After Divorce, His Forgotten Wife Became His Uncle’s Bride

“Ashley, are you really sure about resigning? You’ve been at the company for two years and ever since then, President Mason has become much more human than his former cold self.”

Manager Walker furrowed his brows as he accepted the resignation letter Ashley handed over, puzzled by her decision.

Ashley had worked as Mason’s secretary for two years, but no one knew her real identity. She was Mrs. Bennett.

A week earlier, she had attended a banquet alone and was drugged. She called Mason again and again, but no one answered. Just as her consciousness began to blur, a few janitors passed by and saved her.

That same night, Mason and her sister were caught on a dashcam, tangled together in the backseat of a car.

The moment Ashley saw the footage, it all became clear. Her love was gone. So was the marriage. She decided to leave.

Ashley nodded, her tone firm. “I’ve made up my mind. President Mason will probably be quite pleased to know.”

From the day she married Mason, she had known he didn’t love her. But she had liked him since they were kids. Two years ago, when her father asked if she would marry Mason in her sister’s place, she had agreed without hesitation.

Now, with their second wedding anniversary approaching, she opened the safe, took out the signed divorce agreement and filled in the date, the final gift she prepared for Mason.

To fulfill his love with Georgina.

——

After work, Ashley Patel walked out of the company and saw Mason Bennett’s flashy sports car parked outside. She got in without hesitation.

Inside, the car was filled with pink decorations, sweet scents and baskets of snacks, completely out of sync with Mason’s usual cold and minimalist style.

In the past, Mason’s car was always spotless, scented with a cool, woody fragrance. After they got married, she wasn’t allowed to eat snacks or keep plushies inside. His thin lips would utter just one word: “Dirty.”

Later, Georgina Patel liked snacks, pink and sweet perfumes, so he had the car completely redone to suit her taste.

Mason held the steering wheel with one hand and asked casually, “Why did it take you so long to come out?”

Ashley turned to look at him, the sharp jawline, the handsome features. It was that face that had once captivated her.

She looked away and replied calmly, “Had some things to deal with.”

Mason didn’t seem to notice her indifference. He casually grabbed a bag of cookies from the snack basket and handed it to her.

“Your favorite cookies. I stocked up on them.”

Ashley stared at the cookies but didn’t take them. The corners of her mouth curled into a faint, cold smile.

The one who liked cookies was Georgina. She had always had a narrow esophagus since childhood and choked easily on them.

Two years and Mason still didn’t remember.

He had never truly cared, not enough to recall even the smallest detail.

His slender fingers twitched as he held the cookie bag and his tone turned slightly impatient.

“Why aren’t you taking them?”

Ashley took the bag and placed it back in the basket. Then, she pulled the divorce papers from her purse and prepared to hand them over.

“I’m not hungry. Take a look at this first.”

Just then, his phone rang. The car’s Bluetooth lit up with the caller ID: Georgina.

Mason looked flustered. He quickly pulled over, disconnected the Bluetooth and stepped out to take the call.

The sudden turn threw Ashley to the side. Her head hit the window and a sharp crystal ornament cut her forehead, drawing blood.

Mason didn’t notice. He stayed on the call for over ten minutes, then returned looking anxious.

“There’s an emergency at the company. You take a taxi back.”

Ashley ignored the bleeding and calmly held out the papers again.

“Please look at this first.”

Mason frowned and brushed her hand aside without glancing at them.

“I’m in a hurry. I’ll read it when I get back.”

Ashley looked at him for a moment, then spoke in a quiet, disappointed voice.

“Alright, I’m leaving.”

Watching the taillights fade into the distance, Ashley’s eyes were filled with cold mockery.

If Mason had cared even a little, he would have realized she was handing him a divorce agreement.

Warm blood trickled slowly from the cut on her forehead. The wound still hadn’t stopped bleeding.

Mason had always loved Georgina, her sister. The real daughter of the Patel Family.

Ashley, on the other hand, was just the standin. The socalled “fake heiress.”

Twentythree years ago, Georgina had been mistakenly switched at birth. Ashley grew up as the Patel Family’s daughter until, three years ago, the truth finally came to light.

