Chapter 34: Are You That Desperate?

Three years ago, as soon as Ashton heard that his family was arranging for him to marry Layla, he went to see her. Layla had just graduated from college at the time. She was overjoyed when she heard that she would marry the dashing and remarkable Ashton. She had already had a crush on him, so the prospect of marrying him made her even happier. She assumed he was approaching her to discuss wedding plans, but Ashton's opening words shattered her expectations, "Layla, I don't have any romantic feelings for you, and that won't change in the future. I'm a bit of a player, and I can't commit to just one woman. But my mother thinks highly of you and wants me to get engaged to you. Your family could use some assistance. And if you're okay with all of this, I have no objections to marrying you." In Ashton's opinion, marrying anyone wouldn't make much of a difference, as he wouldn't settle down for one woman. Layla had both beauty and grace and stood out among the daughters of affluent famili