Page 45 of Fateful Exposure

"Ashton—"

"If the next words out of your mouth aren’t the truth, then save it."

A tiny burst of anger exploded inside me. "What the fuck do you want me to say? That I'm jealous of some young girl because you were laughing and talking with her like you are best friends?"

He gave me a wry smile. "You and I both know that it's true. It doesn't matter how much you deny it."

"Fine." I threw my hands up. "Alright then. Yes, I was jealous. But Jesus Christ, can't you see that it doesn't make sense?"

"Why the fuck not?"

"Because!" I exhaled, this close to pulling out my hair. How was I the only one thinking clearly in this situation?

"This," I gestured between us. "Whatever this is, it is temporary. And after last time, I'm not interested in pursuing anything with a man."

He blinked, narrowing his eyes like I'd just insulted him. "Wait a fucking minute. Surely, you…you can't be comparing me to your pussy of an ex."

I let out a sigh. "Let's stop having sex."

"I don't want to," he replied matter-of-factly.

My nostrils flared in anger. "Well, too bad. If a few minutes of pleasure is all it takes to blind you to the fact that we are not compatible, then that's your problem. I can see things clearly, and I'm telling you it's done."

He ground his jaw, looking away for a second before his gaze darted back to mine. "A few minutes of pleasure? Is that what you're going to call what we've been doing these past few weeks? You're a fucking coward, Selma, and I can assure you one day, that stony exterior you're hiding behind will fall apart. People will finally see you for what you really are: empty."

Okay. That stings.Way more than it should have.

I nodded, biting the inside of my cheek to keep the prickling behind my eyes at a minimum. I would not cry in front of him.

"Thank you, Ashton, for reassuring me that my decision to keep you away from my child was the right one. Thank you so much."

It was the first time the subject of the baby and having custody was coming up in two weeks.

He scoffed, his lips twisting into a snarl. "The heavens will fall before I let you win that battle, Selma. The heavens will fucking fall."

"Then be prepared for Hell, because they will."

"You do not want to fight me on this. It's not a warning, Selma."

Fury gnawed at the frayed edges of my restraints. "Who the fuck do you think you are?"

With one step, he closed the distance between us. He was so close to me that a pin couldn't pass between us.

"I'll do you one better, peaches," he snarled. "Fuck around and find out."

And then he brushed past me harshly and walked out of my office. I stood there for a few minutes, my chest heaving with furious breaths.

Threatening me? Who did he think he was to make demands regarding my child? This baby was no one else's but mine, and I would be damned if I allowed Ashton McCall to do to it what my father did to me.

The inconsistency, broken promises, and withered hopes—a childhood of merciless disappointments and ephemeral expectations—never. The cycle began and ended with me. I would do everything in my power to make sure it didn't happen to my child.

The door burst open, and Maria came flying in, her eyes glued to her phone. "Selly, oh my God. You have to see this."

"What is it?" Interest suddenly piqued, I peered into her phone and gasped. "Well, fuck."

My name was right there, on the list of celebrities who were to attend the Soraa Gala, the biggest and most exclusive fundraising and networking event in the United States.

eighteen

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