Game of Love and Deception: The Billionaire's Ex Wife
Chapter 53: Only him

Chapter 53: Only him

Ashley had arrived home from work about thirty minutes ago. After taking a shower, she headed downstairs to have dinner with Michelle. It was their last dinner together before Michelle traveled the next day to visit her grandfather in the hospital.

As soon as she reached the ground floor, a maid informed her that she had a package. Ashley followed her to the living room where it had been kept, wondering what it could be and who had sent it.

"Over there, ma’am," the girl pointed to two white boxes beside one of the couches, then walked away.

Ashley approached the boxes slowly and cautiously, both anxious and curious. They didn’t look suspicious or anything, but something told her to be careful.

Using her long nails, she dug into the first box and opened it. Her jaw dropped when she saw the many dresses inside, each sealed in a transparent polybag and perfectly piled. The first bag had a note attached.

She pulled it out and read. Her cheeks flushed with an emotion she didn’t want to name. "I managed to guess your size, but I couldn’t tell which color you’d prefer for tomorrow."

Ashley instantly knew the dresses were from Lorenzo Grey—her new fake boyfriend, or whatever he was. It was ridiculous, and frustrating. It had barely been more than a week since they began dating, and yet she was already getting those unwanted butterflies whenever his name came up. She had been trying not to be affected, but it seemed impossible.

Christian had stormed into her office the very next day after her relationship with Lorenzo went public, barking like a rabid dog. She suspected she wasn’t the only one he’d paid a visit to. The thought alone made her feel good—he was out there fooling himself.

Such a stupid idiot.

Kayla must be so embarrassed, which made it feel even better.

Ashley set the note aside and took out the first dress. It was a long, red dress with silver shimmer around the neck and sleeves. It was stunning. She placed it on the couch and continued to pull out the rest.

Twenty-five dresses. Twenty-five. Different styles, colors, both short and long. Some scandalous.

And from just a glance, anyone could tell they were fucking designers.

"This is ridiculous," she muttered.

It was a thoughtful gesture, sure—but for one event? Why so many dresses?

Why hadn’t he just called to ask her preferred color? Why did he always have to do things in such an outrageous way?

Her heart raced as she admired them, unsure whether to accept the gift or not. But how could she refuse it without hurting his feelings? She guessed she’d have to figure that out.

Ashley turned to the second box, wondering if it also contained more dresses or something else. She punctured a hole to open it but paused when Michelle entered, drawing her attention.

"Hey, darling. I hope I didn’t keep you waiting?" her grandma asked, walking toward her. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw the dresses spread around.

"Good evening, Grandma," Ashley greeted.

Michelle nodded but her attention remained on the clothes. "These are beautiful," she complimented. "I’m glad you finally got the time to go shopping again. I was starting to worry that all you do is work."

"Grandma, I didn’t buy them. They’re gifts," Ashley replied.

Michelle’s eyes widened again, then narrowed teasingly. Ashley instantly regretted saying that. She would definitely guess they were from Lorenzo—and Michelle hadn’t stopped talking about him since the interview with Imelda Rose.

"Are they from Margaret’s son? I knew he was a sweet one... and has eyes for gorgeous things," Michelle teased, eyes gleaming as she picked up one of the dresses. "Is it for another date?"

"Date?" Ashley repeated, surprised. "Of—of course not!" she stammered, to her dismay.

Now Michelle was grinning with a knowing look. "This is the same way you reacted the other time when I mentioned that he likes you."

Ashley narrowed her eyes. "What way, Grandma? I’m not acting in any new way."

"You get jumpy every time I mention his name. I used to act that way whenever anyone talked about your grandfather around me," Michelle continued, her gaze softening as she drifted into memory.

A longing smile curved her lips. Ashley felt a tug of sadness for her. She wanted to reassure her that her grandpa would be fine—that he’d be back soon. But she wasn’t entirely sure.

Michelle interrupted her thoughts again. "Love is beautiful, darling. You don’t have to keep denying what you feel for a person, especially when it’s a good feeling."

Ashley flushed deep red. Even her feet tickled from embarrassment, like a child caught doing something wrong.

"Grandma, Lorenzo and I are none of that," she blurted out before realizing it.

Michelle dropped the dress and turned to her fully, her eyes so intense that Ashley shifted uncomfortably on her feet. She wanted to explain—but what would she even say?

That she once loved him, that he left without a reason, breaking her heart—and now he was back to break it again?

Michelle suddenly spoke again, softly, "One day, you’ll be everything you want... just like your grandpa and I."

Ashley’s heart skipped at her words. The certainty in her voice, the manner she uttered the words like it was some kind of prophecy–it made her nervous. No, afraid. She swallowed hard, suddenly lost for words.

"The food is starting to get cold. We better go now," Michelle said, breaking the tension as she started towards the dining room.

Ashley exhaled, grateful the conversation was over. "I’ll join you shortly. Let me tidy this up."

She watched Michelle’s retreating figure with a small smile and a swirl of emotions. When she first came to this house, she’d seen grandparents as just more enemies. She even planned to run away after earning enough and finding her daughter. But now? She wasn’t so sure anymore. She still desperately wanted to find her daughter, but leaving this new family didn’t feel so right anymore.

She sighed and turned back to the second box.

Inside were different heels and a few flats, varying slightly in size—but most would fit. She tested a silver heel on her foot and was stunned by how perfectly it fit.

"This man," she murmured in awe. "What game are you playing now?"

There was no doubt he was trying to impress her. And she shouldn’t be feeling all these butterflies—but she was.

She knew this relationship was a mistake from the beginning. Despite hating him, she couldn’t deny he went out of his way to do things for her—things that made her want to forget the animosity between them.

But her smile faded when she reached the bottom of the box... and found a document.

Her own copy of the "fake relationship contract."

Ashley swallowed hard, her muscles tensing. She had read the soft copy from the email he sent the day she left his penthouse after the drunken night. But seeing it on paper again, her stomach knotted. The exclusivity clause stood out—a reminder that, even if temporary, she belonged to him again.

Only him.

She suddenly furrowed her brows as her eyes caught something she hadn’t noticed in the soft copy.

"At the end of the contract period, Party B (Miss Ashley Flynn) will receive a bonus of $1M in cash or property value for full compliance."

"Fuck him. Fuck his money," she muttered. "He must be delusional to think I’d want any of it. Especially when I don’t even know what exactly he does to make it."

All she wanted was her daughter, nothing more from him.

"The food is going to turn completely cold if you don’t come join me, sweetheart," Michelle’s voice called out.

"On my way now, Grandma," Ashley shouted a response.

She quickly shoved the document back into the box, arranging the shoes to cover it, and then headed to the dining room.