Ethan's POV:Everything has gone blank for a moment… or moments, I don't know!One minute, the world was spinning and the next, it stopped… just like that.In fact, everything has stopped in front of my eyes since I have seen her. I want to rush towards her… hold her in my arms, kiss her on her lips… but all I can do is stay frozen like a statue at my place, completely still. I didn't even realize that I have been holding my breath, refraining my eyes from blinking as if the dream I'm seeing through open eyes will disappear, the moment I blink, walk, speak or even breathe.This is when someone else walks into frame, and I can't help but watch in astonishment. It's a kid… the same kid whom I saw in the park of the hotel just this morning.What is he doing here, is he with one of the guests?As if answering my unspoken question, the little boy lurching towards her, trying to jump out of the arms of a man in his early fifties or late forties.A kid!?Ashley has a kid… a baby boy!?She
Ethan's POV:“Mike Houston!” I murmur to myself, recalling the face in front of my eyes, while a smirk appears on my own. Finally…! Finally, I have found a way to get all the answers to the questions that have been bothering me.In my entire life, never have I known anything so clearly about what I have to do next! I have never been so sure about anything, apart from this.I make my way out of the venue, chuckling silently, knowing exactly what I am supposed to do now. I mean, what are the odds of Ashley being with that man who is desperate to start his new project with me?This is definitely the power of my love that she is back. That even after so long, she couldn't help but come back to this city, back to the place where our love had bloomed, and back to me… where I am desperately waiting for her.The Universe knew that if I didn't see her even now, then I might not be able to survive. But despite this mercy on my soul, I have still decided to leave the function without meeting h
Ashley's POV:“I have a surprise for you and Adrin!”Those were Mike's words before he convinced me for the ten day trip to a private island, along with all the family and friends we have… yes, the found family I have created over the years.And of course, he has made all these arrangements to celebrate Adrin's birthday.Although, this time I wanted to keep it simple and sweet– like celebrating it only with the family, baking a cake and going on shopping sprees with Adrin, and spending the day doing everything that he likes.Mike has always gone overboard on his birthday for the last two years, claiming that this is what his dad would have been doing too.But only I know how private his dad really is, and even though he would have gone extravagant, he still would not be choosing the style of parties Mike was fond of : inviting tons of guests whom we have never met once, with lots of pomp and show. I have never stopped Mike from expressing his love for Adrin, but I think he has some i
Ashley's POV:I know agreeing to Mike’s proposal for marriage was not a good idea, but I was happy to take this step because of Adrin's sake; knowing that it will be enough of a reason for me, for a lifetime. Regardless of that, trusting Mike about his choice in idols was definitely the worst idea I can ever think of!His business idol is none other than Ethan Johnson. This has to be a prank on my life itself; to think that I have been running away from Ethan for five years, erased all traces of my presence from the internet, tried everything to hide myself from him– even changed my name so that he doesn't recognize it anywhere! And one stupid day, I decided to return some favors to Mike and made the decision to not only invest in his project, but also become an emotional support pillar to him and visit his idol’s office with him.How would I have known that this was the man he was always dying to meet?And leaving that aside, how frequently does this stone heart, stone head change
Ethan's POV:The words “we are getting engaged after the completion of this project… that is in three months” take some time to register. They fee like bullet shots to my ears.Engaged!?Ashley! With someone else!!While I am still alive…?No, not on my watch.But I know I can't say it out loud.I know I'm the culprit who has hurt her… who let her walk away from my life, and don't didn't know how to bring her back to me… how to apologize to her, when her happiness is the only thing that I care most about in this world.And while I was so desperately searching for her, there was a time when I had started to believe in something I have only heard about in poetic descriptions. In her absence and my hopelessness, I was driven to the brink of desperation and prayed for her one glimpse, just one– saying that I would have been happy in her happiness, even if it lies with someone else.But I have to admit I am not a saint, nor as good as I thought I would be.Because seeing her with Mike h
Ashley's POV:Ethan's smirk is visible enough to make me aware that this is undoubtedly a part of his plan to make us work in his office, but what is the reason behind it? Nobody knows that apart from him, himself! And poor Mike is too innocent to understand any of his tactics.This is why my heart is screaming with panic and I was so paranoid of coming here, at all.Then again, there was something I had to do: attend the final trials for Liam's verdict, take Adrin to his grandparents’ grave and introduce him to his roots… to the home where I have grown up.And along with this, the upcoming bid that has the potential to change the entire arc of my business has compelled me completely to return.But while returning, I have been mindful of some things. I had thought that by now, Ethan would just be happily married to Emily, and would have completely forgotten about me… and the ring on his finger is indeed testifying my theory, so I don't understand his efforts to keep us in his office
Ethan's POV:The moment they leave my office, I feel like they have taken my heart away with them– ripping it out of my chest and pushing me back on my chair.My lifeless body falls back on my seat, because I have the grave misfortune of breathing while seeing my life walk away from me once again.She is walking slowly, but the slower her pace, the more pain I am going through. And this has nothing to do with her arms intertwined with Mike's. But because with every step that she takes, I am being reminded of the fact that she isn't in my life anymore. And not because of any external factors or her own will– simply because of the silliest mistake of my life.Maria rushes into my cabin, probably due to the loud noise caused by the breaking of glass as I turn my entire desk upside down in anger, frustration, pain, or overwhelming emotions. I'm not sure what I am supposed to label it yet… or for that instance, if I even want to label it or not.All I know is that, whatever I am going t
Ashley's POV:This time, I turn around, whirling around to face Liam, still not believing my ears or the words of someone I don't trust… someone I won't trust again. I stutter in spite of myself,“You… you are lying… lying, right?”I place the question in front of Liam purely for my own satisfaction, knowing well enough that what he just mentioned wasn't wrong, either.He might have manipulated me in the past, but I've learned from my mistakes now. And this time, I know well enough that if he hadn't been getting anything from anyone, there was no way he would have known this in the first place.“No! I am not… the extra money you send goes into paying the fee for my lawyer, and fulfilling everything that I desire after being locked up here–”“No it is not possible! They can't possibly be using my hard earned money to save the person who killed my parents!”I slam my hand on the table, only for Liam to speak up almost immediately.“I alone didn't kill your parents–”“Yes, you alone did
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