Ashley’s POV:Somehow, a full fortnight has passed since that incident, and only now have I finally managed to make myself composed again. Or as composed as a daughter can be, after finding out such harrowing details about the accident that snatched away both her parents at once, which she and everyone else had blamed as a cruel twist of fate. And this all has become possible, only because of Robert. Because Tiffany has again vanished somewhere, without informing either of us. But Robert has not left my side since that day, and has proven that he was the friend whom I have indeed been lacking in my life. Not only has he found a good forensic clinic for me, but he has helped me arrange all the tests… and today, the results are going to arrive.He has also helped me keep myself together, by reminding me about the fact that I have a dream to fulfill and a business to run… he is the perfect person any girl can desire to have in their lives.But even after all these things, I keep askin
Ashley's POV:I can tell you that it was the most traumatic and horrifying moment of my life, which can easily win the title of best short horror movie of all time.The clock, ticking away on the wall in front of me, is indicating the passing seconds of time, which are slowly slipping out of my hands… but at the same time the thought of why Ethan has replied to me today is haunting me so badly that I am unable to think straight. Or even breathe properly. The only thing that is striking against the drum of my mind repeatedly, is the question of why he has replied today… today of all days? At this time, out of all the hours, minutes and seconds I have spent wishing him to be here… here, with me.All these days, when I have been torturing myself non- stop every waking moment, thinking about what he would be doing now, or what I have done to him for him to react like that!But now I see that in fact, the problem is that I didn't do anything… anything at all.I haven't broken any rule of
Ethan's POV: I wait patiently for the reply for the first few minutes, knowing that Ashley hardly takes two to three minutes to reply to my messages. Maybe she will be even quicker, now that she has received a reply after days. But when she doesn't text me back, even after ten minutes, I impulsively start to check my phone every minute. She might be busy with something, that's why she hasn't seen my text yet? I was expecting an excited reply from her side, knowing that she won't be able to refrain herself from asking me where the hell I have been, and why the fuck I behaved like a jerk… or how I have been not reachable to all this time. Because the girl I left behind is someone who can't tame her curiosity to save her life, unless and until she believes you blindly. And once you get to that zone, she doesn't shut up for a minute to give anyone even a little fragment of peace, not even to save their life! But something strange is happening this time; it has been almost hal
Ethan's POV: My heart misses a beat in panic, as I realize that the girl raised with princess treatment well into her twenties, is the same one with her infamous habit of dragging herself into critically dangerous situations, where she herself manages to risk her life– every single time, without fail. I mean, if anybody can prove me wrong in this, then I am willing to give him whatever amount they quote as their bidding amount. Because each single time that I think, what else can happen to her, which is worse than what has already happened, she proves me wrong and shows that it can indeed be worse… much, much worse than my imagination. Sometimes, she really makes me think that it would be easier for me to walk to the moon barefoot than keep her alive. I pick up the phone, put the fork down, and dial her number. She finally receives my call, seconds before it is about to disconnect, and my panic rises to the roof because I still haven't heard anything from the other side. It m
Ashley's POV:Ethan's words somehow managed to heal something inside my heart… something that wasn't broken because of him in the first place. But the heart that has indeed been broken by his actions starts to pound so heavily, as I slowly remember everything that had happened on that day.The brutal confrontation with my family, that has shattered all my remaining belief in the institution of family itself.And just when I thought that everything was going to be fine again, once I reached Ethan, because this man had started to become the answer to every question that I had… the solution to every problem in my life… the protective roof to my open land, and the solid floor to my baseless life.But that day! That day had already decided to register itself in the list of the worst days of my life. Because first, I had to flee from the girl's day out that Tiffany had planned, disappointing her a little.Then everything that my family did to me in that party, and the humiliation that I h
Ashley's POV:I have always heard that a good kiss has the power to make the girl forget the world and I have previously felt Ethan's kisses making me forget everything… even myself too.But as he presses his lips against mine, I feel it tugging at my heart. I never thought that his kiss would be able to make me forget the pain, whose sole reason was he himself.Without breaking the kiss, he reaches for me and pulls me into his lap, where he is seated on the floor. I feel the couch beneath me give way as I wrap my legs around his waist, trying to get as close to him as possible. My hands loop around his neck on instinct, and he is holding me like I might slip away if he lets go; while he continues to kiss me as if he is trying to drink me in… to fill some deep, desperate thirst. I don't know if it's just me, who is feeling scared that once this kiss is over, he is again going to disappear somewhere; or is he feeling the same? Because I don't see anything other than this fear in the
