Chapter 2 Divorce papers

"Why do you have to do this, Zion? Did I do something wrong?" Ashley asked through sobs.

Zion stood with the papers in his hand. His face remained with an expression difficult to understand, even by Ashley.

"Are you seriously asking me that, Ash?" Zion said with utter surprise.

It's the next day. After seeing the divorce papers the previous night, Ashley couldn't get much sleep. She was in a state of denial of reality. To make things worse, Zion didn't spend the night at home. Ashley knew exactly where he was the whole night.

"All I have done for the past three years was to be the perfect wife to you. And that maybe one day you will see it and understand that I love you." Ashley said through sobs.

Zion groaned in frustration.

"Besides, you are the one cheating with that..... Whore, Jennifer." Ashley said with disgust.

"No. That is something you made up in your head. I never cheated. You are the one acting crazy because of her presence." Zion defended.

The Jenifer mentioned is a girl that Zion has dated in college. He brought her back home to introduce her to his family. But unfortunate for Zion, his parents had other plans for him.

The two families had always wanted to make their ties stronger.

So they did everything in their power to make sure Zion married Ashley. Jenifer was forced out of the city because no one will hire her or rent out a place to her. She became frustrated in the city and had to leave. Zion knew it was his father's doing.

Few months ago, Zion finally found a way to bring her back. Now he is the one running the family business and his father has finally retired. He felt he can now do things his way.

"All I ever wanted is your love, Zion. I love you. I can't leave without you." Ashley pleaded. Now she is on her knees.

"Please, Zion. Don't leave me." She added.

Ashley had always looked up to Zion. He was very protective of her while they were younger. He is like the big brother she had. She always mentioned about them getting married and leaving happily ever after. Zion would just smile at her suggestion. He never showed lack of interest in her suggestion.

After highschool, that was when Zion left for college. He shows up when they are on holiday and both of them were still cool back then. But when he graduated, he came home with Jennifer. He let everyone know she is his girlfriend and he intends to marry her.

Ashley was broken from the revelation. All the while, she thought he would come back to her. But he did not.

"No, Ash." Zion shook his head. He pulled her hand away from him and stepped back. "All you have done is trapped me in this loveless marriage for your own selfish interests. But guess what? Now I no longer need anyone to toss me around, doing things I wouldn't want to do. I am the boss now."

The only reason Zion agreed to marry Ashley was because his father threatened him. He threatened to disown him and disinherit him from the family's wealth and business. These are things that are rightfully his. Also, that was something he has been trained for all his life. So he didn't have much choice but had to oblige.

Ashley sat on the floor helplessly. She continued to sob. The divorce topic was something that Zion has been bringing up lately. Especially since a year ago. But she never thought he was actually going to go through with it.

"Where is Ashley I used to know? The girl that was independent and strong?" Zion asked, narrowing his blue-green eyes at her.

"I still am the same Ashley you knew, Zion. You choose not to see me, but your mistress." Ashley answered. Her brown eyes are trying to make him understand her honesty. "All I ever did was try to fight for your love, Zion."

Zion scoffed. "Fight for my love? By confronting an innocent girl and threatening her? Maybe I don't know what love is but I am damn sure that was not it."

"I had to do anything I could to protect my marriage." Ashley defended.

Zion chuckled lightly. "Why would you want to protect something that was never there? This is a one sided love. Because I am sure I don't feel that way about you. So please stop trying to make this difficult and just sign the goddamn papers." He said with an irritating tone.

After that, he stormed out of the room.

All Ashley heard was his heavy footsteps retreating and then the loud banging of the door.

Ashley continued to sob on the floor. She couldn't believe how Zion is so serious about the divorce. He has already signed under his name. It's her's that is remaining to make it real.

Zion is talking about how Ashley has changed into someone else. While in fact, he is the one that has changed.

When they were younger, they were together almost all the time. He was always protecting her from bullies at school. Whenever she is sick, he sits beside her and tries to comfort her. Reading stories to her. Telling her what happened at school and making her laugh in general.

But the current Zion, is as if he was somewhat irritated by her presence. Although he provides for her. Present her with gifts on her birthday and never denied her her desires as his wife.

However, his eyes seem to be cold. He seems never to be happy about all that he does.

Ashley sniffed her tears away. She got up and walked to the beside and looked at the divorce papers. A lot was running through her mind.

She stood there holding the papers, having a flashback of the three years of her marriage to Zion how it had been.