The family brought Georgina back but didn’t cast Ashley out.

Florence Patel had said, “Ashley, Georgina suffered out there for 23 years. We owe her. From now on, only she will be the Patel Family’s daughter. But you can still stay here.”

Georgina was given everything back. Ashley became the joke. The imposter who had taken what didn’t belong to her.

Later, Mason and Georgina fell in love and got engaged. But before the wedding, Georgina canceled everything to study abroad. Heartbroken, Mason married Ashley instead, a lastminute substitute.

Just a week ago, Georgina returned. And in no time, she had Mason under her spell again.

To drive Ashley out of the Bennett Family for good, they even leaked her private photos online, stirring up a public frenzy.

That day, Ashley overheard a conversation between Mason and his friend.

“Mason, Ashley treats you so well. You’re really heartless.”

“I can’t bring up divorce myself. Neither family would allow it. But now that Georgina’s back, I want to give her everything. The only way is to let Ashley take the blame for damaging the family’s reputation.”

“But you’ve been married so long. Do you really not care about her at all?”

“Ashley has always listened to me, taken care of me, supported me at work. I’m a little attached, I guess. But she’s just a substitute for Georgina.”

Outside the door, Ashley stood frozen, tears spilling down her face.

She had once believed that if she loved Mason enough if she gave everything and stayed by his side, one day he’d finally look at her and love her too.

But now, she knew, she was done.

She pulled out her phone and dialed the number she had never thought she’d use: Chase Evans.

“I’ve divorced your nephew. Is your offer still open? I want to see Mason fall.”

“One month from now. City Hall. I’ll be waiting.”

The next day at work, Ashley packed away the many unused items in her office. Once, she had imagined spending her entire life by Mason’s side, treating this place like a second home.

But that dream had come to an end.

“Why is the office so empty?”

Mason’s voice sounded behind her, catching her off guard.

Ashley’s body tensed for a moment, but she quickly composed herself. When she saw Georgina standing beside him, her expression returned to calm.

“The office was too cluttered. I’m just tidying up.”

Mason nodded, not sensing anything off.

“Looks much cleaner now.”

His eyes landed on the certificates and trophies inside one of the boxes and his brows drew together.

“You’re even packing up the awards you earned here? Why?”

Ashley gave a quiet, selfmocking smile. “I won’t be needing them anymore.”

Mason felt a flicker of discomfort. Ashley had been with him since graduation and she’d always taken pride in those accomplishments. Now, she was giving them up like they meant nothing.

Georgina stepped forward, taking Ashley’s hand with a bright smile.

“My little sister has always been a great help to Mason at work. I’ll need to learn a lot from you.”

Ashley froze, unsure what Georgina meant.

The next second, Mason spoke, his tone leaving no room for discussion.

“Georgina wants to come to the company to learn. Your office is spacious and has a nice view. It’s perfect for two people.”

“Okay. I’ll pack up my things and make room for my sister.”

Ashley didn’t hesitate or show any displeasure. After all, she would be leaving soon.

Sensing that her attitude was different from usual, Mason instinctively wanted to say more, but Georgina cut in.

“Thank you, little sister. Now we’ll get to see each other often.”

Ashley remained silent, expressionless, continuing to pack.

Georgina’s smile faltered slightly. Then, while Mason wasn’t looking, she deliberately knocked over the cup on the desk. Hot water spilled out, shards of glass scattering.

The cup was engraved with both Ashley’s and Mason’s names, a wedding anniversary gift she had begged him for.

Ashley knew it was intentional. But unlike before, she didn’t react. No anger. No complaint.

Mason rushed over to Georgina, his focus entirely on her. He checked her carefully, concern written all over his face.

Nestled in his arms, Georgina looked pitiful. “I didn’t mean to. My sister won’t blame me, right?”

Ashley gave a slight shake of her head.

A flicker of surprise crossed Georgina’s eyes, but she quickly masked it with a bright smile. “My sister is so understanding. Are you hurt?”

“She definitely won’t blame you. As long as you’re not hurt, that’s all that matters.”

Mason didn’t spare Ashley a single glance. He took Georgina’s hand and hurried out. “Let’s go. The concert you’ve been dying to see is about to start.”