Ashley's POV:I enter the house, to find that every single thing is the same as the day I left, without knowing what was going to happen next.Suddenly, I feel a pang in my chest, and the reminder of his betrayal lifts its head once again. The numbing, electric sensation that always accompanies the memory of that day also kicks in, making a tear appear in my eye once again.How is it possible that I have been able to forget the most brutal thing my supposed family has said and done to me, and yet, I am unable to forget the feeling of betrayal that this act of Ethan has given me… even when he has already promised to tell me the reason behind it too.But I have to be strong, I have to hide my pain, my tears and my betrayal in the dark corners of my heart, from where nobody will ever be able to find out what was hidden beneath that once upon a time… not even me.“Ashley! Darling, just come and sit here. I will be bringing the food–”“Peter, I am not really hungry–”“Just accompany me, th
Ashley's POV:I’m ready, and for once, I think I look beautiful, even by my own standards. My hair is pulled up in a messy bun, with loose tendrils framing my face. My makeup is light, just enough to enhance my features, with a soft pink on my lips. I can’t help but smile as I check myself out in the mirror one last time. This dress, the way it hugs my figure and the drama of the sleeves, it’s everything I could have hoped for.Stepping out of the bedroom, I expect to find Ethan waiting, but the house is empty. The only light is coming from the dining area, so I head there, my heels clicking softly on the floor. As I approach the table, I see an envelope with Ethan’s handwriting on it. My curiosity piques as I pick it up. "Your first gift for this evening," it reads. I open it, and I quickly open the envelope, my curiosity getting the better of me.Turning it upside down, and out falls a thin, golden bracelet in the middle of my palm. It is a delicate chain, with small stars studded
Ashley's POV:I take a glance at the clock, I have a few minutes to myself before we have to leave for lunch. After saying goodbye to Mike, I plan on finally telling my feelings to Ethan when he is sober… judging by the state he was in last time, he probably isn't going to remember anything about our conversation. Just as I lift the second earring from the dresser, my phone rings, vibrating with an urgency. It is a call from my assistant, and I receive it quickly. “Yes M–”“Ma'am, did you see the news? The quotations from Mr. Johnson's bids are all over the place just before the bid is due to start, and everyone is speculating that it is you. News agencies are reaching out for an interview ma'am, what are we supposed to do?”“Okay… I will see what I have to do.”I disconnect the call, feeling a pit in my stomach. Of course, the public opinion will be against me now, as he has just said over the call. But not only that, Ethan might doubt me too… because I am the single person he ha
Ashley's POV: Although I have mentioned to Mike that I have to pick Adrin up, I still drive towards the church, knowing that I have lied to him.But why do I have to lie to him? Because if we are going to marry each other, it should be normal… a normal gesture of affection between couples, right? I gulp, realizing that the answer is painfully obvious. I know I am not being honest with anyone… neither him, nor with my own self. Caught up in this dilemma, I reach home, knowing that today is scheduled as Ethan's turn with Adrin.To my surprise, I find Adrin sleeping peacefully on his bed, having changed out of his uniform. And Ethan's car is still parked by the entrance…Finally, I notice Ethan… sitting on the floor, beside the couch, which is probably why I missed him in the first place. I walk around the couch with careful footsteps, until he comes fully into my view… and so does the drink in his hand, which he is chugging like no tomorrow. Rushing towards him, I quickly snatch t
Ashley's POV:Nobody can imagine the pain and frustration I have spent my night with… aside from stomping on my own pride and having to call off the engagement for the second time, the papers of the custody were something that I was fearing the most.But now when I have them in my hands, the only emotion I have left inside me is anger.Pure rage running through my veins like molten lava…It is in this anger that I rush to his house to confront him, the house I'm extremely familiar with. And without any consideration, I make a beeline for the stairs, directly barging into his room without even knocking or waiting.But the moment I step inside, I realize what a mistake I have made, because Ethan is in there… half- dressed as he is changing his clothes. It takes me a moment to process, and I have probably been staring at him for a few minutes straight before I spin on my heel, facing the door. The word “sorry" is on the tip of my tongue, but he chuckles before that;“Umm… hey Princess!
