Chapter 840 Husband of the Year
Ashley didn’t respond to Beathan’s comment.
Beathan removed his glasses and lowered his gaze, wiping them clean. “Ten years ago, we were nobodies. No fame, no money. We rented this place because it was cheap. But back then, I was truly happy.”
Ashley didn’t share his sentimentality. “It’s not that we didn’t have money. We were just hiding our identities and pretending to be broke.”
When they first got together, neither knew the other’s true background. It took nearly half a year before their secrets were exposed. It turned out Beathan was the second son of the Collins family, and Ashley was the only daughter of the Thornton family.
Beathan let out a chuckle. “I didn’t mean to keep it from you back then.”
Ashley nodded slightly. “Yeah. You told me that your parents cared about your older brother more. And that you were practically invisible to them.
“They didn’t care about your career, so you chose the one that was least useful to the family. You became a lawyer and refused to use the Collins name to your advantage. You got into college and studied abroad for your master’s, then started your career.”
“You did it all entirely on your own,” she said.
A whirlwind of emotions flickered across Beathan’s gaze. He was surprised that she remembered everything.
“With my brother standing out so much, my parents poured all their energy into him. It’s not that they didn’t care about me. But if you were to compare the attention we got, the difference is huge.”
Ashley added, “I’ve always had this thought. Over the years, you tried to prove yourself to your brother and your parents. They drove you to become who you are now. You just wanted them to see you. To prove that you were just as capable.”
Beathan gave a dry chuckle that was a mix of irony and self-deprecation. “I never thought you would still understand me the best after all these years.”
“When you got into trouble this time, what was your family’s response?” Her question was tinged with concern.
Beathan smirked coldly. “They told me not to drag them down… As if what happened with the Pierce family was because of me.”
“Then you’ll just have to save yourself. Do what you’ve always done. Pick yourself up, face them, and show them that, even without them, you won’t fall,” Ashley stated calmly.
In the car, Elias clicked his tongue in annoyance upon overhearing the conversation.
Ashley was a different kind of manipulator. Her words showed that she understood Beathan’s background, and she even motivated him. If Beathan wasn’t already obsessed with her, he would be moved to tears by now.
“Ash, why are you saying all this to me? Don’t you hate me anymore?” Though Beathan wasn’t as dramatic as Elias imagined, his tone changed noticeably.
“I suppose I should hate you. But after spending three years in a coma, my emotions are numb. Right now, I feel nothing toward you. Being here brings back some memories though. I even feel a bit sorry for you,” Ashley said.
Then, she turned to leave. “I’m going, Beathan. Take care.”
With that, she descended the stairs.
Beathan was torn between skepticism and impatience. After a moment of contemplation, he caught up with her.
He called out, “Ash!”
Ashley turned around.
Beathan licked his lips. “How about we talk a bit more? Later, we can have dinner at that Tyelanese restaurant that we used to go to. What do you think?”
Ashley pondered it for a moment. “Sure.”
Then, they ended up having dinner at their old spot, the Tyelanese restaurant.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, the chef preparing their meal was none other than Elias.
As he stirred the dishes, he couldn’t help but think he deserved a medal for “Husband of the Year” in Cedonia.
His wife was dining with her ex while he was cooking at the back. Was there ever a greater act of love and sacrifice?
William had risked his life to win Emelie’s heart, which Elias found quite moving. But seeing himself in that situation, he felt he was doing pretty well too.