Devon had already called her cell a dozen times until finally she’d shut it off so it would stop ringing. She’d expected resistance. She was fortunate that she’d caught him off guard enough that she’d been able to get out of his office without much fuss.
But now he would want to talk to her. No doubt he’d give her another lecture about being impulsive and reckless and whatever other adjectives he’d want to assign to her. Then he’d inform her that there was no reason they couldn’t have an enjoyable marriage, blah blah blah.
She wanted more than some damn enjoyable marriage. She wanted…awesome. She wanted a man who loved her and celebrated her for who she was. Maybe she’d never have it. But she damn sure wasn’t going to settle for someone her father had bribed to marry her.
Which was another reason she’d come to her parents’ apartment. Because first she was going to tell her father to stop interfering in her life. Then she wanted a hug from her mother.
She walked into the apartment and took off her coat. “Mom?” she called. “Daddy?”
Gloria Copeland hurried out of the kitchen and smiled her welcome. “Hi, darling. What brings you over today? I wish you’d called. I would have made sure I had tea ready.”
“Where’s Daddy?” Ashley asked quietly. “I need to talk to him. To you both, actually.”
Gloria frowned. “I’ll go get him. Is something wrong?”
“You could say that.”
Alarm flashed across her mother’s face. “Go sit down in the living room. We’ll be right there.”
Her mom hurried away and Ashley made her way into the spacious living room. Instead of sitting, she went to the fireplace, grateful for the warmth. She was cold on the inside and it felt as though she’d never be warm again.
A moment later, she heard the footsteps of her parents and she turned slowly to face them.
“Ashley, baby, what’s wrong?” her father asked sharply.
Both her mother and her father stood a short distance away, impatient and worried. She drew a deep breath and took the plunge. “I’ve left Devon and I’m pregnant.”
Gloria gasped and put her hand to her mouth. William’s eyes narrowed and he frowned. “What the hell happened?”
“Youhappened,” she said bitterly. “How could you, Daddy? How could you manipulate us both that way?”
Her father threw up his arm in anger and swore. “Damn it, I told him not to tell you.”
“He didn’t. I found out on my wedding night. Can you possibly imagine how awful it was to find out on my wedding night that my father had all but bought and paid for my husband?”
“William, what on earth is she talking about?” Gloria asked in bewilderment.
It relieved Ashley that at least her mother hadn’t known. She wouldn’t have been able to handle the double deception.
“He made me part of the Tricorp deal,” Ashley said with more calm than she felt. “He forced Devon to marry me or the deal was off the table.”
“Damn it, it wasn’t like that,” her father bit out. “You make it sound like…” He dragged a hand through his hair and closed his eyes wearily. “I just wanted what was best for you. I thought Devon would take care of you. He seemed perfect for you.”
“I can take care of myself. I don’t need a man to do that. I want a man who wants me for who I am, not because my father waves a lucrative deal in front of him. I want someone wholovesme.”
“Oh darling,” Gloria said, finally finding her voice. She rushed forward and enfolded Ashley in her arms. “I’m so very sorry. How awful for you. I had no idea.”
Ashley closed her eyes, absorbing the love and acceptance she’d been denied with Devon.
Her mom pulled away and gently stroked a hand through Ashley’s hair. “What about you being pregnant? When did you find out?”
“I went to the doctor this morning. Then I went to see Devon.”
“Ashley, are you sure about this?” William asked. “I don’t believe for a moment that Devon doesn’t care about you. Think about what you’re doing here, honey. Do you really want to throw everything away because of the way you met? I understand your anger and I take full responsibility. Devon never wanted to deceive you. It was me from the start.”
She had to take a moment as she battled tears. “He doesn’t like the real me. He thinks I’m flighty, irresponsible, impulsive, too trusting. He wants to change everything about me. How can you possibly think this is a man I’d want to be with? Is that really who you’d want your daughter married to? What would that teach my daughter if I stay with a man who doesn’t value me? How can I expect her to have any self-respect if her mother doesn’t?”
Her mother wrapped an arm around her shoulders and glared her husband down with furious eyes. “I can’t believe you did this, William. What in the hell were you thinking? You may as well have told your daughter that she doesn’t matter. You’ve pulled some stupid stunts in your time, but this takes the cake.”
