When America's Sweetheart Chose Her Agent Over Her Husband novel Chapter 5

"You sure about this?" Ashley's voice held skepticism.

"Could the doctor have made a mistake?"

Listening to Ashley, I felt question marks plastered across my face. Ridiculous—even now she thought I was conspiring with doctors to fake illness.

"Dylan, whether you're really sick or faking it, just fix Austin's problem and I'll take you back," Ashley declared with finality.

Even Austin chimed in over speakerphone: "Come on, man! Just bail me out this once. You handled these contracts before—you could solve this with one phone call."

"Austin's startup just got traction—he can't afford any setbacks now," Ashley pressed.

I smirked. "The clauses were crystal clear in those contracts. I warned you both. Now that it's blown up, ever consider how this affects me?"

Ashley didn't hesitate: "So what if it does?"

"You're out of the industry now—who cares if your reputation tanks? But Austin? He's young, his career's just taking off—you can't destroy him!"

Destroy him?

I nearly laughed out loud.

"Those shady contracts were his doing. Don't pretend you didn't know," I countered.

"Austin was looking out for me," Ashley defended.

"By breaking the law? Some way to show concern."

"Not your business. Just clean up his mess!" Ashley demanded.

Five years of marriage—I'd moved mountains for her every whim. Maybe I'd spoiled her too much, making her think commands still worked on me.

Austin's voice crackled through the phone: "Help me out, bro! Do this and I'll stop hitting on Ashley in front of you. Refuse? Well... let's just say things might get interesting."

"Knock yourself out. Ashley and I are divorcing," I said calmly. "Oh, and lawyer up—you'll need one."

I walked away. I'd said my piece—whether she believed me didn't matter anymore.

Ashley finally snapped to reality, blocking my path.

"Dylan, let me explain! I just got overwhelmed with work..."

"Come home. We'll talk this through. Start fresh—like before?"

For once, she was apologizing. Old me would've melted, forgiven everything—even fixed Austin's mess.

But the part of me that could care died with the stomach they removed.

I shook my head. "We have no home, Ashley. No future."

"Let's just sign those papers."

I left her frozen on the sidewalk, watching me disappear—like something precious was draining from her world.