Winning Her Heart Back (Emelie Hoven )

Chapter 832 Ash, Can I Sleep Next To You?

"I'm not leaving," Elias said.

Not only did he refuse to leave, but he also climbed into bed. He pulled Ashley, along with the blanket, into his arms.

She had lost a lot of weight. Over the last three years, Elias had done all that he could to

maintain Ashley's health, but surviving on nutrient drips alone could never bring back the weight that she had lost.

She had dropped over 20 pounds.

After she woke up, she had a nutritionist to help her regain her strength with a carefully planned diet, but the change was still barely noticeable.

If it weren't due to the weather in spring, where she had to wear long sleeves and jackets, anyone would see just how frail she had become.

Every time Elias felt her bones, his heart ached. If it were possible, he would have gladly given her his own flesh.

"I'm not leaving. I'm not going anywhere when you're in this state," Elias repeated.

Ashley was pushing him away, and she wasn't doing it in a playful manner, but with genuine resistance. However, she was too weak, and with the blanket restricting her movements, Elias didn't budge.

He lowered his head and gently kissed her hair, cooing softly, "Ash, did you have another nightmare? Was it about the courtroom again? That was three years ago. It's all over now. The scumbag who hurt you has been punished by the law..."

He added with a hint of playful reproach, "I didn't lay a finger on him. It was the law that punished him. I listened to you. I didn't use violence and have been a law-abiding citizen. Shouldn't you praise me for that?"

Ashley finally stopped and closed her eyes. She was exhausted from the struggle.

Elias continued, "Even the mastermind, Beathan, has been caught. It's all in the past now, so there's no need to be afraid."

Ashley's voice was cold when she spoke. "Didn't you receive the divorce papers that I sent you?"

"Never got them," Elias answered without hesitation.

"I emailed them to you," she said.

Elias said, "I don't use that email address anymore... And don't bother sending it to me. The Xanther Group is on the brink of bankruptcy. I haven't been to the office, so I wouldn't receive it anyway."

"And don't think about handing it to me in person. If you do, I'll just pretend to be blind and say I didn't see it." He was determined to play the fool.

Ashley didn't want to argue with him anymore. "Get out."

"I'm not leaving. This is my home." Elias nudged closer to her like a puppy. "And you're not going anywhere either. You're my wife. You have to stay with me."

If they continued this conversation, they would just end up arguing about the divorce once more.

Ashley was completely exhausted. "Let go. I want to sleep."

Hearing the fatigue in her voice, Elias slowly released her and laid her back down on the bed.

Ashley wrapped herself tightly in the blanket and turned her back to him.

Elias knelt down beside her and asked, "Ash, can I sleep next to you?"

Ashley didn't respond, so Elias took her silence as consent. He tried to lift her blanket, but she wouldn't let go. He decided to forego the blanket and just lay down, keeping his jacket on.

Elias could smell the scent of Ashley's hair from this proximity.

It stuck him as odd. The shampoo and body wash they used had been the same for years, but when he used them alone, they had no scent at all. Now that she was awake and using them, the fragrance seemed to fill the air.

Elias edged a little closer to her. But throughout the entire night, Ashley didn't turn back to face him.

Just before 7 AM, Elias was abruptly awakened by the vibration of his phone in his shirt pocket.

This sudden jolt was hard on his heart, and Elias even felt a sharp pain in his ribcage. Yet, his first reaction was to check if Ashley had been disturbed by the noise.