Chapter 3 Can't force love

Ashley sighed and dropped the papers on the bed. She got up and walked to the dresser.

"You are so dumb." She said to her reflection. Her eyes were all smudged with her makeup due to her crying. She looked thinner than usual. Although she tried to keep herself always looking beautiful. Constant visitations to her hairdresser, body treatments and luxury outfits. All in an attempt for her husband to notice her. To make him remember that she is the young girl he knew and was always there for.

Ashley gave a dry laugh, realizing all that was in vain. Those were not the things that would get a man's attention. A man's attention is gotten only when he wants to give it. And to whoever he wanted to give.

Ashley recalled how many men in her college days wanted her attention. But she turned them down, all of them. Her heart belongs to only one person, Zion.

She was keeping herself for him while he was away to college in another city. She had always dreamt of becoming a medical doctor. However, all her dreams were pushed aside when she chose Zion over medicine. It was a course that she had to leave the city to attend in another city. But not wanting to be far away from Zion, she didn't. She settled to study chemistry in the college they have there.

***

A knock came on Ashley's bedroom door.

"Come in." She said, She knew it wasn't Zion. He never knocked and waited for her permission to walk in. He just barges in whenever he pleases.

Thinking of her husband, she hasn't seen him since he stormed out on her. That was three days ago.

"Ma'am, I brought you some food. You haven't been eating for the past few days. I am worried you are going to harm yourself." The lady that walked in said. She is the head of the household staff.

"Thank you for your concern, Mrs Scooter." Ashley said, trying to muster a smile. Seeing the variety of dishes on the try made her realize she really needed the food. She wasn't going to survive on the energy drink that she has been consuming for the past three days.

"Thank you, Rose. It is at least good to know that someone cares about me in this house." Ashley said with a sad smile.

Miss Scooter looked at Ashley with a level of pity in her eyes. She is well aware of all that has been going on for the past three years. She worked for Zion's family. However, Zion's mother insisted on Rose to move in with the newly wed. She is trusted and has done a lot for the Thompson's family.

"Mrs Thompson, I have known you and your family to be a constant guest to the Thompson's and very close too. I know you are a good person and you are nice. You make it easy for everyone to like you. But you cannot force someone to love you, no matter how good you are to them. Or how you even feel about them." The elderly woman said in a soft voice.

"I think I am starting to understand that now." Ashley said.

"It is said that, when you love something or someone, you should let it go. If it comes back to you, then it is meant to be." Mrs Scooter added. She has been watching the couple closely but has never interfered with their affairs. But she felt it was necessary to give Ashley a little motherly advice. So that she can make a decision that won't hurt her any further.

"You are right, Rose." Ashley said. "Thank you." She added with a smile.

Mrs Scooter did not leave the room until she made sure Ashley ate a good portion of her meal. She put the plates together and was about to leave the room. She then stopped at the door.

"Have you made a decision on what to do next?" Mrs Scooter asked.

Ashley gave her a smile before nodding. "I have." Sha said.

Mrs Scooter bowed a little before exiting the room.

Ashley has never sat and thought about her marriage to Zion Thompson the way she did for the past three days. All she had done in the past three years was trying to be the perfect wife.

She started to receive photos and messages from unknown numbers. That was when began to confront Zion about it. That was when things began to get out of hand. It was around the same time that he began to talk about divorce. It turns out following his mistress to where she lives, Which turns out Zion is paying the rent was his last straw. That was what led to him making a big move about the divorce.

Ashley finally had the courage to take action. She got up, had a long bath. After two days of not having any. She looked at herself in the mirror. She looked thinner than she did two days ago.

"Just sad and pathetic." She said, Somewhat pitying herself and at the same time angry at herself.

She got dressed and sat to go through the divorce papers. She came across where it is stated that after the divorce, she will be given twenty million dollars.

She scoffed at that. She wasn't poor, nor her parents. She didn't need his money. What she wanted from him was obvious, money can't buy it.

She decided to write Zion a note.

My dearest Zion,

I have loved you since before I knew what love is. I have always thought you felt the same. Or I choose to believe you felt the same about me.

You have always been there when our parents are away on business trips. You are somewhat the big brother I never had. You helped me with my homework and always had my back in school. I think all the little things were what made me fall in love with you, without realizing I did.

I was finally able to tell you how I really felt about you when you were leaving for college. I was still a minor then, but I knew you would understand.

You gave me a lot of care but in return, I repaid you by trapping you in a loveless marriage. That was very selfish of me. I am sorry for that.

I have signed the divorce papers. When you get this, I will have left the house already. For once, I will do something that will make you happy. I hope so.

I wish you all the best with you and Jennifer. I am sorry I came between the two of you and what you have. This time around, I am not being selfish. Please find it in your heart to forgive me.

Take care and Goodbye, Zion.

Love,

Ashley.