After they left, Ashley crouched down. A bloody gash on her ankle stood out sharply, glass shards still lodged in the wound as blood continued to seep out.

She gritted her teeth against the pain, pushed herself up and leaned against the wall for support as she limped toward the hospital to get treated.

If that injury had been on Georgina, Mason probably would’ve been devastated.

Ashley had long since grown used to everyone placing Georgina on a pedestal while treating her like she was invisible.

At the hospital.

“If that shard had gone any deeper, it would’ve been much harder to remove. Where’s your family?”

The intense pain had drained all color from Ashley’s face. Her lips, pressed tightly together, had turned pale.

“I have no family.”

The doctor froze for a second, then resumed treating her wound with more care, gently reminding her to rest and avoid walking too much.

As soon as she stepped out of the hospital, Ashley got a call from Mason.

“Where did you go? Why aren’t you at the office during work hours?”

“I was at….”

Before she could say “hospital,” Mason cut her off.

“Georgina’s having cramps. Come to the concert hall and drive us to the hospital.”

“But I…”

“Georgina’s pain is really bad. I had a drink today and can’t drive. You better be here in ten minutes.”

Ashley swallowed the rest of her words. Listening to the busy tone, she stood silently, lips pressed tight.

When she finally arrived, limping, her ankle still burning with pain, Georgina was curled up in Mason’s arms. He was gently rubbing her abdomen.

The tenderness on his face was something Ashley had never once received. She thought her heart had already gone numb, but sharp pain still cut through it. She bit back her tears.

Mason looked up and saw her. The softness in his expression disappeared instantly. With a glance, he signaled for her to get in the car without noticing her limp at all.

As Ashley climbed into the SUV, the sharp pain surged again, making her gasp. She felt the wound on her ankle tear open, warm blood seeping out.

“Hurry up. Georgina’s been in pain for a while now.”

Mason frowned, clearly annoyed by how slowly she was moving, a rare show of impatience.

Georgina added lightly, “It’s such a small thing. Why’d you even bother asking a little sister to drive?”

Mason responded coldly, “What, my secretary can’t even handle something this basic?”

At the wheel, Ashley’s focus faltered. She didn’t see the truck barreling toward them.

By the time she realized it, her injured ankle made it impossible to hit the brake fast enough. She could only jerk the wheel, narrowly avoiding the truck, but the SUV crashed violently into the landscaped divider.

The glass exploded across the cabin. Cuts opened on Ashley’s face and hands. Her body was wedged into the seat, too stiff and weak to move.

She cried out, “Mason, my leg is stuck. I can’t move.”

But all she heard was Mason’s voice, soft and reassuring for Georgina.

“Georgina, don’t be scared. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Through the rearview mirror, Ashley saw him cradle Georgina carefully in his arms.

He opened the door and gently lifted her out. Just as he turned toward the driver’s side, Georgina clung to his arm.

Tears in her voice, she whimpered, “Mason, my stomach hurts even more. Don’t leave me.”

Mason glanced once in Ashley’s direction, hesitation flickering across his face, but in the end, he turned away. Lifting Georgina into his arms, he said, “I’ll take Georgina to the hospital first. Wait for me.”

Watching his figure disappear into the distance, Ashley felt her heart turn colder. She quietly dialed for an ambulance.

By the time she was rescued, her legs were bruised and swollen. The extended loss of blood flow had left her unable to move them.

Inside the treatment room, several nurses chatted as they cleaned and bandaged her wounds.

“That was President Bennett earlier, wasn’t it? He treats his wife so well, so gentle and caring. And he’s so handsome too!”

“Right? How can someone be that rich, loyal and attractive? His wife is really lucky.”

“I heard he was hurt in the accident but didn’t let anyone treat him. He brought his wife in first.”

“And she didn’t even get hurt, just some cramps. But he still booked an entire floor just for her.”

One nurse finally noticed Ashley and gave her a curious look. “Were you in the same car as Mr. Bennett? Who are you?”

Looking down at her freshly bandaged legs, Ashley slowly wheeled herself forward and replied coldly, “I’m the Mrs. Bennett you’re all talking about.”

