After the Clouds

Asher's expression remained indifferent, and he was clearly unbothered. "Just rest well in the hospital. You don't need to worry about giving us gifts."

He finished speaking and glanced at his phone screen. Carter, beside him, also pursed his lips, looking utterly uninterested.

Winona took in the father's and son's reactions. Her lips curved slightly.

They were not interested now, but the moment they actually saw the divorce agreement, they would probably be more excited than anyone.

She suddenly wondered what they actually thought of her. An emotional substitute? A nanny? Or perhaps just a familiar stranger living under the same roof as them?

With that thought, she decided to ask directly.

Before she could finish speaking, however, a sweet female voice rang out from Asher's phone.

"Asher, pick up my call, okay? Or else I'll get mad!"

Winona froze.

As a CEO, Asher's ringtone had always been the default ringtone set by the system. However, she quickly got a grasp of the situation. Her nails dug deep into her palms.

This must have been from when Asher and Ella were still dating. He had recorded Ella's voice and set it as her personal ringtone.

It turned out that the currently cold and emotionless Asher had once done such sweet things too. Six years later, he still had not deleted it. He must have been waiting for it to ring all these years.

Asher answered without the slightest hesitation. Faint sobbing sounds came through from the other end.

Asher immediately stood up, grabbed his jacket from nearby, and headed toward the door. "I'll be right there."

His tone carried a rare tenderness.

Only after hanging up at the doorway did he seem to remember something. He looked back at Winona on the hospital bed and said calmly, "A friend ran into some trouble. I need to go handle it. Rest well."

Perhaps Asher's urgency to reach Ella's side was too overwhelming. He did not even realize how clumsy his lie sounded.

What kind of friend would deserve such a personalized ringtone?

Carter had already followed closely behind Asher the moment he stood up. "Mom, I want to go with Dad."

Winona finally realized the father and son had not been listening to her at all. Even after rushing to the hospital from Ella's place, Ella was still the only person on their minds.

They had been staring at the phone to catch her call the instant it came through.

Winona lowered her eyes and softly hummed in acknowledgment. Although they had not answered her question, she already got the answer she needed.

After the father and son left, Winona dialed her lawyer's number. "Draft a divorce agreement and send it to me as soon as possible."

The lawyer asked in a businesslike tone, "What about custody of Mr. Carter? Do you want it?"

"No," Winona said quietly. "I don't want anything or anyone connected to the Rhodes family."

All she wanted now was a divorce.