The Incredible Anderson Denfield: path to power

01

The silence in the ELLINGTON villa was deafening, broken only by the ticking of an ornate clock. Anderson Denfield stood in the middle of the lavish living room, his heart pounding against his ribs.

A tall, beautiful woman stood before him, dressed in expensive attire—his wife, Ashley Ellington.

His face was drawn in a frown, and his eyes held so much pain.

His voice trembled slightly as he asked the question he had rehearsed all night.

"Do you still love me, Ashley?"

Ashley Ellington didn’t answer right away. She stood poised in her designer heels, a faint smile showing her confusion lined her lips.

"Ashley! I need to know! Do you really love me?" He repeated himself, his voice gentle but firm, his eyes searching hers for an answer he feared but needed to hear.

Ashley was taken aback by his question, the shock on her face evident as she met his gaze.

It was still early in the morning, and she wondered where he was going with his strange questions.

She dropped her luxurious bag on the table and took a step closer while trying to figure out what was going on in his mind.

She guessed maybe he needed something which was why he took that approach.

She smiled and held his hand.

" Of course, Anderson. I love you, and you know it." She chuckled "Is there something on your mind? You can tell me, love. Why would you even ask something like that?" She said giving him a seductive smile but his face still held the same sad emotion.

He slowly took his eyes to her face.

"I don't think you do, Ashley," he said quietly, his words making her eyes widen in shock.

Ashley moved away from him, still reeling. In their three years of marriage, he had never doubted or questioned her love, not even once.

Though she had fallen out of love with him, she knew that as long as she told him she loved him, he would smile like a happy child.

She took a deep breath

" What do you mean, Anderson?"

Anderson smiled little and used his hand to push his hair back into place.

He proceeded to talk in a calm manner.

"Tell me, Ashley! Why did you do it? Is it because I came from a poor background, unlike him? Are you really that ashamed of me?"

Ashley looked at him in confusion. "I don't understand what you're saying, Anderson. Can we just stop all this? I need to be somewhere important soon," she said, picking up her bag.

Anderson laughed, though it was tinged in pain.

" Really? Are you going to him? Is it because he's rich? Is that what makes you think he's better than me? I have had serious thoughts about this all through the night and yet I can't wrap my head over the reason why you decide to choose him over me."

" Enough, Anderson! " she said, her eyes bloodshot. " I won't take any more of this."

Anderson looked at her painfully like he was about to cry.

" Can you just stop with the pretense! We have been married for three years. THREE GOOD YEARS!. How can you feel so comfortable lying to my face, Ashley? "

Ashley's face softened as she moved a little closer.

" Let's take this easy, okay? I don't know what someone might have told you, but I can assure you it's not true."

Anderson smiled and took out his phone from his pocket and flashed the screen to her face.

A video of her smiling with a man surfaced on the screen.

They seemed so happy in the video.

The man had his hands wrapped around her as they both stood talking to a reporter

The man kissed her cheek and the sound of their laughter filled the room.

When the reporter asked her who the man was in, she giggled and said he was her husband. They shared a kiss afterwards before turning to the screen.

" I love him so sooo much" her bright voice streamed out followed by a series of laughter from both parties

Anderson ended the video and took the phone down his pocket with a pained smile.

"How could you?" Anderson said in a hurt voice. "After everything we've been through, how could you just throw it all away?"

Ashley slowly frowned.

There was no single sign of guilt in her face.

Instead she smiled and took a seat.

"I didn't throw anything away, Anderson. I've been unhappy for a long time, and you were just, too blind to see it. This—" her face was icy cold "—was inevitable."

Anderson was surprised.

He had expected anger, tears, maybe even some regret. But Ashley just sat there, her expression icy and detached, as if the betrayal meant nothing to her.

" Does this mean our relationship was a lie all along, hm. Why? Have I ever treated you badly? Why did you have to hurt me this way? Why?" Anderson said to her in a soft voice.

She raised her cold face at him feeling no remorse.

" You want to know? Fine! My love for you was what made me get married to you in the first place and I regret that decision to this very day. You're so poor that in our three years of marriage, you never bought me anything luxurious. And yet on the first date with Alex, he bought me diamonds. You can't even feed yourself and you are dependant on me... "

"Are you even fit to call yourself a man? Your one year salary from your delivery job can't even buy my dress not to talk of diamonds! Are you not ashamed?"

Her words struck him like a dagger.

He looked at her pitifully and realized she was no longer the sweet girl he once knew.

" For how long have you known him?"

Ashley frowned at his question

" Does that matter now? I had been forcing myself to cope with you all along. I'm tired, Anderson. Let's get divorced. I need to be free from you."

Anderson's legs grew weak.

He had planned all this out thinking she would apologize to him saying it's just a stunt for her business career or maybe tell him any lie but his worst fear is happening right before his eyes.

"You want us to divorce? Is that all you have to say?" Anderson's voice trembled with a mix of anger and disbelief. "After everything we've been through, you're just... okay with this?"

Ashley shrugged, her arms crossed defensively. "You wanted the truth, didn't you? Well, there it is. I'm seeing Alex now, and frankly, I don't feel guilty about it. Maybe if you'd paid more attention to me, things would have been different."

His heart sank further, the reality of her words hitting him hard.

She opened her diamond stoned bag and brought out some papers, placing them on the table.

" Here, sign it."

Anderson stared at the divorce papers on disbelief then looked up at her

" Since when did you have this planned?"

" Nearly two years now. Look, Anderson, I don't think I can cope with you anymore. Can't you see I'm too good for you? I don't even know what attracted me to you in the first place. Just sign this and we'll be over with." She rushed in a cold tone.

Anderson looked so hurt, staring at her.

" Are you blaming me for all this? For god's sake, our three year wedding anniversary is in two days. Can't you reconsider this? I love you, Ashley. I promise to work harder to win your heart and give you the life you want."

Ashley laughed and stood up.

" Don't give me that look, Anderson. I don't think you will ever be able to afford me. I have been taking care of you for the past three years and have I ever gotten anything in return. No! I love Alex now, and there's nothing you can do about it."

" But you are still my wife. By law! "Anderson tried to reason but he lacked the strength to continue

He ran his hand through his hair with frustration.

Ashley gave out a mocking laugh.

" And so what? Here is the document that unbinds our marriage. Sign it so I can be free. After all, you need me more than I need you. Sign this so I can finally leave your wretched life. Just know you brought this on yourself " Ashley's face was icy cold.