A sonogram.. no heartbeat

Ashley's POV

The first rays of dawn filtered through the heavy curtains, casting golden streaks across my bedroom's grand yet hollow bedroom. I curled on the bed, my body convulsing with silent sobs. Each tear that fell felt like a piece of my soul being torn away, leaving me hollow and cold. My trembling fingers brushed over my stomach, the absence unbearable. The warmth I had once felt there was gone—ripped away by betrayal and cruelty.

A soft, hesitant, but deliberate knock echoed through the suffocating silence. My heart tightened. I knew that knock. It usually offered comfort, reassurance, and safety. But today, there was no safety left in my world. I stayed silent, and the door creaked open just enough for Mira to slip in.

She was a small woman, barely five feet tall, but her presence always filled the room. Her usual warm expression was gone, replaced by sorrow and helplessness. Her eyes searched the dim space until they landed on me. She didn't need to say a word. We understood each other at that moment.

"I'm sorry," Mira choked out, voice trembling. "I couldn't save... I couldn't save the baby."

The words shattered me. My shoulders shook with a fresh wave of grief. I buried my face in the pillow, muffling the sobs that wracked my body. The only thing that had kept me going—the one thing I had fought so hard for—was gone. I had clung hard to the dream of a family, believing that love could mend what was broken. But now, all I had left was an empty crib and a sonogram with no heartbeat.

Edward hadn't come.

For two days, I had suffered, the pain in my body growing unbearable. I had crawled to the door, calling out for him, pleading for comfort. The servants ignored me, their whispered scorn creeping through the walls, and still, my husband stayed away. Mira had risked herself to help me, sneaking in countless times than I could count to help me, pressing cool clothes to my forehead, holding my hand through the worst of it. Yet, against Edward's instructions, no doctor had been summoned. He had made his choice, and it wasn't me.

Dragging myself from bed, my feet hitting the cold floor. Once filled with love and laughter, the mansion now felt like a cage, trapping what was left of me. Every beautiful detail—the crystal chandeliers, the grand staircase, the beautiful paintings—mocked me. I had built this life. I had sacrificed for this marriage. I had handed him my heart, my loyalty, and my fortune, and in return, I had received nothing but heartbreak.

I wandered aimlessly through the empty halls, my body weak but my heart hardening with every step. The maids barely hid their smirks; their whispers pierced me like daggers.

"She looks pathetic."

"I heard he's going to make Samantha the lady of the house."

I didn't react. I had spent years fighting for a love that never fought for me. I was done. I stopped in front of their door—the room where everything had unfolded. The door that led to my destruction. The door that had once been locked was now open. A cruel invitation. I stepped inside, my eyes scanning the space that smelled of them. The betrayal stained every corner, every tangled bedsheet, and every discarded piece of clothing.

"How did we end up here?" I murmured, my voice echoing in the empty space. A sound from the hallway caught my attention. The sharp click of heels. Laughter. Their laughter. 

I turned, stepping out just in time to see them. Edward's arm was wrapped around Samantha's waist, his lips brushing against her ear. They both halted when they saw me, their faces glowing with happiness, while I stood before them, stripped of everything.

"Oh, good. You're awake." Edward's voice was casual as if we were discussing the weather. "Come with me."

I followed, my body moving on autopilot. He led us to his office, the place where deals were made and empires were built. Casual, "Here." He tossed a pen and a stack of papers onto the desk.

Divorce papers.

I picked them up, scanning the contents. My heart ached. I reached the financial section. My shares—my family's company—were gone. I was left with nothing, and

"I get nothing?" My voice was barely above a whisper.

Edward leaned against the desk, arms crossed. "You signed everything over to me. That company is mine now." Samantha stepped closer, her smile too sweet. "You wouldn't make things difficult, would you, Ash? Edward and I… we love each other." I turned to him, searching for an ounce of guilt. There was none.

"You should be grateful," Samantha added, her voice laced with false pity. "A used woman like you gets to start over. Isn't that nice?" My grip on the pen tightened. The old me—the one who had loved, sacrificed, begged—would have crumbled. But that Ashley was gone. A slow smile curled my lips as I signed my name in bold, decisive strokes.

Edward's eyes narrowed. Did he expect me to fight for him? To break down? To plead? I slid the papers toward him. "There. It's done."

His brows furrowed. "You're not going to argue?" I let out a soft, bitter laugh. "What's there to argue about? You made your choice, and I've made mine." Samantha's victorious smirk faltered. "Well… good. You should leave before nightfall."

Edward's voice hardened. "We owe each other nothing." I met his gaze, my eyes devoid of the love that had once existed. "You're right. We don't."

I turned on my heel and walked out, my heart light for the first time in years. They thought they had broken me. They thought I was leaving with nothing. But they had forgotten... I built Edward from the ground up, and now I would be the one to burn him to ashes.