No Love for the Unworthy

I was momentarily speechless.

Beverly sneered at my silence and continued, "If it weren't for Ashton, Celeste would've ended up in the hospital. Just what kind of father are you, Mateo?"

Irritated, I snapped, "Fine. She's my daughter alone, not yours. So after the divorce, don't even think about fighting for custody! Celeste will be with me, and you can stay out of our lives."

I felt nothing but immense disappointment toward the woman I had loved for seven years, who now felt like a complete stranger. Whatever we had, it was already over.

Beverly's look of contempt stiffened on her face.

Just then, Ashton walked in, holding Celeste's hand. He casually took her backpack and placed it on the entryway cabinet, his voice calm and soft.

"Mr. Lane's back? What's all this commotion? I'll take Celeste to her room so you two can talk."

With that, he changed his shoes and led Celeste away as if he owned the house.

A cold smirk tugged at my lips. "I've been gone for just over a month, and he's already taken my place in this house. What more do you have to say for yourself, Beverly?"

The memory of lying in a hospital bed and teetering between life and death, while she stayed home enjoying Ashton's company, churned my stomach.

Beverly frowned and lit a cigarette in annoyance. Then, she said, "Think whatever you want. I have nothing to explain. Those with filthy minds see filth everywhere."

At that moment, Ashton reappeared with a disc in hand. He approached me and said gently, "Mr. Lane, don't be angry. This is a recording of Celeste's birthday party. Ms. Mitchell asked me to record it for you in case you couldn't make it back in time."

Ashton paused before adding, "I didn't expect you to be gone so long. It was hard to explain to Celeste—"

"What do you mean I asked you?" Beverly cut him off angrily. "That was your idea! Why are you explaining anything to him? I wasn't the one gallivanting around for a month!"

I let out a derisive laugh and swatted the disc out of Ashton's hand. It clattered to the floor.

"If that's how you feel, then let's get divorced. Celeste will come with me," I said, then headed for my bedroom while ignoring the shock on Beverly's face.

Moments later, the door burst open as she stormed in and bellowed in fury, "I bet you can't wait to run off with your lover! You disappeared for a month and came back demanding a divorce.

"Have you lost your mind, Mateo? Do you think you can take my daughter and start a new life with another woman? Over my dead body!"

I stopped what I was doing and turned to face her indifferently. "Gallivanting around for a month, you said? Beverly, do you have any idea what I've been through? I was—"

"What?" she cut me off impatiently and mocked, "Living it up? Partying? Cheating on me? Don't bother lying. You gave the car I bought you to another woman, didn't you? Do you take me as a fool?

"Or will you tell me it was stolen along with the keys and the credit card? Well, guess what? All the transaction notifications came straight to me!"

Her accusations made me swallow my words. Everything I wanted to say suddenly felt pointless.

There was no love in her eyes as she glared at me, let alone any trace of concern or care. Although I had known for a long time, I had been lying to myself and pretending not to see it.

I chuckled bitterly. Thinking of the past seven years of love and companionship, I laughed until my eyes welled with tears.

When I was in the hospital with little chance of survival, I didn't shed a single tear. Even after multiple surgeries and the pain that followed, I never felt like crying.

I had endured it all by holding on to the hope of seeing my family again. But now, I didn't know why I had bothered.

Beverly glanced at me and looked away as if the sight of me repulsed her.

Ashton stepped forward and tried to place a comforting hand on my shoulder. However, I angrily smacked it away.