Most Influential Husband At My Feet

Ashley's heart thumped nonstop in her chest even when she was trying so hard to balance her emotions.

She clasped her hands together for a quick prayer but she was interrupted by the familiar footsteps from behind.

Tracing the family doctor to his seat but her attention was on the test result in his hand all through.

"Mrs.McCall..." The doctor said and paused.

Ashley's blood ran cold watching the doctor's neutral face, her breath wavered with the thought of getting ahead of herself. She thought that her husband's absence from home for a long time must have driven her to imagination.

"Congratulations Mrs.McCall, you're two weeks pregnant," the doctor said with a motivating smile as he handed over the test result on the table.

A very sweet feeling exploded in her chest followed by a sigh of relief, excitement spreading to every part of her body.

"Husband would be so proud of me!" she muttered and hurried to her feet.

"Please do not share this with anyone, I want to be the one to announce this good news"

She informed the doctor who responded with a bright smile.

"Easy steps Mrs.McCall," The concerned doctor said.

"Thank you" Cheerful Ashley commented loudly waving the text result behind her.

On getting to the parking lot, She smiled at the driver who had a confused look at the sudden change of her mood.

She settled down the seat and lowered the glass for intake of the fresh air.

What a perfect news to make the night! Ashley's husband has been so busy with work lately that he barely comes home.

From one business trip to another and finally, he was thoughtful enough to make their first wedding anniversary special by abandoning all his work and trips for her.

"What more can I ask for?" She giggled, rubbing her belly gently. She now has a little life growing in there.

Ashley's marriage was a dream come true for her and she's promised never to fuck it up by being useless to the family.

Her husband was her boss at work and a crush of many years. She was happy to know that he had liked her all along too and he didn't care about her background.

When everyone said to him back then not to marry a nobody like Ashley because she was adopted, he ignored them all for love.

Ashley had always thought that it was okay to settle for less considering how she was treated by her own family but Rhett became her haven and since then her family refused to support her.

They went as far as asking her to earn her keep while providing steadily for the stepsister, the real one. But in the house of a kind lover, she found hope.

"Ma'am, is everything okay?" The driver's voice came in and their eyes met immediately from the mirror.

"Is this how pregnancy works?" She mumbled and turned away. The news of the baby, barely some minutes old is already making her feel so overwhelmed.

With a soft sigh, she wiped the tears clinging to her lashes. Even though Ashley will forever remain the adopted daughter of the Roland family, her husband loves her to death.

....... Ashley wasted no time in preparing for dinner the moment she got home. As the Madame of the Great McCall household, she learned a lot about how things should be done. Especially house chores since she was forced to stop working after the wedding.

On the long golden table lies different delicacies of food prepared with love. A satisfied smile lit up her face watching the maids decorate the mansion with rose petals.

With romantic music playing on the low, it's all looking perfect.

"More surprise, more love" she uttered, eyes twinkling in overwhelming anticipation of her husband's reaction.

Ashley picked up the phone to check for her husband's messages but turns out that she was left on read with no reply.

A worried sigh escaped her lips and she decided to call his number but there was no answer. "But his flight should have landed by now" she wondered to herself.

Ashley ended up falling asleep while waiting then with a loud gasp, she woke up from the nightmare she just had.

Tired, she stood up and hurried downstairs to ask him but was told that he hadn't come back home.

"He's working so hard for my sake 'cause I have nothing to contribute to the family... "

she says with guilt and picks up the phone again.

Beep! Beep!

The line got disconnected from the other end twice.

"This is unusual, Rhett would never get me worried"

At that point, she was already thinking in a bad way but then her phone vibrated and a life-changing message popped up on the screen.

"Since you don't know how to keep your man, he is here to be loved by me"

It was as if she was struck by thunder... her heart ceased beating for a slight second and her vision became blurry with the heat arising from inside.

Her phone fell. Trembling and confused. Another beep from the phone made her pick it up again and this time, an address came up on the screen.

With pursed lips, she approached the phone with the screen mirroring her ghostly face.

The address shows the Rolands' family vacation home and she wondered why her husband would be there.

But then she saw that the number belonged to her stepsister.

"No..." She uttered before storming out of the house.

The Vacation House>>

"Rhett! Are you in there?" Like a mad woman, Ashley called out for her husband as she pushed open the large door of the family vacation home.

She hadn't even moved a step when the most horrific scene came into sight. Her step-sister in her husband's warm embrace.

"Husband!" She yelled, voice cracking with uncertainty as salty tears stung her face ready to drop any minute. But to her utmost surprise, Rhett McCall, her beloved husband only turned back casually and flashed her a disgusting look.

"You came right on time," Rhett said simply, his hands resting firmly on Rachel's waist and she in turn linked her arm around him tightly. An evil smirk playing on her lips.

