[BL] Dear Hushand, I want divorce-Chapter 141: Second husband?

Ryder stood at Ash’s door, nervously rubbing the back of his neck. He didn’t even know where to start, but he had to try. When Ash opened the door, he looked at him curiously, not sure why Ryder would show up out of the blue.

"Ryder? What are you doing here?" Ash asked, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed.

Ryder tried to smile, but it came out weak. "I, uh...I need to talk to you. Can we go inside?"

Ash raised an eyebrow but stepped aside, letting Ryder into the apartment. They sat down, and after a moment of awkward silence, Ash leaned forward, eyes narrowing slightly. "So, what’s going on? Why are you here?"

Ryder looked uncomfortable as he rubbed the back of his neck again, clearly not sure how to approach the topic. "I need...your advice. About Noah."

Ash blinked in surprise, his suspicion immediately heightened. "Noah? Why? What’s this about?"

Ryder let out a heavy sigh. "I messed things up with him. Badly. I need to make it up to him, but I don’t know how."

Ash frowned, his suspicion quickly turning into something else—concern. "Wait. So I was right. There is something going on between you two?"

Ryder nodded slowly, his face filled with regret. "Yeah. There was something...But I screwed it up. Big time."

Ash’s eyes narrowed. "Noah wouldn’t tell me anything. Ever since I got back, he’s been...different. Sad. He stays at home all the time, hardly talks to anyone. You’re telling me this is because of you?"

Ryder winced at that. Hearing how Noah had withdrawn from everything because of him made him feel even worse. "Yeah," he admitted quietly. "It’s my fault."

Ash stood up suddenly, anger building in his chest. "You better start explaining, Ryder. What the hell did you do to him?"

Ryder sighed again. He began to explain everything—how he and Noah had been spending time together, how things had gotten complicated, and how Noah had developed feelings for him. Ryder told Ash about how he’d pushed Noah away, told him to move on, and now regretted everything.

Ash’s disbelief turned into fury. "So you knew Noah had feelings for you, and you used him? Is that what you’re telling me?"

Ryder stood up, shaking his head quickly. "No! I didn’t use him—well, I didn’t mean to. Noah agreed to everything, Ash. But...maybe I was using him. I didn’t want to admit it at the time, but I could feel that Noah was falling for me. And I just...I let it happen."

Ash’s face twisted with anger. "Do you even hear yourself? You’re telling me you led him on because it was convenient for you?"

Ryder lowered his head, guilt flooding him. "I know. I know I messed up. I’m ashamed of it. But it wasn’t just that. I didn’t realise how much Noah meant to me until it was too late. Now I can’t stop thinking about him, Ash. I—" He paused, struggling with the words. "I love him. I’m really sorry for what I did, but I love him, and I don’t want to lose him."

Ash let out a sharp laugh, though there was no humour in it. "Love him? Now you love him? After you’ve already broken his heart? Ohh!! I can’t believe you!"

"I know it sounds awful. But it’s the truth. I didn’t realise how much he meant to me until I pushed him away. I need to make it right."

Ash stared at Ryder, eyes blazing with wrath.

Elijah, who had been listening from the next room, stepped in when he heard Ash’s voice rise. "Ash, calm down," Elijah said softly, placing a hand on Ash’s arm to keep him from lashing out further.

Ash shook his head angrily. "No, Elijah, you don’t get it. He hurt Noah. He used his feelings, and now he thinks he can just say he’s sorry, and everything will be fine."

Elijah looked at Ryder with disappointment but tried to keep the peace. "Ryder, what you did...it wasn’t right."

Ryder’s face was full of regret. "I know that. I’m not asking for forgiveness right away. I just...I need to try."

Ash turned to Elijah, his voice firm. "And you better not even think about helping him, Elijah."

Elijah raised his hands in surrender, though there was a small smirk playing on his lips. "Don’t worry, babe. I wouldn’t dream of it. Whatever you say goes." He leaned in and kissed Ash on the cheek, his gesture softening Ash’s fury just a little.

Ash turned back to Ryder, his expression still hard. "Noah isn’t someone who can just forgive people. He doesn’t let people back into his life that easily, especially when they’ve hurt him."

Ryder nodded, understanding just how difficult the road ahead would be. "I know. But I’m not giving up. I’ll do whatever it takes."

Ash let out a long sigh, clearly frustrated but resigned. "Well, good luck with that. But you’re on your own. We’re not going to help you fix what you broke."

Elijah, still holding Ash’s hand, gave Ryder a nod of encouragement, though there was no mistaking the seriousness of his gaze. "Don’t screw it up again, Ryder."

Ash hadn’t been able to shake the sadness that lingered after his confrontation with Ryder. As soon as Ryder left, a wave of emotions hit him like a storm. He knew too well what it felt like to have someone mess with your heart. The thought of Noah going through that kind of pain without saying a word...it broke him.

He grabbed his jacket, telling Elijah he’d be back soon, and hurried to Noah’s place. When Noah opened the door, he was immediately caught off guard by Ash’s tear-streaked face. Ash didn’t say anything. He just rushed in and hugged Noah tightly, burying his face in his shoulder.

"Ash?" Noah asked, concerned as he wrapped his arms around his friend. "What happened? Did Elijah do something?"

Ash shook his head furiously, tears continuing to fall. "No...it’s not Elijah."

Noah’s worry deepened. "Then what is it? You’re scaring me, Ash. What’s going on?"

Ash didn’t say anything for a moment, just held onto Noah like he was the only thing keeping him from falling apart. Noah frowned, his protective instincts kicking in. He pulled back slightly, his eyes scanning Ash’s face. "Ash, I swear, if anyone hurts you, just say the word. I’ll deal with them myself."

