Chapter 2 People Change

The marriage between Kevan and her had never been based on love. Ashley knew it deep down, which was why ending things quickly felt like the only sensible choice.

She had spent two years secretly loving Kevan, followed by three years of marriage-five years in total chasing a man who never once truly looked her way. She finally realized she couldn't keep wasting her life on a hopeless pursuit.

She wasn't going to let herself fall any deeper.

Kevan reacted as if she had just told him the funniest joke he had heard all year. A mocking grin tugged at his lips. "Ashley, stop playing around. Without me, how would you even afford half the luxury things you flaunt? You think you can buy million-dollar jewelry on your own?"

Ashley lifted her chin, her voice steady. "Kevan, I'm your wife, not some woman you're sponsoring."

Wife?

His expression darkened, a warning hidden in his tone. "Don't push your luck. I'm not in the mood for your drama."

He slammed the door and stormed out.

Watching him leave, Ashley exhaled and murmured to herself, "I'm not being dramatic. I'll draw up the divorce papers, sign them, and send them straight to his office."

Right after she walked out, thunder cracked, and heavy rain followed. She opened her umbrella, grabbed her suitcase, and stepped into the storm without looking back. She hailed a taxi and headed for her best friend's place.

When Rosanna Mills heard the news, she cursed Kevan for several minutes straight before asking, "Why divorce him now? You swore you'd love him till the end."

Few people knew the depth of Ashley's feelings, but Rosanna knew every bit of it.

Ashley let out a weary sigh. "People change, Rosanna. I have too."

Rosanna wasn't satisfied with that. "Don't give me vague answers. Tell me, what really happened?"

Bitterness rose in Ashley's voice. "He cheated on me, on our third anniversary, with the woman he actually cares about."

It wasn't the first time Kevan and Lisette had been spotted together. Dinner here, a studio visit there-innocent enough. But this time, they went straight to a hotel.

Ashley played a video for Rosanna, and the audio alone was enough to reopen every wound.

Watching that, Rosanna nearly exploded. "That man must have dust in his eyes! Lisette looks plain next to you, and she doesn't have an ounce of your charm. By the way, how much did you take from him for cheating? You did get compensation, right?"

Ashley's shoulders drooped. "I won't take a thing."

Rosanna's jaw dropped. She shook Ashley's shoulders frantically. "Are you insane? He betrayed you... He should walk away empty-handed!"

Ashley shook her head. "Dragging out a property dispute will only slow the divorce. And it's not like I'm walking away with nothing. He's thrown plenty of business toward my father over the years."

Even the smallest Ford Group contract meant enormous profit.

Rosanna paused, realizing Ashley had a point. She squeezed her hand gently. "So, what now? What do you want to do after the divorce?"

Ashley already knew her answer. During the drive, she made up her mind to focus on her career again. "My heart might be shattered, but my future won't be. I'm going to chase the dream I gave up three years ago."

Before marriage, Ashley had been a highly sought-after talent manager. Several stars rose to fame under her care.

She once vowed to push her top two clients to win Best Actor and Best Actress. But that plan was derailed the night she got tangled up with Kevan.

One night of mistake turned into a headline storm. Cameras surrounded them, asking how long they had been together.

Kevan, who had just stepped into his role as head of the Ford Group and was still trying to steady himself, had no choice but to go along with it.

So, that very day, they signed the marriage papers, with no ceremony, no flowers, and not even rings.

Seeing Ashley trying to realign her life and throw herself back into work, Rosanna pulled up her phone and scrolled through the latest industry posts. "Hey, look. Preston Lloyd from Galaxy Entertainment is recruiting managers. You used to work with them all the time. Want me to call and get you an appointment?"

Ashley quickly declined, shaking her head. "No. I'm not planning to go back to my old company."

She had left that place on a sour note, the fallout messier than she liked to admit.