Not long after Ashley came out of the consultation room, she ran into Mason, making a phone call in the hallway.

He ended the call and walked straight toward her.

“Why are you in a wheelchair? Georgina wants red bean tapioca from Maggie’s Spoon. Go get her a bowl.”

Ashley didn’t nod like she usually did. Instead, she looked at Mason with a face full of sarcasm.

“My legs can’t walk.”

A flash of unease crossed Mason’s eyes. He instinctively moved closer to check on her, but Georgina, who had just followed them out, quickly pulled him back.

“Mason, little sister got hurt too. You go get it for me. I’ll have a chat with her.”

Whatever Georgina said was never questioned. Mason smiled and nodded. “Alright, I’ll go right now.”

With a sisterly expression, Georgina hooked her arm through Ashley’s and led her toward the rooftop.

But the moment Ashley’s foot touched the rooftop, Georgina gave her a sudden, forceful shove, knocking her out of the wheelchair. Gone was the usual gentleness; her eyes now burned with an open challenge as she slammed the rooftop door shut behind her.

Stunned, Ashley ignored the pain in her legs and crawled on her hands and knees to the door, pounding on it.

“Georgina, let me out!”

Soon, Georgina’s smug voice rang out from the other side of the door.

“Ashley, did you forget who you are? You’ve always just been my substitute.”

“If I hadn’t been away back then, you wouldn’t have gotten the chance to marry Mason. And now you actually have the nerve to call yourself Mrs. Bennett? How shameless.”

Staring at the darkening sky, Ashley’s voice grew hoarse. “I’ll be divorcing Mason in a few days. I don’t love him anymore.”

Georgina let out a sharp scoff and placed a signal jammer at the door.

“Mason, the Patel Family, none of it was ever yours. You’ve always been the outsider.”

“Now that I’m back, you deserve a little lesson. No one’s coming to help you tonight. Sit here and reflect.”

As the sound of heels faded down the corridor, Ashley’s heart sank.

The rooftop was rarely visited and now her phone had no signal.

Was she really going to be stuck here until morning?

When Mason returned with the red bean tapioca and found Georgina alone in the hospital room, he asked without thinking, “Why are you here by yourself? Did Ashley go home?”

Georgina nervously fidgeted with her fingers.

“Maybe little sister got upset with me and left.”

As Mason set the dessert in front of her and handed over a spoon, he asked casually, “She’s still in a wheelchair. Why would she leave upset?”

“I just told her that I’ve just come back and still have a lot to figure out, so I need you with me. I told her not to take it the wrong way.”

Mason didn’t give it much thought and gently reassured her.

“Don’t worry about her. She’s always gone against you since you were kids. You’re the real Miss Patel. No need to walk on eggshells around her.”

“She’s got nowhere else to go. She probably went home. Forget it. Try the red bean tapioca. See if it still tastes like you remember.”

Georgina obediently took a bite of the sweet soup and glanced at the weather app on her phone. Thunderstorms were expected that night.

A satisfied smile played on her lips.

Ashley, I’ll make sure you regret ever trying to take what belongs to me.

The sky darkened quickly. Lightning lit up the clouds while thunder rolled overhead. Ashley sat curled in a corner of the rooftop, unmoving.

She had feared thunderstorms since she was a child, always hiding under her blankets with earplugs in. After she got married, she would call Mason during storms. Even if he didn’t want to talk, he’d at least stay on the line.

But now, with no signal and a heart stripped of its illusions, all she could do was hug herself tightly, clinging to whatever warmth and comfort she could summon.

Inside the hospital room, Mason listened to the thunder rumbling outside and, almost by instinct, dialed Ashley’s number. All he heard was the hollow beep of a failed connection.

“Mason, who are you calling?” Georgina asked.

“Ashley. She’s always been afraid of storms,” Mason said, putting his phone away. “I tried calling, but the signal’s out.”

Jealousy flashed in Georgina’s eyes, but she kept her tone light. “Maybe she’s already asleep. When we were little, she used to hide under the covers.”

Mason nodded, not giving it much more thought.