Ash lifted his head, his face flushed from crying, and looked up at Noah, his expression heartbroken. "Why didn’t y-you tell me, Noah?"

Noah blinked, confused. "Tell you what? Ash, what are you talking about?"

Ash’s lip quivered as he wiped his eyes with his sleeve. "About Ryder...Why didn’t you tell me he was the one who hurt you? Why didn’t you tell me you were going through all this pain alone?"

Noah’s eyes widened in surprise. He hadn’t expected Ash to know, let alone confront him like this. "Who told you?" he asked quietly, though he already had a good idea.

Ash didn’t answer immediately. His voice wavered as he spoke. "Why? Don’t you trust me? Am I not your friend? Why would you keep something like this from me?"

Noah sighed deeply, guiding Ash to the couch. They sat down, and Noah looked at him with a mix of guilt and resignation. "It’s not that I don’t trust you, Ash. I just...didn’t want to burden you with my mess. You had your own stuff going on, and I didn’t want to drag you into it."

Ash sniffed, still wiping his tears. "I’m your friend, Noah. You don’t have to go through stuff like this alone. I would’ve been there for you. It hurts knowing you didn’t even tell me."

Noah leaned back, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I’m sorry. I didn’t want to worry you. I thought I could handle it on my own."

Ash pouted, his sadness slowly turning into anger. "Handle it? Noah, you’ve been miserable! You don’t go out anymore, you barely talk to anyone...I knew something was wrong, but you didn’t even give me a chance to help you."

Noah winced, realizing how much he had shut everyone out. "I didn’t mean to push you away. I just...I didn’t know how to deal with everything. And Ryder...well, that was a mess I didn’t want anyone else to see."

Ash’s eyes filled with fresh tears, but this time, there was a sharpness in his voice. "That bastard. How could he do that to you? How could he mess with your feelings?"

Noah chuckled softly, though there was no real humour in it. "Yeah, well, I guess I’m just that unlucky when it comes to love."

Ash frowned, shaking his head. "No, you don’t deserve this. You’re amazing, and Ryder’s an idiot for not realising that."

Noah smiled at his friend’s fierce loyalty. "You’re sweet, Ash. But it’s not entirely his fault. I let myself get caught up in it. I knew it was a bad idea from the start."

Ash sniffed, wiping his face again as he muttered, "I still want to punch him for hurting you."

Noah laughed softly, trying to lighten the mood. "I’d pay good money to see you try."

Ash’s lip quirked up into a small smile. "I’m serious. If Ryder shows up again, I swear I’ll—"

"Relax," Noah interrupted, shaking his head with amusement. "I don’t need you getting into fights for me. Besides, he’s already on my bad side. I’m not exactly rolling out the red carpet for him."

Ash crossed his arms, still fuming. "Yeah, well, he better stay far away, or I might accidentally trip and spill something on him."

Noah chuckled, standing up to go to the freezer. He pulled out a tub of ice cream and waved it at Ash. "Here. Want some Ice cream?"

Ash’s eyes lit up at the sight of the ice cream, but he still grumbled, "It better be chocolate."

Noah smiled and handed Ash a spoon as he sat back down. "Of course. Only the best for you."

They ate in silence for a few minutes. Ash took a big spoonful, his voice muffled as he muttered, "Ryder doesn’t deserve someone like you."

Noah rolled his eyes but couldn’t help smiling. "You really hate him now, huh?"

Ash pointed his spoon at Noah. "Damn right I do. He hurt you, and I won’t forgive him for that."

Noah laughed again, feeling lighter than he had in days. "Thanks for looking out for me, Ash. You’re such a good friend."

Ash smiled through his lingering tears. "I just want you to be happy. And if that jerk ever comes near you again, I’ll make sure he regrets it."

Noah ruffled Ash’s hair affectionately. "Alright, alright. I get it. Now, stop eating all the ice cream."

Ash snorted, scooping another big spoonful. "Not a chance. This is payback for all the stress you’ve put me through."

Noah just shook his head.

Ash clung to his arm, wiping his teary eyes dramatically as he sniffled. "Don’t worry! I’ll marry you and help you get over your heartbreak."

Noah let out a deep, genuine laugh, ruffling Ash’s hair as if comforting a child. "Oh yeah? And what about Elijah, huh? You’re gonna dump him for me?"

Ash grumbled, pulling away just slightly but not letting go of Noah’s arm. "I’ll marry both of you!" he declared with a pout. "We can figure it out."

Noah chuckled again, shaking his head. "Do you even hear yourself? Three people in a marriage?"

Ash huffed, clearly committed to his outlandish plan. "Yeah, why not? I love Elijah, but I can’t let you be all sad and alone either. You need someone to take care of you, and I’m the best for the job."

Noah raised an eyebrow, amused. "I don’t know. You might have some competition with your boyfriend."

"I’ll fight him! You’ll see. I’ll win!"

Noah shook his head in disbelief, pulling Ash into a side hug. "You’re a real piece of work, you know that?"

Ash mumbled, "Yeah," before grumbling further under his breath. "And if Ryder so much as looks at you the wrong way again, I’m throwing hands."

Noah couldn’t stop smiling at Ash’s relentless support. "Don’t worry, I’m sure Elijah will love being your second husband."

Ash giggled, looking up at Noah with his usual bright, playful eyes. "He’ll get used to it. And besides, with both of us by your side, you’ll never need to worry about Ryder or anyone else ever again."

Noah playfully rolled his eyes. "I appreciate the offer, Ash. Really, I do. But I think I’ll pass on being part of your weird love triangle."

Ash gave a dramatic sigh, pulling away slightly to look up at Noah. "Fine, but it’s an option!"

Noah smiled softly. "I’ll keep that in mind."