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
Ashley's POV:“Consider it done dear, do you want anything else? And before that, tell me, where are you? We need to tighten your security arrangements right away, it is already late at night. Do you want this arrest to wait till morning–”“No uncle. If I wanted this arrest to face any further delays, then I would have gone to the police first. But because I need this arrest to happen right away, that's why I called you. I know these are pretty big names in the city, and special orders are required to arrest them, however–”“Oh, you don't have to worry about anything, my dear. Let your uncle handle all of this, you just take care of one thing; don't step out of your house till I myself knock on your door and ask you to come outside.I get your point, that you want to go with the team to arrest Liam— and if I am not wrong, he is your cousin? But I can't let you go without the security detail, so just wait for an hour. Everything will be sorted by then, and I will be at your doorstep.”
Ashley's POV:I storm out of the mansion and start walking at a rapid place, only God knows where to. Meanwhile, Stuart was continuously following me, thankfully without saying a single word. Before I would have barged into the large stone monument placed in the middle of the road and broken my leg, Stuart quickly pulls me aside.I take a few moments to focus on what's in front of me, after being yanked out of my path, and Stuart finally opens his mouth. “Ma'am! Are you alright? I know what I am going to say might offend you, as someone who has just lost your entire family all over again, and that too, so soon after your loss. But this is the reality of life, young girl! I might not look much older than you, but trust me, I am old enough to be at a stage where I can easily claim to know a few things. So far, I have seen enough to tell you that there is nothing that stays forever or can be considered constant and unchanging. In fact, if there is one thing that is constant in this wo
Ashley’s POV:I reached back at 11: 30, and by this time I realize that this has probably been the longest day of my life.In fact, the heaviest one too… the day I got to know that my parents' aren't here anymore, also seems to be lighter than this.On that day, I had lost a part of my life–but today I have lost the other half of my life, only leaving with the one third of the life force inside me.I throw my phone on the sofa, knowing that the news has already made it to the headlines, about the murder and arrest.And now, the paparazzi will be covering the gate of my house like the bees guarding a beehive.And while this a new tension that has appeared in front of me, I have other things to wrap up too and on the top of that list I have two people whom I need to talk privately, but I didn't have to the courage to ask them directly, this was when my phone vibrated and a text appeared on my phone and a message from Tiffany popped up.Ash! I am my way to pick you up, after what I have
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