Chapter 183 Acknowledging Zayne's mom

Chapter 183 Acknowledging Zayne's mom
Valeria's POV 
It had been two days since my father was arrested. He was arrested Friday evening, and somehow, it was already Sunday. 

I sat curled up on the couch in the living room, my legs tucked beneath me and a pillow held tightly against my chest.

The television had been on for hours. Ever since my father's arrest, all I did was sit here and watch the news.

I couldn't seem to look away.

The news of his arrest had spread across the country. Every channel seemed to have something new to say about Edward Whitmore and his alleged involvement with the Iron Kings.

And today, there was another breaking story.

I stared at the screen as the news anchor spoke.

"Authorities have also confirmed the arrest of Rita Ashford, wife of prominent businessman and philanthropist Mark Ashford. Rita Ashford is facing multiple charges connected to the Iron Kings criminal organization, including financial involvement with the organization and conspiracy. Authorities are also investigating her alleged involvement in an attempted murder plot targeting Elena Hayes, who was a patient recovering in a private medical facility."

My grip tightened around the pillow as I stared at the television, barely unblinking.

I didn't even know how everything built up like this. Just a few days ago, none of this had happened. And now, both my dad and Rowan's mom were sitting in custody.

I still couldn't even understand. It just felt like a bomb that had been slowly heating up, waiting for the perfect time to explode.

I leaned my head against the back of the couch, my eyes fixed on the screen.

I wondered what had exposed them. Who had found the evidence? How had the police connected everything? There had to be something that had set all of this in motion.

My phone suddenly rang beside me. Glancing down at the screen, I picked it up and answered.

"Hi, Mom." 

"Val." Her voice softened immediately. "Sweetheart, how are you doing?"

I looked back at the television. "I'm okay."

"Are you sure?"

I hesitated. "I guess."

"I've been so busy. I just saw the news now. Why didn't you call me immediately after it happened?"

"Honestly, I didn't know what to do."

There was a brief silence.

"Did you know about any of this?" I asked.

"About your father?"

"Yeah."

"No." Her answer came immediately. "I suspected he was hiding something. He had been acting all shady for a while, but I never knew it was this. I thought it was just the other woman." 

"Do you know that...?" I looked down at the pillow in my arms. "After everything that man has done to me..." My voice broke slightly. "After always believing I was the wrong person in several situations... the moment he gets arrested, he has the guts to ask me to talk to Mr. Ashford and get him help."

I scoffed bitterly. "Like I could just call someone and make everything disappear for him when he never did that for me." 

"Valeria, don't think too much about it."

"How can I not?"

"Because he's a damn manipulator. He's a narcissist. And now, his sins have caught up with him."

I went quiet.

Mom sighed softly. "You don't have to carry his problems on your shoulders. Whatever he did, those are his choices. Let him face the consequences of them. None of this is your fault. And you're not calling anyone to help him either," she ended with a stern tone.

She was right. 

I let out a soft breath.

"I just can't believe this is happening," I whispered.

Mom's voice changed slightly. "And what about you, Val?"

"What about me?"

"How are you dealing with the breakup?"

I looked away from the television. "I'm getting better."

"Really?"

"Yeah." I nodded even though she couldn't see me. "I've been seeing the school counselor regularly. She helps."

"That's good." 

I pulled the pillow closer against my chest. "I'm not going to lie and say I don't think about him anymore."

Mom didn't say anything.

"But I'm getting better,” I repeated. “At least, I think I am."

"You don't have to rush it, Val. Just take things one day at a time."

I smiled faintly. "I will. That's the only way I can go about it."

"Alright. Can we... talk later? There's this investor I'm supposed to meet. It's gonna—"

"Of course. Go ahead," I said, smiling. 

"I really want to see you, Val. I promise I'll make out time for you. I just need to sign a lot of deals and grow this idea I have into something big."

"It's okay." My smile widened. "I wish you success, Mom."

"Thank you, my baby girl. I'll talk to you later, okay?"

"Sure. Bye."

"Bye."

I kept my phone back on the couch. It felt so good to talk to her. 

I was happy that she didn't let my dad be a setback. She didn't spend much time in grieving all the years she had spent with him. She was already back up, trying to make a way for herself. 

Right from the beginning, even when things weren't so good between my mom and I, she had always been my role model. She was the reason I tried so hard not to let whatever was happening get to me. 

Because she made it seem so easy.

I pulled the pillow closer to my chest, my eyes returning to the television.

The news had moved on from my father. At least, for now.

The screen suddenly changed, and Mr Ashford appeared. 

It was a business interview. He was seated behind a long table with several reporters surrounding him, discussing one of his company's recent investments.

I watched quietly. If anyone had told me I'd be sitting in the living room, watching business news or any kind of news, I wouldn't have believed that person.

Mr. Ashford looked composed. Like a man who didn't have a wife sitting in police custody.

The reporters didn't seem interested in letting him stay comfortable for long as they bombarded him with questions.

"Mr. Ashford, before we continue, what is your response to the recent arrest of your wife, Rita Ashford?"

His expression didn't change. "My company has had a very successful quarter, particularly with our expansion into—"

"Mr. Ashford, are you denying that your wife has any connection to the Iron Kings?"

"I believe the figures from our recent expansion speak for themselves," he responded, deviating from what was asked.

The reporter frowned and threw another question immediately. "So you're refusing to comment on your wife's arrest?"

"This is a business interview. I am here to discuss my company," he said firmly.

Another reporter immediately jumped in. "But you've been seen repeatedly visiting Elena Hayes at the hospital." 

Mr. Ashford's face tightened.

I sat up straighter. This was a really hot spot for him.

"Is there a romantic relationship between you and Ms. Hayes?"

Another reporter leaned forward. "Some people are questioning why a married man would spend so much time visiting another woman in the hospital."

"Is she involved in your wife's arrest?"

"Were you having an affair with her?" 

"Are you planning to leave your wife for her?"

My mouth fell open.

This was getting ridiculous.

Despite everything, Mr. Ashford remained silent.

The reporters continued. 

"Mr. Ashford, considering your wife's alleged involvement with the Iron Kings, is Elena Hayes perhaps another woman your family has been financially supporting?"

"Or was she involved with you before your wife's arrest?"

"Are you protecting her for some reason?" 

Mr. Ashford's jaw was clenched. He looked like he was trying very hard not to lose his temper.

"Mr. Ashford, who exactly is Elena Hayes to you?"

Silence. 

He stared at the reporter. Then he leaned back in his chair. For a moment, I thought he was going to ignore the question again.

Instead, he calmly said, "She is the mother of my children."

The room went completely silent. Every reporter seemed frozen.

They finally got what they were looking for. 

But the silence didn't last. The room erupted again.

"What?"

"Your children?"

"Are you saying you have children with Elena Hayes?"

"How long has this relationship existed?"

"Are you married to Rita Ashford, and you're also the father of Elena Hayes' children?"

"Mr. Ashford, who are these children?"

"Where are they?" 

He didn't answer a single question. He just stood.

The reporters continued throwing questions at him, but he ignored them. He straightened his jacket, gave the room one final look, and walked away.

Damn. 

He'd finally acknowledged Ms. Hayes publicly. At least, he seemed to have finally realized that his wife wasn't innocent in all of this.

I hugged the pillow closer. "Well..." I murmured.

Now it was only a matter of time. The reporters were going to dig. They would want to know who these children were. And eventually, they would find Zayne and Quinn.

Not that any of their family matters concerned me.