Chapter 2

2.

Asher's expression remained indifferent. "Just focus on resting. Don't trouble yourself with gifts for us."

He glanced at his phone. Beside him, Knox pouted, clearly uninterested.

Elena took in their reactions. A bitter smile tugged at her mouth. Not interested now? She had a feeling the divorce papers would excite them more than anything.

She suddenly felt curious. What exactly was she to them? A placeholder for their real feelings? A housekeeper? Strangers sharing the same roof?

The words slipped out before she could stop them.

The last syllable hung in the air. A sickly sweet female voice floated from Asher's phone. "Ash, how fast you answer decides how long you get to see me today!"

Elena froze.

As the CEO managing billions in assets, Asher's ringtone had always been the default. It took her a second to understand. Her nails dug into her palms. He must have recorded Olivia's voice back when they were together. Set it as her custom ringtone. All those years ago.

So the cold, detached Asher Whitmore had once been capable of that kind of foolishness. And after six years, he still hadn't deleted it. Had he spent every one of those years waiting for it to ring?

Asher didn't hesitate. He answered immediately. A faint sobbing sound came through the line. He was on his feet in an instant, grabbing his suit jacket from the chair. "I'm on my way."

His voice was uncharacteristically gentle.

He was already at the door when he remembered. He turned back. "A friend ran into some trouble. I need to handle it. Get some rest."

His desperation to reach Olivia must have been blinding. He didn't even realize how pathetic the lie sounded. What kind of friend gets a ringtone like that?

Knox had already latched onto his father the moment he stood up. "I'm coming too!"

He didn't even glance at Elena.

That was when it hit her. They hadn't heard a word she said. Even coming from Olivia's apartment to the hospital, Olivia was all they cared about. The phone-checking. The waiting. All for her call.

Elena lowered her eyes. "Mm."

They hadn't answered her question. But she already had her answer.

The moment they left, she dialed her divorce attorney. "Draft the papers as soon as possible and send them to me."

The lawyer's tone was all business. "How would you like to handle custody and visitation for Knox?"

"Nothing." Elena's voice was quiet. "I don't want anything related to the Whitmore family. Not a single thing."

The only thing she wanted now was a divorce.