Ethan's POV:“You really didn't think I would figure it out, smartass?”Liam’s voice continues to harass the senses of everyone unlucky enough to be present in the restaurant, who has dropped their conversations and lunch to focus on our table.But while his voice is just an inconvenience to them, it is a nuisance to me– and each word from his cursed mouth is pushing me further to the edge. “Don’t you think I would notice that when no one else in her blood related family even cares about this black sheep…”The drunk ass suddenly stops, choking on his words. He gags, then he leans forward to spit out blood and vomit on the floor in front of him. Pathetic. I leave the idiot to wallow in his misery and turn my focus back to Ashley. He is not my problem right now.“Water. Now!” I snap, and a waiter rushes over with a glass of cold water. I snatch it from his hand and crouch in front of Ashley, crooning softly to not startle her. “Ash, here... have some water. Drink a little bit, Ashl
Ashley's POV:I wake up with a heavy headache, the first sensation that registers in my brain is the pounding in my temples.I open my eyes as slowly as possible, and blink a few times until I can make out the shapes. The first thing I see is Ethan, asleep by my side… half on the bed, and half on the chair beside it.It takes me a while to remember where I am, and how I reached here. And even though I don't remember the complete picture yet, I remember the last person I saw– Liam.I was outside Tiffany's house… when he forcefully snatched me into his car, and after that, he manipulated me to accompany him to some restaurant. That lying swine, he fed me some story about meeting our family, waiting there for me… and also that he had something to show me… a groan escapes my lips at my stupidity. I know I am an idiot for having fallen for that obvious lie, but after the first juice I had, I lost all capability to think or process anything.Trying to push through the fog in my mind, I on
Ashley's POV:I step down in front of the now- familiar facade of Mira Couture, unable to shake the nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach. My stomach tightens slightly as I remember the last time I was here with Emily, and honestly, I am still skeptical about her. Her bratty attitude and rude words hadn't made the experience very pleasant, and I’m still not sure how we’ll handle each other today.But I take a breath, pushing the jitters aside. Today, Ethan is here with me, though, and the staff is also polite and professional. With them around, I try to reassure myself that Emily won’t pull another one of her stunts. I can’t deal with that drama again. Pushing the strap of my purse higher on my shoulder, I straighten up, forcing confidence into each step as I walk inside. I just need to try on my engagement gown, and the outfits for our engagement photoshoot. If all goes as planned, we will be in and out within the hour… The rest of the dresses I had ordered can be taken home,
Ethan's POV:Finally! I know this is going to be the D-day, marking the turning point of our lives– for all three of us. If Emily doesn't say anything to me today, then I might have to take everything to a different approach. I will have to ask her directly, about why she is holding herself back and keeping herself stuck in a situation she doesn't want to stay in.We arrive at the studio at the designated time, and I quickly rush inside to enquire if Emily is here. I was hoping to see her face, waiting for us to arrive.But to my disappointment, the studio is empty.She isn't here yet, and now I have gotten stuck in a situation where I can't even call her and ask when she will be arriving.Just one wrong move on my part, and she will know I have been faking all of this till now.She will see through all my lies, and find out that everything about my life going perfectly without her is a drama! And in fact, I am still stuck at the place where she left me years ago. And just like tha
Ashley's POV:It all happened in the blink of an eye. Just a moment ago, Ethan was laying in my lap… and now, he has rushed back into the building without thinking anything, or considering how tough it was for me to bring him out of there the first time.But right now, I don't have time to analyze or criticize his actions or him; I have to save him again.With this thought, I jump up from the ground, dusting off my clothes. I'm just about to run behind him with all the strength I have left, when a cold laughter stops me in my tracks, coming from somewhere behind me. “You still want to be the delusional one here and believe that he is marrying you because of love? It's high time, Ashley! You shouldn't recognize the fact that he is marrying you, just because he wants to make me jealous–”“Seriously, Emily! Are you even in your senses? What the hell is wrong with you? And even if he is marrying me to make you jealous, then I guess he is winning very well! Because you are hella jealous.
Ashley's POV:Where am I?I open my eyes to see the white light filtering into the room, touching my face and making me realize I am still clinging to the life that I thought might have ended after that roof had fallen in front of me.“So is it true? Am I dead–”“No, you aren't dead, silly! In fact! You will be discharged by the evening today.”A voice knocks on my eardrums, telling me that I'm not alone… but when I look around within my limited range of movement, I don't see anyone's face. I can recognize that voice from somewhere, though…Knowing that it is a familiar tone, I try to push the limits of my brain to remember the name of its owner, but all I can remember right now are the flashbacks to the studio. And just like that, the pain I felt after Ethan left me there in the blazing fire– just to rush towards Emily, starts to bloom in my chest with a vengeance. I get it, I was the foolish one to believe my own version of the explanation, that he was trying to save her just beca
Ashley's POV:“Not a chance.”Robert's firm voice and no- nonsense answer makes me realize that it is going to be way tougher to convince him to leave, than it was for Tiffany.But I at least have to try, since this is all I seem to be able to do right now.“Robert, please try to understand, it's something–”“Ashley! You aren't just troubled because of Ethan alone… are you? There is something more that you are trying to hide.”He hits the hammer right on the nail; I have indeed been hiding the reasons that have started to bug me.There is no way out for me, from the point where I am currently standing. I was supposed to get engaged the day after tomorrow, and after that, the shares of my dad's company– that are currently in Ethan's name– were about to be transferred under my name.But I don't know anything about whether the engagement will proceed, just like I have no idea what's going to happen with those shares.God, not only do I have a badly messed up personal life, but my profess
Ashley's POV:Tears start to shed from my eyes, slowly at first– then cascading down my face like some magnificent waterfall.I have been hurt in the past, and I used to think that was pretty bad… but the pain I am going through right now– nothing can ever compare to this.I can understand that Ethan is not responsible for anything, and the reason behind it as well. I know that I can't drag him into all of this or put any part of the blame on him… but after realizing that it wasn't just an accident but a pre- planned murder, I can't help but feel guilty myself.The guilt is dark, bleak… all- consuming. I should have known! I should have known that there are many hidden enemies of my family, ready to attack anytime and snatch the pillar of success they were so jealous of.I should have known what my parents didn't– I should have done something earlier, when there was still time to save them.But I failed, I failed miserably when the time came, to fulfill my duties. I wasn't able to