Ashley's POV:The incident of me falling and Ethan going completely insane because of panic, has done nothing else but to add itself in the list of evidence for something I don't want to acknowledge.His reaction was not only enough for letting me know the feelings in his heart, but his actions were enough to spread this news through the entire office too!And this is what has been keeping me awake at nights… I know that Mike obviously knows everything about that event, but that's not all. What's bothering me more than that, is the fact that he hasn't asked anything from me.At the same time, I haven't asked anything from him, either. But I know we can't go on like this… I need to tell him the truth and ask him the reason for his absence.With this thought, I step on the brakes, snatching my purse from the passenger seat as I get down in front of Mike's house. I step inside without knocking, knowing that he lives alone and my shouts are enough to tell him about my arrival.“Mike!! Mik
Ashley's POV: Even though I have committed to prepone the engagement, to save myself from the great disaster… I don't know what exactly I am supposed to do next.However, before I can do anything, my phone chimes, notifying me that I have received a text from Mike. The text is simple, with several sample invitations attached to it.“Please check these out, and let me know whichever one you like.”I quickly select the one that I have opened the first out of all, and text him back.“Should we announce a party before the engagement?”The text bubbles pop up within seconds, materializing into a reply soon enough. “Yes! I am ready to do everything which makes you happy. If you want to announce a party, then we will call one.”“Thank you!! Can you get me this invitation ready within five minutes, even in digital format? I need to send it to someone urgently.”“Whatever you want sweetheart.”With this message, he signs off and comes back within five minutes. “Here you go! See you tomorro
Ashley's POV:At last, I managed to drop Ethan off after lying to him, only to reach the hospital and find Adrin awake and sitting up on his bed. The moment I walk in, the first question Adrin has asked me is,“Mumma, where is Dadda?”But I am way too caught up in my inner conflict to give him a logical reply, or even think of one. Everything that happened in the daycare is still overwhelming my senses to the extent where I just pull him closer to my chest.Hugging him tightly, as I finally ask him a question which has been bugging me for too long. “Adrin!! Baby, why didn't you tell mumma that the kids in the day care are bullying you–”“Because Dadda has told me that I am a big boy, who has to protect his mother till he is not there to protect both of us, and anyways, I am a brave boy!! Who knows how to protect himself–”“Awww!! Come here my sweetie pie, who taught you all this…?”“Dadda!!!”Adrin exclaims, before the next words tumble out of his mouth without any breaks. “Mumma,
Ashley's POV:Even I wasn't very hopeful at first, but somehow, I have finally convinced Ethan to stand up on his feet, almost dragging him out of the church when he's practically in a waking coma. And knowing his miserable state, I know he isn't going to be able to drive at all. So the best idea that comes into my mind is to drop him to his house first, and then rush back to the hospital.Although, it is the first time I have seen him cry like this… and while seeing him in this state, the logical woman inside me has been compelling me to tell him the truth for a while now.But the mother inside me has been continuously warning me against it; and the best way to deter me is by telling me the consequences of my honesty.Since the moment he has started crying bitterly, the overly logical mother that also lives inside me, who believes in teaching her child the chapter of honesty, has suddenly turned into a bloody hypocrite. Going against her beliefs, she has started to preach another le
Ashley's POV:I have never seen Ethan as angry as he is right now; like he isn't made of bones and muscles, but thunder and rage. I don't have a single doubt in my mind that he is ready to tear down the entire building if Lily wouldn't appear in front of him within minutes.The director understands the assignment and quickly calls Lily Allen to the office; as the policies protecting her staff have gone out of the window real quick.With the summons now being sent for Miss Allen, the fear of Ethan ripping the soul straight out of her body starts to scare me. I mean I want the worst punishment for her in this entire world… I want her as far away as she could from the kids, but I don't want her to become the victim of Ethan's wrath right away! “Ethan, calm down…”I find myself tugging at his sleeve, trying to get through to him. He flashes me a look, glancing at me only through the corners of his eyes. “Calm down? Ash!! You still want me to calm down, even after hearing the crap that
Ethan's POV:The moment I heard the words of Stephanie, I could feel something breaking inside me.In my life, I have come across many monsters disguised in human appearance, and probably, I am also one of them.But none of them have turned out to be so cruel, to be capable of saying these types of things in front of not just one kid, but his entire class… and not only that, but to actually ask other kids to stay away from that poor soul and bully him!And saying that it's all okay because he doesn't have anyone to fight for his rights…“Stephanie, sweetheart! Can you please tell us what happened that day?”Ashley's words bring me back to reality at the critical moment, before my guilt would have killed me with its sharp claws. And as soon as her voice pauses after posing the question, Stephanie chimes in with an enthusiastic yes, and continues with her narration.This is the real bliss of childhood; they don't really understand the things which have hurt them in the past, but now, it