Meanwhile, on the rooftop, Ashley was soaked through. The rain kept pouring and the wind only made it worse. Her body shivered violently from the cold.

By the time a security guard found her the next morning, she was barely conscious, too cold and weak to speak.

When she got home, Ashley found Mason and Georgina sitting at the dining table, calmly eating breakfast. The moment he saw her disheveled appearance, Mason frowned.

“We didn’t see you at all when we got back last night and now you’ve ended up like this. Where were you?”

Ashley wheeled herself directly to Georgina, grabbed the glass of milk from the table and threw it in her face.

“Ask her where I was!”

Mason rushed to Georgina, pushing Ashley aside. He anxiously wiped the milk from Georgina’s face with a handful of tissues.

“Ashley, are you insane? How would Georgina know where you went?”

Ashley let out a cold laugh. “How wouldn’t she know? She’s the one who—”

Before she could finish, Georgina interrupted. “Mason, don’t be angry with my sister. She’s been upset ever since I came back. She probably blames me for taking too much of your attention. I’ll leave now. I won’t cause any more trouble.”

She stood up to go, but Mason grabbed her arm, his expression full of panic. “You just came back. Where could you possibly go? I won’t let you leave again.”

Then he turned to Ashley, his voice cold, almost unrecognizable.

“Apologize to Georgina. Admit you were wrong.”

Even though Ashley had already braced herself for this, it still felt like being stabbed by a thousand needles.

“I’m not wrong. She’s the one who should apologize.”

Mason stepped in front of Georgina protectively.

“Georgina wasn’t feeling well yesterday. She’s only just gotten better today and you go and bully her? What did she do wrong?”

Ashley said nothing. Love, or the lack of it, made all the difference. Whether she spoke or stayed silent no longer mattered.

She turned to leave, but Mason blocked her path. “You can only leave after apologizing.”

Suddenly, Ashley’s phone rang. She answered. “Miss Patel, did you go up into the mountains? I couldn’t reach you all night. I almost flew to the Bennett Residence to look for you.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Ashley’s face.

She hadn’t expected the only person concerned about her to be a business partner she had met only once. A faint smile tugged at her lips.

“There was no signal last night. Sorry to make you worry.”

“A whole month is far too long. Someone as talented and beautiful as you is bound to be snatched away! I’ll send someone to pick you up in five days.”

Ashley’s heart was already numb toward Mason. She didn’t want to stay at the Bennett Residence any longer. She couldn’t wait to leave.

“Five days is too long. Make it three.”

The man on the line readily agreed. Ashley ended the call, satisfied.

“Who was on the phone?” Mason looked at Ashley with suspicion. He hadn’t seen such a relaxed expression on her face in a long time.

“A friend. We made plans to go out in three days,” Ashley casually made up an excuse. In three days, she would be able to leave this painful place.

“Looks like little sister still hasn’t apologized to me. But it’s no big deal. Let’s just forget about it.”

Georgina deliberately brought it up and while Mason wasn’t paying attention, she shot Ashley a cold, mocking look.

Sure enough, Mason’s expression darkened. He called a few bodyguards over.

“Take her to the basement.”

At the mention of the basement, Ashley’s face changed. What she feared most were thunder and darkness.

“No, Mason, I’m afraid of the dark.”

She clung to the last bit of hope and broke free from the guards, rushing to Mason and grabbing his arm, refusing to let go.

Hearing her say she was afraid of the dark, a flicker of hesitation passed through Mason’s eyes. He didn’t push her away and let her hold on to his arm.

Georgina, standing to the side, was visibly annoyed. She picked up a cup of hot tea from the table and “accidentally” dropped it from her hand.

The tea splashed onto Ashley’s arm, scalding her so suddenly she flinched and let go.

Seizing the moment, Georgina stepped forward, pretending to care.

“Are you okay, sister? This tea is much hotter than that milk. You see, the milk burned my hand red.”

When Mason heard Georgina was burned, he hurried over to check, his face full of concern.

“Why didn’t you say your hand was burned? I’ll take you to put on some ointment.”

Georgina asked, “What about my sister?” on purpose.

