Chapter 8
“The evidence isn’t complete yet, but digging deeper will uncover more. Just need more time.”
The voice on the line sounded young and confident.
Ashley leaned back, her spirits lifting.
“Alright, I’ll wait for your update. My flight’s taking off-contact me later with news.”
She expected a quick “Got it” before he hung up, knowing his efficiency from their few prior contacts.
But this time, he hesitated for a moment.
“Where are you flying to? Uh… I mean, maybe we’re in the same place, then we can talk offline.”
“Australia.”
The other end laughed.
“What a coincidence.”
“When I make progress with the evidence, treat me to dinner and we’ll talk, Ashley. Safe flight.”
Ashley said, “Okay.”
After calming Nicole down, Aaron immediately called Ashley.
But the phone was off.
He opened Facebook and found a message from Ashley-that recording she’d played for him before.
“Will this never end? Bringing up the past again.”
# 288 Vouchers
Aaron felt a wave of irritation.
He resisted messaging Ashley to ask her location, but when he sent it, a red alert popped up: “You’re not Facebook friends yet.”
She had blocked him.
What did Ashley mean?!
When he mentioned moving back home, she didn’t object; when he suggested a trip, she went along with it.
0.0%
09:49
Chapter 8
Aaron returned home and learned Nicole had been picked up by Ashley, and he panicked.
But right then, he dismissed those uneasy thoughts.
Since they started dating, Ashley had always kept her word.
She had agreed to come home and take the trip, so this must just be her acting up.
He had sent her the flight and hotel info, so she probably took Nicole to the destination first.
288 ¡Vouchers
Aaron checked his scheduled flight, and sure enough, it had already departed. Probably the phone was off because it was mid-flight.
He immediately booked the next available flight.
Nicole leaned against his chest, hugging his waist while swaying.
“Bro, I wanna go too. Let me apologize to your wife face-to-face. She must be mad at me for making such a scene. I already promised to move out. If she’s still unhappy, she can do whatever she wants with me-just patch things up be- tween you two.”
Aaron ruffled her hair, his voice dripping with affection.
“You’re so considerate. Best case, you can smooth things over with her.”
“Even if she won’t budge, bro, I won’t let you take the heat.”
Nicole buried her face in his chest, giving a slight nod, icy amusement glinting in her eyes.
Before the plane took off, Aaron tried calling Ashley again, but her phone was still off.
He furrowed his brow.
Suddenly, a weight pressed on his shoulder-Nicole was leaning against him.
Aaron looked at her eyes, deliberately shut in feigned sleep, and his worries briefly vanished. Mischievously, he pinched the tip of her nose.
Soon Nicole puffed her cheeks and glared at him. Aaron chuckled, releasing her, but Nicole caught his hand.
Her soft lips brushed a gentle kiss against his palm.
Before Aaron could pull away with a darkened expression, she closed her eyes again, resting her head on his shoulder while interlacing their fingers.
“Stop bothering me while I’m sleeping.”
Aaron glanced at their clasped hands, then at her slightly childish face, and ultimately didn’t push her
away.
22.5 %
5%
09:49
Chapter 8
288 iVouchers
Two hours later, the plane landed.
Aaron immediately called Ashley, but her phone was still off.
After checking into the pre-booked hotel, he realized Ashley hadn’t arrived.
Pacing around the room, Aaron called the airline to check if her flight was delayed or had encountered issues.
He received a negative answer.
The spacious family suite held only his lone suitcase.
Aaron roughly ruffled his hair and stubbornly dialed Ashley’s number again.
“She’s just taking advantage of your affection to pull this disappearing act.”
Seeing Aaron’s furrowed brow, Nicole suddenly got up and walked out.
“She’s making such a fuss, it’s just because she can’t stand me. I really shouldn’t have come back. After Dad passed away, I thought it was just the two of us left, I was so lonely outside… Even though we only became family when I was in high school, you’re incredibly important to me, more than anyone else.”
She wiped her tears, “But sister-in-law and Ray are the most important people to you, right? I don’t want to put you in a difficult position.”
After saying that, she turned and left without hesitation.
Aaron quickly chased after her, they struggled for a while, Nicole leaned into his arms and cried softly.
Aaron patted her back soothingly, feeling a wave of irritation.
He blamed Ashley for making such a big deal out of it, blamed her for not letting go of the mistake.
He sent her a message: “I’m not in the mood to play hide and seek with you. You’ve got one day, come or don’t – your call.”
After sending it, he took Nicole shopping and bought everything she wanted without hesitation.
Whatever games she wanted to play, he joined in without question.
Wherever they went, his gentlemanly charm made others envy Nicole by his side.
The two played for five full days without Aaron hearing a word from Ashley.
Furious, he sent her an ultimatum: “Keep this up and we’re done! I won’t tolerate an emotional wife.”
He shut off his phone immediately after sending it, then boarded a flight with Nicole.
In the evening, after landing, Aaron went home and took a shower first.
After coming out, he spotted something on the bedside table, reminiscent of Ashley’s signature surprise gestures.
Aaron frowned. What kind of romance was this at a time like this?
With a stern face, he strode over and snatched it up-
only to find a glaring red divorce certificate!
