As I walked out of the bar, my legs gave up, and I dropped on my knees. The pain was suffocating, and it dulled my senses. My vision blurred, and I couldn't look properly.

“I have to go to the hospital,” I murmured, trying to walk to the hospital when I almost crashed into a car, but a hand pulled me from behind.

“ARE YOU TRYING TO DIE?”

I fell to his chest, unable to balance myself.

“Ashley?”

Did he know me? I managed to look up for a moment when I saw Asher.

Asher Parker, the CEO of Fortune Corp Company. I had met him a few times while I helped Ace deal with other businessmen. He was Ace’s enemy. They were business competitors, and were never on good terms. And, I— I had only met him when Ace wanted to avoid him, or when I stopped their fights.

I frowned, and tried to push him away, and walk but I ended up falling into his arms again.

“Don't move,” he said, pulling me closer. Strange, I felt relieved and relaxed in his arms. His voice was cold, but I could hear a strange gentleness from it which comforted me.

“Hng,” I cried out as the pain kicked in again, and I wrapped him tighter, wincing in pain.

“How the fuck does your husband take care off you?”

I laughed at his words as tears dropped from my eyes. “He is busy with his ex, no, his true lover, and his friend right now.”

He frowned as he pulled me up in his arms when I shook in pain. “What are you doing?”

“Can you walk?”

I went silent, my senses were dull and I barely had any strength left.

“Strange. You don't seem to drink much.”

“Take me to hospital…” I murmured slowly and let a tear drop as I heard him, and soon, my consciousness faded.

*****

As I woke up, I found myself still in Asher’s arms. I tried to push him away as I watched him carry me on the way to the doctor's.

“Don't be embarrassed. You fainted right now so, don't be strenuous.”

I took a deep breath, and stopped saying a word to him. It was futile.

All this time, he didn't let go off me, and continued to care for me. It felt as if he was Ace, my husband. But, it was funny, my husband was with his ex at this moment while I was accompanied by his enemy.

I could hear the gossips among the patients, and nurses, taking us as a couple, but I paid no attention. Soon, the doctor came to check us up with my reports.

“I don't know what's happening but your report seems off. I'd recommend you to go through some scans.”

My lips parted, and I hesitated for a moment. “There is no need. I'm pregnant.”

The doctor’s lips widened. “Oh, this is sweet!” he paused for a moment, before adding, “but, this report still doesn't seem to match. It's best if you check your body for yourself, and your baby.”

I heaved a sigh. “I wasn't finished, doctor. I have gastric cancer.”

The doctor's face paled, and went silent.

“What the heck?” Asher asked in surprise.

“I… I'm sorry.”

“It's fine.”

“Well, can your husband sign the paperwork?”

“He isn't my husband.” I paused for a minute, before adding, “Neither my boyfriend, nor my family member. And… I'm divorcing my husband soon.”

The doctor blankly nodded in a loss of words, and gave me the paperwork, which I signed without taking another look. “Can I meet Dr. Smith, right now?”

“Yeah, he's free.”

I smiled, getting up, my hands still tied with the saline as I staggered myself at his office. Asher followed me behind quietly.

Just as I was entering, I turned towards him. “Can you come with me?”

He looked at me wide-eyed when I shrugged. “I don't want to go through all of this alone…”

I was about to enter when he grabbed my hands and nodded, before pushing the door open.

“Miss Ashley?” the doctor asked in surprise as we entered.

“Doctor, I've thought about it. I'll go with the treatment.” I paused for a moment before adding, “I'll abort the baby.”

We didn't stay inside for long, I just let him know the change of my decision.

As I walked out of the hospital, Asher finally said, “What are you planning to do now?”

“Divorce.” I said with no emotion.

I had given up everything for this month. Eight years. Eight years of my entire youth, I spent on him, never stopped loving him. I was the one who helped him with his company, when no one was here for him. I was also the one taking care of his family. I even went against my family just to marry him, but in the end, I was abandoned. Just her coming back, and he was ready to leave behind everything we did. In the end, my parents, and brother were correct.

Asher broke my thoughts as he just politely took my hand, and went to the garage where his car was parked.

“Does he know?” he finally spoke as we got inside.

I shook my head. “Funny thing, except for my doctor, you're the second to know.”

He frowned. I could see the pity he felt for me in his eyes.

“I planned to tell him today, but it seems like I had finally woken up from a long dream today. I'm happy, look. He can finally be with the one he loves.”

He stopped, and cast a glare. He didn't say a word, but I immediately stopped what I was saying.

Asher drove me back home, and as I got out, I saw Ace, and his friends coming inside, drunk.

“Look, here she is! After all, she can't be without Ace!”

“Looking at her face makes me disgusted. How did you end up marrying this scheming woman? She's the one who schemed against you both, getting between you and Elena.”

My eyebrows shot up. What did he mean by I came between them?

Ace frowned and walked nearer. “Apologise now for what you did back there, or just get the heck out of my house.”

I sneakered, looking away, holding back the tears.

“What the heck are you doing?” he scorned as I entered inside.

“I'm leaving.” I said disdainfully as I stormed inside.

Hastily, I picked my dresses, jewelleries, and everything that belonged to me, that I bought by myself.

And, it fit all in one bag.

Ace had given me some bags, and some luxurious items, but I was going to take none of them. I wanted to cut him off completely.

But my heart still throbbed when I thought about the photos. Over the years, I created an album, containing every memory of ours, and I couldn't help but look at it for the last time.

It was the last time I comforted myself as I started looking at the photos.

However as I was looking, my eyes fell on a distant album.

“Was this ours too? I don't remember seeing it before.” I asked as I took it out.

The album was neat, no dust has fallen on it. It must have been opened regularly, or recently.

Curiously, I opened the album, and my heart sank looking at the pictures. I gulped, and looked through every page.

It was Ace’s album. All the photos belonged to him, and Elena. Worst, all the places we had been together, and even his favourite restaurant were their date spots. And, it wasn't his favourite restaurant but Elena’s. All along, Ace had just taken me as a substitute.

My heart completely shattered. I laughed seeing the pictures as I placed them back at the same spot.

I had been stupid, ignorant.

Rubbing the tears off my face, I took my bag, and stormed out of the room.

Walking out, I saw Ace, and his friends were still there.

“How do you stay with this woman? Divorce her already. Elena is already back, and she still loves you.”

I laughed. “We're getting a divorce. But, it's me who's divorcing him.”

Ace frowned, massaging his forehead. Where are you going now? What drama is this?”

I didn't reply to him, instead, I said, “My lawyers will soon send you the papers. Please sign them, and be with your sweet Elena.”

Ace scoffed. “I'd like to see how you stay out there. Don't take my money, and anything.”

“Don't worry, I haven't touched anything that belonged to you, and I won't be taking any of them.” I said, walking forward as I heard them making a bet.

“I bet she's returning in two days.”

“One day.”

Ace cold-heartedly replied, mocking me. “I bet in an hour.”

Gulping, I bit my lips as I let out my tears. He was wrong. I wasn't coming back anymore. This time, I won't be living into his whims.