"What's going on here?" Ashley questioned, puzzled.

"Dear sister is blind I guess. I'm the hotshot don't you know? He wants me now and not you" Rachel said boldly, eyes twinkling with mischief.

"I want a divorce, Ashley, I can't do this with you anymore.Grandfather and everyone prefers Rachel over you" he said to her like he was reading a poem.

"What? But we've promised to try our best so why are you changing your mind?"

She cried out hoping to change his mind for whatever reason he might have.

Rachel threw some papers on the center table to divert her attention "We have the papers ready, sign them and let me know how much you'll be needing"

Rachel has always been up to no good but when she went low-key in the past few months, Ashley have gotten too relaxed but now she's scared to the brim because Rachel is the type to mean everything she does.

The floor suddenly felt cold underneath her feet, she had lost her shoes on the way.

"How dare you, Rachel!" Ashley yelled in pain.

"How dare a lowly adopted street cat yell at me? You're getting exactly what you deserve. Who do you think you are to compete for love with me? You forced him to marry you anyway so just disappear and never come back!"

"Honey, let's go home okay? I need to tell you something"

Ashley hurried forward to grab Rhett's hand but he stepped back and walked away instead.

His steps came to a standstill, and her breaths ceased. Rhett tilted his head over his shoulder "You can't return home unless you sign the papers" She blanched.

Ashley fell butt flat to the ground, watching her husband's figure becoming distant.

Tears blurred her vision almost immediately.

"You can't do this to me! We promised to love each other for better and worse" Tears filled her eyes as she looked on.

"The worst is not to cheat on me Ashley, you're a shame to both families"

He spoke and dropped a picture on the floor for her to see.

Ashley couldn't believe her eyes when she saw the ugly pictures scattered on the floor.

The pictures are clear evidence that Rachel had set her up. Ashley had rushed to a hotel after receiving a call from Rachel for help, she was full of hope that she finally considered her family enough to ask for help, only to be trapped in a room full of men who tried to rape her.

With guilt, Ashley crawled to her husband's feet but he snatched himself away.

"You can die for all I care" Hearing that, her whole world came crumbling down. They've known each other for 6 years but he was quick to wish her death... along with his baby.

Ashley didn't dare to return home after what happened so she went to the family house hoping to find justice and report Rachel.

With the divorce papers tightly squeezed in hand, she walked into the house and immediately felt chills all over... Looking chaotic and miserable, she proceeded into the house.

She saw her first, her foster mother- she clenched her fists hoping to say something but she failed.

"Mother, I've been cheated by Rachel. She seduced my husband"

Finally finding the right words, she reported naively. Hoping to get more attention, she tried to explain further when Rachel bumped into her from behind and she stumbled.

Ashley was surprised to see Rachel's undisguised mockery as she walked past to stand beside their Mother who then burst into a peal of laughter as she muttered words into her ears.

Her eyes welled up with tears watching the man of the house, her father remain seated with a calm gait as he continued sipping his green tea.

"Father please say something" She pleaded desperately.

"Why are you here to cause trouble, Ashley? I heard from Mr.Rhett himself that he got tired of you and he's coming to propose to your sister instead"

Mrs.Roland said, her claim bringing Ashley's world to a sudden halt.

"Am I not your daughter?" She questioned with a trembling voice.

"That's not important right now. You can't blame him for being wise. His grandfather won't take it easy with him if he can't get our support. It's only right for people to know their places... don't you think?"

She replied with a sly smile on her lips as she exchanged looks with her daughter.

"Please help me out Mother, I can't live without him I'm carrying his child!" Ashley announced eyes bloody red with the hope that the woman might take her side for once.

Mr.Roland dropped his cup of tea in shock.

"How dare you lie about a baby! Do you think anything will change?" Rachel stood up fuming badly, with her fingers almost poking Ashley's belly.

"It's the truth, Rachel" She immediately went on her knees, rubbing her hands together to ask for help.

"This must be so hard on you my dear... you should sit here, I'll make a call quick and get it sorted out" Mrs.Roland's said with a pretentious tone and crouched down before her.

Ashley bought her pretentious act and her kind voice made her burst into more tears. Her foster Mother didn't hesitate to dry her face with dry clothes.

"What are you doing Mom?! Mr.Rhett would soon be here to propose to me. I don't want any bad luck around here" Rachel whined.

"Are you really pregnant?" Mr.Roland questioned her with a puzzled look.

"Yes Father" She replied innocently with a tight grip on her dress. Not long after, Mr. and Mrs. Roland went into the room to talk and Ashley was left with Rachel and if looks can kill... Some minutes later, Mrs.Roland came back with a cup of juice for Ashley.

"Have this cup of juice to calm your nerves down my dear" On a normal day, she would have been hesitant to believe such gestures from them but the emotional stress she was under convinced her that she could be loved by them.

