Ashley slapped his hand away hard . " It hurts , doesn't it ? Then beg for her . " Grayson stared at her . He had never seen her speak to him like this before . The Ashley who once chased after him had been passionate , and as the daughter of the Shanks family , she carried herself with pride . Most of the time , she spoke with softness , her voice as gentle as her demeanor . But the woman standing before him now - sharp , combative , ferocious - felt like a stranger . Was this what prison had turned her into ? He had thought to just let the matter drop , but behind him Susan's sobs grew louder , and Yvonne was murmuring comfort . His eyes cold , Grayson sneered . " So this is the upbringing of the Shanks family's eldest daughter ? " Ashley laughed bitterly . " Upbringing ? What upbringing ? A cheating father , a deranged mother , a brother blinded by greed , and thanks to certain people , a grandmother lying in a coma . " " So it's true , " Grayson shot back . " Everything you showed me before - your kindness , your devotion - that was all an act to win me ." Ashley looked at him with eyes stripped of warmth , as if she had never known this man at all . The one she had once seen as refined , noble , and self - disciplined was , in truth , nothing more than a shallow , ordinary man . Utterly vulgar . Her gaze dropped to the bed . Liam was staring at her , his young eyes filled with dislike . As if her very presence as his mother was a humiliation to him .; Ashley no longer tried to fight it . Coming today had been a mistake . A son's betrayal cut deeper than a husband's . She turned and left the room , heading instead into her grandmother's ward . Compared to the noise in Liam's room , this one was quiet , almost desolate . The old woman lay motionless in bed , her life tethered only by tubes and machines . At her age , Ashley could not even be sure if she had a chance of waking again . Here , there was no hatred , no misunderstanding . After her mother had gone mad , her grandmother had been the only one who still listened to her . She had cooked for her on weekends and brought food to her studio . She had celebrated sincerely when Ashley developed Ash Algorithm . 1/3 09:55 Wed , Sep 170 " And when Ashley had given up her own company to help Grayson start his business , it was her grandmother who had urged her not to abandon her own path . Even in marriage , a woman should have her own career , not circle endlessly around a man . " Grandma , it's my fault . I didn't listen to you . I let love blind me , let myself be swept away by sweetness . But beneath that sweetness was nothing but filth . And it hurt you too . Grandma , open your eyes and look at me . Hit me , curse me - everything was my fault . Just wake up , that's all I ask ." Two years of bitterness crashed over her in waves . Ashley clutched her grandmother's limp hand and pressed it against her own face , as if begging for punishment . But the old woman gave no response . Ashley spoke for a long time , pouring out her heart , until at last she steadied herself enough to seek out the doctor . The news was grim . Her grandmother's injuries from two years ago had left almost no chance of recovery . Unless by some miracle of medicine , pulling the tubes would mean death . The Shanks family only kept her alive like this because of the influence her name still carried . Her social connections and the respect owed to her family forced others to give the Shanks family face . If she were gone , those ties would vanish too . Only Ashley herself clung to her out of true love . After her mother's breakdown , her grandmother had been the one to raise her . The bond between them ran too deep for Ashley to let go . Leaving the hospital , she happened to cross paths with Grayson again . He was opening the car door for Yvonne and her mother , helping them in with a care that made them look every bit like a family . And Ashley - she was the one left out . But that was fine . Soon , her divorce from Grayson would be settled , once and for all . Inside the car , Susan glanced out the window . " I just saw Ashley . Looks like she can't find a cab . Should we give her a ride ? " " Mom , don't be so softhearted , " Yvonne replied . " Ashley won't be grateful . If anything , seeing you will just spark another fight . " Susan sighed . " I don't mind . At my age , all I want is for you children to live in harmony . " Grayson also glanced toward Ashley . He had the space - he was driving , Yvonne sat in front , Susan in the back . Ashley could have fit . But he thought better of it . Why invite more trouble ? Especially after her lies , after the performance she had put on for years just to marry him . 213 09:55 Wed , Sep 17 Chapter 20 The Outsider If he showed her kindness now , she would only take it for granted . No. Better to leave her be , let her suffer until she had nowhere left to turn . Then he would bring her back - and break her in exactly as he pleased . Send Gifts 10 Title: Cooking My Way Back to Love Author: CrushReel Genre: Modern, Revenge, Drama Status: ongoing In "Cooking My Way Back to Love" by CrushReel, Chef Leon Kennedy, once renowned as the "King of Cooking," spirals into despair following his wife's tragic demise in a car accident. Plunged into homelessness, he clings to his loyal dog as his sole anchor amidst loss and desolation. Amidst the ruins of his former life, Leon grapples with profound grief and seeks solace in the art of cooking—the very passion that once defined him. As he navigates the shadows of his past, themes of resilience, redemption, and the unyielding power of love intertwine in this modern tale of heartache and rebirth. Set against a backdrop of culinary mastery and emotional turmoil, "Cooking My Way Back to Love" delves into the depths of human emotion with raw authenticity. CrushReel skillfully crafts a narrative that captures the essence of loss and the arduous journey toward healing in a world marked by tragedy and shattered dreams. Experience the transformative journey of Chef Leon Kennedy as he rediscovers his purpose through the alchemy of flavors and emotions. Available to read online at CrushReel, this gripping drama promises a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the enduring resilience of the human spirit.