Worlds Apart

"How much did Liana pay you guys? I'll double it!" Gwyneth yelled.

"Bitch! I'm not looking for extra money today. I just want something nice to treat myself to!" the guy with bright yellow hair snapped back.

He yanked at her clothes, ripping her collar open and reaching for her neck.

Fear clouded Gwyneth's face, and despair rose inside her. Her pants were nearly down when she quickly snatched a wine bottle from the table and smashed it over the guy with yellow hair.

He took a hit to the head, and the other five men froze for a second before throwing punches at her. "You're dead today, bitch!"

Gwyneth curled up on the ground, bruised and battered.

Her will to survive kicked in, and she forced herself to get up. She grabbed the wine bottle by her feet and swung it at the six men, who dodged and backed off.

Gwyneth seized the moment and ran. The men didn't dare go after her. She returned to Asher's private room, scanning the place until her eyes landed on Liana in the corner before heading over.

Liana couldn't miss Gwyneth's bruised face and the tears in her clothes. Her eyes went wide with panic as something hit her. She shouted, "Asher!"

Gwyneth was already at her. She shot a deadly glare and kicked Liana hard in the belly.

Liana crumpled to the ground, calling out in desperation for Asher to save her.

Gwyneth landed another brutal kick in her belly. "Did I ever mention that if you touch me, I'll kick you till you lose the baby?"

"I-I don't know what you mean," Liana stammered. Fear gripped her, and she curled into a ball. Her face scrunched up in pain as she clutched her belly.

The noise died down as everyone's attention shifted to them.

Asher rushed over, pulled Liana up, and stood before her. In a fit of rage, he kicked Gwyneth in the belly. "What the hell is wrong with you? She's pregnant, and you kicked her? Gwyneth, you're so damn evil!"

Gwyneth crashed to the floor. She had just had an abortion, and her face went pale as the pain shot through her. She looked up at him. "You think I'm evil? Why don't you ask what she did to me first?"

Feeling guilty, Liana looked down, scrambling for an excuse.

Suddenly, Asher's stern voice rang out, "That's enough! I don't even need to ask! You'll do anything to get what you want, even if it means selling yourself just to seal a deal! Is there anything you won't do?"

His words hit Gwyneth like a punch to the gut. Did he seriously just say she'd do anything, even sell herself, just to land a deal?

He knew exactly what she'd been through—how she'd almost been drugged and taken advantage of by a filthy big shot while trying to land clients for him.

Asher had shown up just in time. Embarrassed, the big shot flipped out. He accused her of selling herself just to land a deal, but Asher stepped in and had her back.

But now, he turned those very accusations around on her.

Before Gwyneth could get a word out, Asher had lifted Liana and rushed her to the hospital. The crowd scattered, leaving Gwyneth sitting alone in the private room.

She looked at herself in the mirror—her collar torn, makeup smudged, bruises on her face and hands, and her hair a mess.

If Asher had bothered to really look, he would've noticed she'd almost been assaulted. But every part of him was focused on Liana.

It took a moment, but Gwyneth finally stood up, ready to head home. She'd barely taken a few steps when blood began to run down her legs.

…

Asher was gone for two days straight. He finally came home with Liana on the day to head abroad. Liana looked pale and seriously injured, but a closer look was enough to tell it was all just makeup.

Gwyneth was sitting on the couch as Asher snapped, "You should be grateful Lia's baby is safe! Otherwise, we'd be heading for a divorce for sure. Lia's got a good heart. She told me she's forgiven you.

"I promised her that once we move abroad, you'll stay in the smaller villa, and the big one is for me and her."

Gwyneth watched the TV for a moment before turning to Asher. "What if you found out the person you love is a liar? Would you still love her?"

Asher frowned, confused by what she had just asked. "No way. But how could I ever fall for a liar? Lia's got a heart of gold. I'm only into women like her."

Gwyneth dropped her gaze, hiding the disappointment she felt. "Asher, we've loved each other, but that's over now. I hope you'll grant my last wish tomorrow morning."

Her only wish left was for him to sign the divorce agreement.

Asher furrowed his brows, getting the strange feeling that Gwyneth was bidding him farewell. But they were supposed to be flying abroad together that afternoon.

"Alright. Enough of this. Grab your things. We're heading to the airport," he said.

They were at the airport two hours later. Asher and Liana walked side by side like a couple while Gwyneth trailed behind them.

Before heading to security, Gwyneth glanced at Asher. "You two are flying first class, and I'm in economy. Go ahead through the first-class security and wait in the lounge. I'll wait by the gate."

Asher was puzzled. "Why bother saving a few bucks? It's not like we're short on cash."

Gwyneth waved at him, thinking, "Goodbye, Asher. I'm never going to see you again."

Asher was about to upgrade Gwyneth's seat when Liana pulled him away. "Hurry up. The baby's hungry. Let's get through security quickly and grab something to eat in the lounge."

Once they were through security, Gwyneth turned and made her way to the domestic lane. Soon enough, she was on the plane headed for the Payne residence.

…

By early morning, the flight overseas had finally landed.

Asher got off the plane but couldn't find Gwyneth. He rang her up, but the line was met with an automated voice saying her phone was off.

"What the hell is she doing? Throwing a fit right now? I probably spoiled her too much!" Asher had no choice but to head out.

A man waiting at the arrivals area quickly spotted Asher. After checking his phone and confirming it was Asher from the picture, the man made his way over and passed him a folder.

"Mr. Crowe, Ms. Payne needs you to sign this."

Asher's face soured when he saw the document inside the folder.

A divorce agreement?