CHAPTER 176: DARE TO LOVE ME It Hasn’t Been Enough Part 2 

Ashley took a deep breath, trying to calm the weight in her chest. It was clear he had misinterpreted the entire situation. She could never have imagined he’d find her like this. My 

God, it had even seemed like she’d just kissed Lyon! She snapped out of her reverie when Will 

took a step toward them. 

Aly and Tino looked at her with silent questions. She pressed her hands together and looked 

up at Will. They exchanged a look, then their eyes darted to the figure a few meters away. They 

immediately turned back to her. Alaia tried to stand, but Ashley shook her head. She had to be 

the one to talk to him. 

“I’ll be right back. It’s been a long day.” She gave a small smile to those nearby and walked 

over to face William. 

Her steps were slow and more nervous than ever. As she stood before him, she glanced 

around, noticing a few onlookers. It wouldn’t be wise to talk in front of them. 

She took Will’s arm to find a more private spot to talk. She could feel the tension in his body 

beneath her hand. 

“Darling,” she said breathlessly. Will raised an eyebrow, his expression still furious. 

“Am I?” he questioned in a growl. “This morning, I left ‘MY WIFE‘ in the UK, supposedly 

swamped with work to finish her collection in a couple of days. A few hours later, I find her in 

Monaco, kissing and getting engaged to another man.” His voice barely betrayed the anger in 

his eyes. 

Confused by his words, she could barely speak. 

“There’s an explanation. I’m getting my stores back. It was unexpected. I didn’t know how to reach you. That’s why I left a message and asked you to call me so we could talk about this.” 

“You should have tried harder. And I did call you, but you didn’t answer. You were very busy.” He glared toward their table. 

Damn it! He had called. Where had she left her phone? 

“I don’t know where my phone is,” she admitted, and he scoffed. 

“And what explanation do you have?” He took a step closer. “That you’re going to marry that imbecile to get your stores back, and I’m supposed to be okay with being the other man?” he growled. 

Ashley couldn’t believe he would think she’d do such a thing. A pang of hurt resonated in her 

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CHAPTER 176: DARE TO LOVE M…. 

chest, but she pushed it aside, understanding that the situation he’d found her in could easily 

be misconstrued. She didn’t know what she would have done if she’d found him in a similar 

situation. The thought was unbearable. 

“No, I would never do something like that.” She shook her head, her voice rising. “This 

engagement isn’t real. His family insisted he get married, and he asked for my help. Lyon and I 

made a deal. He’s returning my stores in exchange for pretending to be his fiancée tonight,” 

she explained. 

“Help with lying and deceiving again, just like when you pretended to be Asher. Wasn’t that 

enough?” Will placed his hands on his hips. 

“No, it wasn’t.” She lifted her chin. “No one, not even our parents, can dictate their children’s 

lives. We should have the freedom to make our own choices. And while it’s not ideal, what 

we’re doing is responding to their impositions and defending our right to choose. I’m not proud 

of what I’m doing, but I know it’s the right thing.” 

“The right thing?” He echoed with irony. “Does that include kissing him and letting him put his 

hands all over you?!” he roared. 

Ashley’s mouth fell open in disbelief. Did he think her capable of kissing anyone but him? 

Were the nights and days of love they’d shared not enough? 

“I did not kiss him!” she cried, feeling wounded. “It’s unbelievable you would think that.” She 

pointed at him, hurt by his distrust. “None of this is what it seems.” She took a step toward 

him, her heart aching. “I know this looks terrible, but I haven’t done anything to jeopardize us. I 

just came here to get back what’s rightfully mine, to be independent like I’ve always wanted. If 

everything goes as planned, this will all be over tonight. I just need you to trust what I’m 

saying, trust me.” 

“Trust you.” He repeated the words with a humorless laugh. 

“Oh, there you are.” Ashley closed her eyes as she heard the new arrival and saw Will step 

back. “We’ve been looking for you. Grandfather wants to retire early, and we’ve asked them to 

serve dinner.” Lyon’s sister touched her shoulder. 

“I’m sorry to interrupt.” She noticed Will. “I’m Hanna Rossi, pleased to meet you.” She extended 

her hand. 

“William Garnet, it’s a pleasure.” 

“Your last name sounds familiar,” she said thoughtfully. 

“You’ve probably heard it somewhere. I’m sorry, but I can’t stay any longer. It seems I’m the one interrupting your evening. I have a flight to catch. It was a pleasure, Hanna. 

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Congratulations on your engagement, Ashley. You’ve sacrificed so much for him.” He gave her 

a cold look and walked away, leaving a knot of despair in Ashley’s chest. Did his last words. 

signify the end of their relationship? Hanna led her back to the table, leaving her lost in thought about what had just transpired. 

“My God, what happened?” Tino leaned toward her, his and Alaia’s faces etched with concern. 

“We’ll talk when we’re back in the room,” she told them both. 

Dinner passed in a blur. She thought about how she had tried to contact Will, but he must 

have been on the plane to Los Angeles. She had hoped to explain everything then, anticipating 

his annoyance at her decision to come, but it would have been easier if he’d heard it from her 

directly, not stumbled upon the scene like this. Still, it didn’t change the fact that he didn’t fully trust her. She would never kiss another man, and the passionate days and nights they’d 

shared were a testament to their love. 

The Rossi family said their goodbyes. 

“Are you alright, dear?” Lyon’s mother asked. “You seem troubled after the proposal.” 

“I’m fine. It was just a surprise, and I’m a little tired. I think we should all get some rest. We 

have to travel to the UK,” she said with a weary smile. 

“Of course, dear. We’ll be in touch to plan the wedding.” 

“Mom, the grandparents are tired. We’ll discuss those matters later.” Lyon approached them. 

“I apologize. I’m just excited about your wedding, son. Everyone, get some rest.” She left, and 

Lyon accompanied them to their room. Alaia put a comforting arm around Ashley’s shoulders, 

and Tino held her hand. 

She opened the door to the room, and they said goodbye to Lyon, leaving her alone with him. 

“These are yours,” he murmured, taking a folder from a hotel staff member. 

Ashley accepted the documents and saw they were the ownership papers for her stores. 

“We’ve fulfilled our end of the bargain,” he affirmed, and she nodded listlessly. 

“What’s wrong?” He frowned. 

“Remember I mentioned a man in my life?” she said after a sigh. 

“Of course. That’s why I couldn’t kiss you and make the most of our deal.” He chuckled mischievously, and she lightly punched his stomach. 

“He saw everything, the engagement, the supposed kiss,” she exhaled, still unsure how Will 

had even found her. 

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“Oh, s**t! I’m sorry.” He touched her shoulder. “I can talk to him if you’d like.” 

“No, I don’t think it would do any good. But thanks for the offer.” She turned to enter the room. 

“Oh my God, what a disaster!” Alaia and Tino were waiting for her, seated on the bed.