Game of Love and Deception: The Billionaire's Ex Wife
Chapter 44: This time will be different

Chapter 44: This time will be different

"Molita?" she blurted, nearly dropping the bag in her hands.

"Oh my God, Ashley!" Molita’s eyes widened in surprise before her face broke into a bright smile. The two women hugged tightly. "Where have you been? You look amazing!" she gushed.

Ashley chuckled, her gaze drifting to the auburn-haired woman standing beside Molita. Forcing an awkward smile, she waited for an introduction.

"Oh, forgive me, both of you!" Molita said quickly. "Rebekah, this is Ashley. Ashley, this is Rebekah—my friend and soon-to-be Mrs. Dudley," she added, practically squealing.

Rebekah blushed, smiling shyly. She was used to Molita announcing her engagement to anyone willing to listen, and it always amused her.

Ashley’s eyes widened. "Your brother is getting married?"

"Of course! Some goddess finally swept him off his feet."

Rebekah’s blush deepened as she playfully smacked Molita’s arm. It was obvious the two had a great bond. Then again, Molita had a way of making everyone around her feel like family—unless she disliked you, which, most of the time, was your own fault.

"Congratulations, Rebekah. I’m happy for you," Ashley said, turning her attention to the beautiful, freckled woman.

"Thank you," Rebekah replied sweetly.

"I’ve missed you," Molita said, drawing Ashley’s attention back to her. She then leaned in and whispered something to Rebekah, who, after bidding Ashley goodbye, excused herself and headed into the supermarket.

When Rebekah was gone, Molita spoke again, this time with a hint of sadness in her voice. "After you left, I tried contacting you so many times, but your number was never connecting. Still, I was glad you finally left that scumbag."

Her eyes widened at how bluntly Molita referred to him. Ashley had broken her SIM card the very day she left Christian’s house, not wanting to be contacted by anyone from her past.

"Gosh, I’m sorry, but you know I hated him. You deserved so much better," Molita added in defense.

Ashley smiled. "You don’t have to apologize for speaking the truth. Christian was an asshole. And I missed you too—you were one of the real friends I had," she replied.

Molita beamed. "Me too! Maybe we can reconnect, you know? Go out for coffee and catch up on everything we’ve missed," she suggested.

Ashley forced a smile, unsure if she wanted to relive all the misfortunes that had befallen her since then.

"That wouldn’t be bad," she replied anyway, typing her new contact into Molita’s phone before asking, "How’s Gabriel?"

Molita rolled her eyes dramatically. "He’s fine, but still wrapped around Christian’s finger. I wish they’d stop being friends already."

Ashley laughed. She had never been able to tell whether Molita’s hatred for Christian stemmed solely from how he treated her or if there was another reason. Either way, Christian was easy to hate, especially if you weren’t stupid and blind like her former self.

After chatting a little longer, both women bid each other goodbye.

"I’ll call you once I get home," Molita said before finally heading into the supermarket to join Rebekah.

Ashley watched her walk away with a small smile. She never expected to be happy reconnecting with anyone from her past—especially someone who had known Christian. But Molita had always been very sweet to her, even when she stubbornly ignored her advice to leave christian. God, she had been so foolish.

A few miles after leaving the supermarket, Ashley couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being followed. A particular red car had been behind her for too long. Her heart pounded as she kept glancing at it in the rearview mirror.

Deciding to test her suspicion, she picked up speed, passing some cars on the road. Yet the same car remained behind her. Her grip on the wheel tightened.

After some time, she pulled over to see if the car would stop too. But to her relief—or confusion—it drove past her without hesitation.

Ashley let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Had she just been paranoid?

Shaking off the unease, she started her engine again and pulled back onto the road, making a brief stop at Novaspire General Hospital.

There, she visited Cassie, a little girl in the oncology ward. Ashley had first met her back when she used to distribute Lorenzo’s flower gifts to the hospital. Even after Lorenzo stopped sending gifts to her office, she continued sending Cassie "Get Well Soon" flowers.

Despite looking around four years old, Cassie still reminded Ashley so much of Vanessa. It broke her heart that someone so young was already battling cancer.

During her last visit, Cassie had asked for coloring books and crayons. With her mother’s approval, Ashley had bought them for her today.

Now driving home, she couldn’t stop smiling, remembering how Cassie’s face had lit up when she saw the coloring books—especially the Disney princess bedtime storybooks she hadn’t been expecting.

*******

Charlotte was in her office, sipping leisurely from a glass of wine when she was informed that George had arrived at the brothel and wanted to see her.

A sly smile spread across her face as she told the girls to let him in. George entered a minute later, kissing her on both cheeks in greeting before taking the seat across from her.

"Pleasure to see you again, Chaz," he said after Charlotte poured him a glass of whiskey upon request.

"You know the pleasure is mine. I’m glad you agreed to come," Charlotte replied, leaning back in her seat.

"So, what’s the plan? How and when do you intend to get me my girl?"

"I already have plans for the how, but you’ll need to be a little patient. You know I can’t just go there and kidnap her like that. I have to be careful," she explained.

She had already arranged for someone to keep tabs on Ashley by getting into the company she managed as an employee. A little digging after Katelyn’s call the other day had confirmed that Katelyn was right—Ashley was now running a powerful company.

But that was where the problem lay—getting them inside. Still, she would figure it out. She always did.

"So what do you need from me now?" George asked, his tone laced with impatience. He wanted Ashley, and every delay tested his patience. The last attempt had failed—he wouldn’t tolerate another misstep.

"I just want to be sure that you’ll resume giving me your support. As for my niece, leave her to me." She wasn’t just interested in getting Ashley now, she was interested in the company she ran.

George narrowed his eyes at her. "That was the same thing you told me last time, Chaz. I’m not ready for games."

"This time will be different, I promise you," Charlotte said, her voice firm.