For the first time in years, her foster mother cared and even wiped her tears with her dress.

Ashley happily gulped down the juice and barely a minute later, she felt a sharp pain down her belly which made her lose balance from the chair. The divorce papers were scattered across the floor.

"Mother... Father... please help... me" She cried out in pain. Her eyes caught the red heels clinking towards her, it was Rachel! With her arms crossed over her chest, her mouth curved in a smile.

"I trust my mother. She would never choose a fake over the real gem of the household" she giggled.

"Did you poison me, mother? Why?" Realization setting in.

"No my dear, if you ask me, I have nothing to gain from your death. I just need the baby gone to make things easy for your dear sister."

"You should stop causing more trouble, Ashley. Sign the papers and you will stop hurting" The only male voice in the room added, her father supports this as well.

"And I just got off the call with Mr.Rhett, turns out he has no interest in that bastard baby of yours"

With time, she could no longer differentiate between the voices, she was losing herself.

At the thought of dying with her innocent baby, Ashley became paralyzed with fear. Her chest constricted and it was difficult to breathe.

The thought of her husband punishing her this much over a rumor without hearing her side of the story? It hurts to the bone.

As if that wasn't enough, Rachel dragged Ashley across the floor to where the divorce papers were, every movement inflicting deadly damage to her body.

She threw her a pen and with her blurred vision, she signed the papers.

"Please, the antidote..." She choked on blood.

"Security!" Rachel's stern voice filled the air.

"I have exposed your hypocrisy, dear sister! If not for Mr.Rhett, the entire city would have watched your shameful actions with those men in the hotel room.

Someone like you don't deserve to have the last name of Mr.Rhett not to mention our very magnificent last name"

"She's right. From now on, you're no longer a part of the family. I disown you, Ashley. Find your way" Mr.Roland added.

"That's not true... she lied. I went there to..." Ashley stuttered weakly but she was cut off.

"Enough with the excuses. So shameless of you to think that you can only support your husband by selling yourself. It's a good thing he divorced you"

And with that, She could no longer hear their rants. She was beginning to lose consciousness and if by mistake she died there, nobody would find out.

With the little strength left in her, She stood up and ran out of the mansion in pain and fear.

*****

Thunderstorms struck the dark dense sky and heavy raindrops started to pour. The heavy rain was too strong for her frail figure and she tripped on the slippery ground and bruised her legs.

Ashley clutched her belly as tears trickled down her cheeks unfailingly. The road had stopped flowing with cars and there was no one to call for help.

The quiet streets made it seem like she had sinned to walk by this time of the night. In one night, it all ended in tears.

Her marriage and hope of a new family. With the rain hitting harshly on her pale face, Ashley scoffed in defeat and carefully turned her body to face the sky.

"It's not too bad to die like a stray cat... there's no difference as I was abandoned by everyone too" she muttered subconsciously.

With the last intake of breath, Ashley closed her eyes when she saw light from the oncoming car.

Silence rang in her head... ready to take the pain but then a loud screech made her body tremble.

Realizing that the car must have stopped for her, regrets set in. Her blurry vision caught three figures rushing towards her under the rain.

"Am I late my dear... I'm so sorry. Let's go home now to the wealthy life you deserve"

An old feminine voice came unto her as she lifted her into her embrace.

"What's going on? Who are you?" she asked wearily.

"The old lady's missing heiress has been found," Another voice says over the phone.

5 years later>>

"Men are scum! Anywhere you plan to destroy one, don't forget to invite me"

Ashley Gu commented with a devilish smile, ending her interview with a fierce look.

A brief silence followed after her comment but then a cracked laughter soon broke the silence in the room making her screw her brows in mild annoyance.

"Dear viewers, and that's your final piece of advice from the successful boss lady."

The host said with a broad smile and continued.

"We've heard the news of how funny you are and you just don't disappoint ma'am" The host appraised jokingly but her smile was wiped off in sudden horror when she met with Ashley's murderous gaze.

That look of fear is all courtesy of the rumor about her being feisty and strict.

"Cut! Thank you so much for working hard"

Another of the team members said loudly to save his colleague and the room became heavy with clapping. Ashley unlinked her bossy sitting posture and left the setup immediately.

She was welcomed by her assistant who rushed forward with a cup of her favorite coffee, a black fashion glass, and a file.

Ashley didn't stop walking and the poor man didn't dare stop as well. With a brown overcoat on her fashion outfit, all in wonderful harmony with her milky skin. Her long legs are in perfect synchronicity.

She stopped briefly to check herself from the mirror attached to the broadcasting building.

"I look perfect! I don't regret buying this black stiletto" she said with a smirk.

"You have a brunch date in 10 minutes Miss and then you'll be..." Her assistant started...

