His Mistress is His Ex-Wife
Chapter 16: Longing

Chapter 16: Longing

[ At Starlight Group: CEO’s Office...]

"You traitor! What happened to ’You can spend the night with her... just let me see her face?!" Ashton burst into Dominique’s office, berating his once-trusted friend for betraying their agreement.

He thought Dominique would leave Hilton Bay Hotel as soon as he caught a glimpse of Athena’s face. However, Ashton was disheartened when Dominique failed to call him the previous night. He felt cheated! He was supposed to be the one spending time with Athena.

"Spill it! What happened last night between the two of you? What does she look like? Did you even manage to capture a photo of her? Let me at least see my goddess’ face!" Ashton slammed his palms on the surface of Dominique’s desk.

Meanwhile, Dominique was unfazed by his best friend’s ranting. He was leaning on his chair, his eyes covered by his elbow. It seemed that he was in a deep thought.

"C’mon Dominique Smith! Don’t brush me off. I deserve a proper explanation!" Ashton demanded, throwing a fit.

Annoyed by Ashton’s outburst, Dominique let out a deep sigh and adjusted himself in his seat, straightening his back. Lowering his hand, he shot a piercing gaze at Ashton.

"How much information do you actually have about Athena?" Dominique inquired, maintaining his cold and composed tone.

Ashton was momentarily startled by Dominique’s earnest demeanor. There was a profound curiosity evident in Dominique’s gray eyes, particularly when it came to Athena.

"Why? Why this sudden interest in Athena? Damn! Are you trying to say you developed a liking for her after laying eyes on her last night?" Ashton inquired, puzzled by his best friend’s sudden interest.

Dominique narrowed his eyes at Ashton. "Have you forgotten Sabrina’s voice? Athena’s voice reminds me of Sabrina. It’s not just the voice... but even her eyes. However, when her face was revealed... I found out she was not Sabrina." There was a hint of disappointment in his voice.

Ashton was at a loss for words. Five years had passed but it appeared that Dominique hadn’t gotten over Sabrina’s death yet.

"But then again, I can’t shake the thought. What if she’s still alive, but changed her appearance? I vividly recall her dreams. She once confided in me about wanting to be a singer. However, that greedy father of hers prohibited her from pursuing her passion. He only cared about money and his damn company!" Dominique’s fist clenched, his eyes bloodshot.

Ashton couldn’t contain his emotions any longer. He seized Dominique by the collar, pulling him up and shaking his body. "Dominique! Stop this! Forget about Sabrina! You claim you never had feelings for her, so why do your actions suggest otherwise? Why do you keep thinking about her? Is it because of your guilt?"

Dominique burst out into a humorless laughter, his eyes tinged with bitterness. Ashton furrowed his brow, realizing that Dominique was drunk. The scent of whisky clung to him. No wonder there were two empty bottles of whisky scattered on the floor.

"Guilt? Feelings? You know that I was incapable of feeling anything aside from anger and hatred... After my family’s death, I became numb!"

Ashton finally let go of Dominique. He was aware of Dominique’s past, that’s why he turned a blind eye to his evil schemes against Sabrina’s family. He had to admit that Sabrina was a sweet and innocent girl. However, he couldn’t possibly betray his best friend.

However, back then, Ashton wished for Sabrina to change Dominique so that they could live as a happy couple for real. He hoped for her to help Dominique forgive and forget about his tragic past. However, Dominique remained resolute in seeking retribution against Albert Williams.

The deafening silence between them had been broken when Dominique spoke again.

"But why? Why do I feel the emptiness in my heart? It tightens every time she crosses my mind. Over the past five years, I’ve tried so hard to erase her from my thoughts, but the more I push myself, the more she occupies my mind. Why? Why am I experiencing these emotions?" Dominique pounded his chest repeatedly, a bittersweet smile playing on his lips.

"My heart is supposed to be numb," he added.

Ashton could only shake his head, casting a helpless gaze at his best friend. He felt sorry for him. "You oblivious fool. Do you really need to ask? It’s because you’ve genuinely fallen for her. You just refused to acknowledge it... until she’s gone."

’I think Dominique is so drunk enough to confide his real feelings. Otherwise, he wouldn’t open up to me like this, talking about Sabrina,’ Ashton thought.

Ashton promptly approached the door, securing the lock. He couldn’t afford for anyone to witness Dominique in such a pitiful state. ’What a headache. I came here to reprimand him, but I can’t bring myself to be angry when he looks this miserable. Why bother coming here if he’s just going to get drunk?" he pondered.

Ashton returned to Dominique’s spot, guiding him to the nearby sofa. He had him take a seat as he settled in beside him.

"Now, let’s talk. Pour everything out of your chest." Ashton urged him, patting his shoulder. "But after this, you need to sober up. Your wife is coming back today. You wouldn’t want Sasha to see you like this; it would only break her heart." Ashton’s eyes softened at the mention of Sasha’s name.

Ashton, Sasha, and Dominique were childhood friends. He was aware of Sasha’s sacrifices to assist Dominique in his quest for revenge. He deeply cared about both of them.

"Dominique, let me ask you something. If you had feelings for Sabrina, then why? Why did you marry Sasha?" Ashton was dying to ask Dominique about his true feelings for Sasha, however, he didn’t find the opportunity to do that. "There is no way you love two women, right?"

Ashton patiently awaited Dominique’s response, but as he cast a glance in his direction, he found Dominique already reclining on the sofa with his eyes closed – fast asleep.

’Damn! He managed to avoid my question again.’