Mason glanced at Ashley’s face, filled with despair, then at the burn on Georgina’s hand. In the end, he spoke. “Lock her in the basement. No one is allowed to let her out!”

Ashley closed her eyes and didn’t spare another glance at the man she had once loved so deeply. She would cut him out of her heart for good.

As Mason led Georgina away, he looked back one last time at Ashley’s lifeless face. An unexplained wave of unease and irritation rose in his chest. Not wanting to think about it, he quickly turned and left.

In the basement, Ashley stayed crouched in a corner, not crying or shouting. But anyone who came close would see her fingers torn and bloody from scratching herself and her pale lips bitten raw.

She didn’t know how much time had passed when the lights suddenly came on.

After a while, Ashley’s eyes adjusted to the brightness. She saw Georgina standing in front of her, eyes gleaming with smugness.

“Sister, I advise you not to go against me again. You’ve seen it yourself. Mason obeys my every word. Whatever I want, he’ll hand it to me on a silver platter.”

Ashley rasped in a hoarse voice, “I already said I would divorce Mason and give him back to you.”

“As long as you let me out.”

Georgina sneered. “Why should I believe you?”

Ashley’s face stayed calm. “Someone will come to pick me up in one more day.”

“There’s someone else? I didn’t expect you to hook up with another man so quickly, little sister. I really underestimated you.”

Georgina walked toward Ashley, her strong perfume scent making Ashley nauseous as if she might throw up.

Seeing her reaction, Georgina stepped back, her face full of suspicion. “You’re pregnant?”

Ashley’s heart jumped. She had been feeling sick lately, dry heaving over the toilet without being able to vomit. She was actually pregnant at a time like this.

The next moment, she felt a cold touch on her face. It was a fruit knife.

Georgina held it with a twisted expression, gently dragging the back of the blade across Ashley’s face.

“Didn’t you want to escape? I can help you.”

“As long as I destroy that face of yours, who would recognize you again!”

Ashley trembled slightly. “Georgina, are you insane?”

“And that baby in your belly, I’ll never let it be born either.”

The woman’s voice was filled with madness as she called in two bodyguards who pinned Ashley down.

Soon after, bloodcurdling screams echoed from the basement.

The once delicate face was now covered in bloody cuts, ruined beyond recognition.

Ashley lay on the ground, soaked in blood, her wide eyes staring blankly ahead as if she no longer felt any pain.

Georgina tossed the fruit knife aside, a cruel smile curling on her lips.

“Much more pleasing to the eye this way! Now, just that baby left to deal with.”

A bodyguard brought over a bowl of black liquid and forced it down Ashley’s throat.

Soon, she clutched her stomach, rolling on the ground in agony, screaming in pain.

Georgina watched with satisfaction and ordered the bodyguards to throw her out.

Ashley, in unbearable pain, collapsed at the Bennett Family’s gate, her consciousness fading until everything went black.

When she woke again, she was in a hospital.

She struggled to sit up just as a nurse walked in.

"Miss Patel, the baby is gone. This is the removed placenta."

Ashley’s trembling hands took the placenta. Tears rolled down her cheeks, soaking the bandages on her face, which throbbed with pain.

"My face?"

The nurse looked at her with sympathy. "The wounds have been bandaged, but the area is too large. It will be very hard to recover."

"Who brought me to the hospital?"

"Mr. Evans."

Just then, a man walked in. It was Chase’s assistant.

"President Evans will arrive tomorrow. Miss Patel, is there anything you’d like to take care of before leaving?"

Ashley casually took a box and placed the placenta inside, along with the miscarriage report.

Finally, she pulled out the divorce papers she always carried. Soaked in blood, they were strikingly red and placed right on top of the box.

She sealed the box and handed it to the assistant, her tone cold. "After midnight tonight, deliver this box to the Bennett residence. Tell them it’s my wedding anniversary gift to Mason."

After the assistant left, Ashley’s phone rang. It was a message from Chase.

[Good night, my fiancée. See you tomorrow.]

Ashley looked at the starlight through the window, and a longlost smile appeared on the corner of her mouth——Mason, this time I really want to leave. Tomorrow I will leave you without hesitation, and from now on, we will be strangers.