"I'll be going to the office first," Ashley cut him off before he could finish explaining her schedule.

"What? But... they have not been informed of..." he uttered in a shocked voice fading almost immediately with a guilt-stricken expression.

"Do I need permission to enter my office now, Mr.Fred?" Ashley removed her glasses, her brown eyes glistening with the morning sun.

Despite the beautiful look, it only takes a second to reveal her merciless look.

Mr.Fred looked down and mumbled some words he didn't expect her to hear but she did, unfortunately for him.

"Find your way to the company," She said, snatching the car keys from him. She locked the doors before driving away at full speed and abandoning him on the spot.

OFFICE

Ashley swerved her Mercedes down the road of the biggest company in the country; The Gu dynasty.

Mercedes being an expression of elegance, it sure suites her well.

She arrived at the company in no time and honorably shut the car door as she walked along the pathway of the parking lot. The moment she stepped into the building, the air grew cold and harsh. Her presence commands attention.

The click of her heels echoed through the space, as heads turned to catch a glimpse of her. All bowing in respect and apprehension.

She's a woman of grace and of course, her confidence exuded power, and every move seemed deliberate.

Her piercing gaze surveyed the room, and the atmosphere shifted as employees straightened in their seats, exchanging nervous glances.

Everyone knows Ashley Gu is high on respect it's obvious from the undeniable sense of apprehension in the air, for she was a force to be reckoned with.

Excluding the rumor, her success was undeniable, and her determination was the very foundation of the empire she had built with the help of the highly respected Madame Gu of New City. Her biological mother.

"Code red, code red," One of the employees said trying to warn others but her brisk walk was faster than the poor man's alert.

She's not oblivious to their code word to announce her arrival and she scoffed, rolling her eyes.

As she walked past them, they became quiet and frozen.

"Did you watch the interview today? Gosh, the frozen witch was scary!"

"Thank goodness we won't be seeing her until evening"

"What about her joke about despising men? I bet it wasn't a joke" "Really?"

"Of course! Why else would she still be staying under the old lady's roof with a five-year-old child and unmarried? Men must have done her bad"

The gossip continued at the height of it making Ashley halt her steps with fists clenched in irritation.

"The two young masters of the house adore her so much, I wondered why they didn't take over the Madame business and left everything to her"

"They must be so excited to see their long-lost sister. Also, they each have successful careers going on so that explains it" Soon a fast approaching footsteps came from behind interrupting the gossip moment.

She turned to see Mr.Fred gasping for breath and he waved his hands to call the attention of the girls talking about the devil standing behind them.

When they saw their cold-looking lady standing with a neutral face, they gasped in horror and disbelief.

"Rose Kay, Jane Lockfield, and Sarah Engi" you're all fired. She stated and walked out of the scene.

The girls squeezed their hair in regret as they fell to the floor crying tears of blood.

Ashley got to her office and started going through the pile of documents.

"Ma'am, this can wait for later but everyone is waiting for you" Mr.Fred, her assistant informed.

"Mother asked me to check out a particular offer from the blue house and I have to give her my opinion at the brunch meeting"

"Oh! That's file number 056" he helped.

"This offer came from the governor's wife so I must not disappoint her and her mother,"

She said with a serious look still flipping through the document.

"De-McCall" reading out the company's address on paper, a flush crept up her cheekbones.

Surprised, she hurriedly typed on the computer to confirm her doubt only to see the email staring back at her from the screen.

"That liar!" she muttered. Ashley never expected to see any traces of her ex-husband ever again but turns out he's not scared to send a proposal to her company.

Ashley took her purse off the table and stood up to leave but a heavy headache descended upon her at once, making her feel dizzy.

She never thought the news of her ex-husband could ever come to move her this much after many years.

"Are you okay Miss?" Mr.Fred asked with concern.

"Let's go to the brunch meeting" She informed with composure.

The minute she stepped out of the building, a cheerful voice sounded,

"Mommy!"

A handsome-looking young prince ran into her embrace. He's full of life and vitality. Her bundle of joy. "What are you doing here Kristian?"

Her frozen face immediately melted into a soft smile. Only her five-year-old son could have that effect on her.

"I was pulled out of class for having a fever so I'll be joining the family brunch" he explained with a wink.

With a huff, Ashley over to address him "If you are sick then you should be in bed receiving treatment. Didn't grandmother find you suspicious? You and your tricks" She giggled as she pulled his cheek playfully.

"If you continue doing that, you will wear down my perfect skin Mommy," Kristian said with a proud smile as he retreated from his mother.

Ashley planted a kiss on his forehead, held his hand, and walked to the car together.

As the car approached the family resort, Ashley sighed for the umpteenth time. Her brows became weary with worries about her son and the decision she'd have to make.

She wasn't ready but the moment had come knocking so it was only right to make them all pay!