From Ashes to Sunrise

The Elliot house felt even quieter than before.

My father had long since built another family outside. Not long after I got married, my mother drank too much one night and fell down the stairs. She ended up bedridden for years and later developed heart disease.

At first he would send token amounts for her care. Later he claimed the company was struggling and stopped sending anything at all.

My mother used to be one of the most admired beauties in the capital. But marriage wore her down. For the sake of a man who never loved her, she forced herself into becoming the bitter, jealous woman people whispered about.

I refused to become a second version of her.

With that thought I quickly finished sorting through my mother's belongings, then went to retrieve the jewelry locked inside the safe in my old room.

"Jonathan, my mother passed away. I'm also about to finalize the divorce from Colton. I need money for the funeral arrangements, and I need these pieces to restart my career. Please help me arrange the auction as soon as possible."

Jonathan expressed his condolences about my mother's death, then promised with confidence that he would get me top prices and bring my name back into the spotlight.

After hanging up, I returned to the Walton villa and began packing again, determined to leave as quickly as possible.

Colton saw me dragging the suitcase downstairs and his brows furrowed slightly. "I know your mother just passed away. You're in a bad state right now."

His tone carried a condescending generosity. "I can delay the paperwork a few more days. You can keep staying in the…"

"No need." I cut him off, walked up to him, took out my identification, and slapped it onto the coffee table. "We're doing it now."

Colton looked completely stunned. He clearly hadn't expected me to be so resolute.

He stared into my eyes, searching for any sign of pettiness or bluff. When he realized I was serious, an inexplicable irritation rose in his chest. "Fine. Whatever you want."

When we walked out of the city hall, Colton actually spoke first for once. "Where are you going? I'll drive you."

"No thanks." I ignored the dark look on his face after being rejected, turned, and flagged down a taxi by the roadside.

Right then my phone rang. An unfamiliar number.

I answered. A deep, magnetic male voice came through. "Miss Elliott, this is Edmund Holt. The owner of the car you rear-ended last time."

I suddenly remembered the matter still hadn't been settled and hurried to apologize. "Mr. Holt, I'm really sorry about last time, I…"

"You don't need to apologize. I don't blame you at all. I just wanted to ask if you're free right now. We could discuss the damage assessment for the car."

He interrupted me gently. His voice carried a soothing quality that made me feel strangely steady.

"I'm free. Just tell me the repair cost, then give me your account number and I'll transfer the money."

There were two seconds of silence on the other end before he spoke again, still in that warm tone. "I think, to be fair, the assessment should be done together in person. It's the proper way."

His firm tone left no room for refusal.

When I arrived at the agreed-upon auto shop, I immediately saw the two people I least wanted to encounter.

Shirley was holding Colton's arm. The two of them stood beside a Porsche, discussing interior color options.

I felt a wave of disgust and intended to pretend I hadn't seen them, but Colton spotted me first. "Mira Elliott, are you following me?"

His opening words were an accusation. Shirley chimed in right away. "Mira, I know it's hard for you to accept right now, but Colton has already divorced you. Please stop clinging to him, okay? I suggest you don't copy your mother's obsessive tactics. Otherwise Colton will only end up despising you the way Dad does."

The mention of my mother ignited fury inside me instantly.

If it hadn't been for Shirley and her mother back then, how could my gentle, dignified mother have been forced into becoming a paranoid, resentful woman!

I rushed forward and slapped Shirley hard across the face.

Shirley stumbled from the force and delicately fell into Colton's arms.

Colton was distressed. He wrapped her protectively in his embrace and shouted at me. "Mira, that's enough! Apologize!"

I ignored him and stared straight at Shirley, enunciating every word. "You want to steal Derek and Colton? Go ahead. But if you ever disrespect my mother again, it won't be just a slap."

Colton froze for a moment. Looking at my stubborn, pale face, his anger gradually subsided and a trace of guilt crept in. "Fine. You've made your scene and hit her. Isn't that enough? Don't you still have your mother's funeral to arrange? Go back already. Stop following me."

I gave a cold laugh and was about to speak when a mocking voice sounded from behind. "Your mother-in-law just passed away, and you're already out shopping for cars with your lover. I've truly never seen anyone so shameless."

I turned around in shock. It was Edmund Holt.

He strode over, his tall frame completely shielding me behind him. "Besides, Miss Elliott is here to meet me. Sir, you should not flatter yourself."

Being mocked so bluntly made Colton's face burn. Seeing Edmund standing protectively beside me only made the sight more grating.

He looked at me, malice practically spilling from his eyes. "I misjudged you completely. The moment you're divorced you're already throwing yourself at another man. Utterly shameless."

I met his gaze and returned the mockery coldly. "Right back at you."

Colton choked on my words, his expression growing even uglier.

When Edmund heard the word "divorced," a subtle change flickered through his lowered eyes.

Eight years ago, a near-fatal accident abroad had nearly taken his life.

After barely returning from the brink of death, the first news he received was that Mira had married into the Walton family.

The Waltons held considerable power, and Colton wasn't a terrible person, so Edmund had always believed Mira lived a happy life.

He could only bury those feelings from their youth deep in his heart and silently wish her well.

But now, he suddenly had the chance to start over.

"Mr. Holt? Mr. Holt!" I felt uncomfortable under his intense gaze and called out loudly. Only then did Edmund snap back, realizing he had lost composure.

"Sorry. Let's go." Edmund took my hand and led me away. Colton watched us leave, practically shaking with rage.

Shirley squeezed his hand to comfort him. "Colton, don't get yourself upset. My sister has always been this unruly. Otherwise why would no one ever like her?"

Colton looked at Shirley and finally calmed down.

Still, he couldn't shake the strange feeling. Why on earth was he so angry over an ex-wife who he never loved?