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:“Goodbye! Sister…”He stands up from his seat, the look on his face showing the miseries he is going through. The surprising part is that, in just a span of ten odd minutes, I am no longer able to see the old, cunning and selfish Liam anywhere.“Thank you!”My tongue betrays me once again and he gives me a genuine smile, before leaving the place along with the officer and two guards in tow. My legs begin their task of bringing me out of the place of their own accord; I don't remember how I got in the car and when I covered the entire distance between the prison and my old parental house.Parking the car in the garage, I remember the words that my mother said to me once. It has been more than five years since I last heard her speak, but it's one of the most amazing things that I still remember her voice crystal clear… like she never left my side at all. “Ash! Baby! Never feel inferior to anyone, okay? These people who say that Liam is going to be the owner of everythin
Ashley's POV:“Your house!? What a joke, Ashley!! Do you somehow have lost your mind, along with your purity?!”Aunt May’s voice screams in my ears, coupled with her hoarse laughter… as if she has cracked the funniest joke in the world. If anything, I really want to slap her hard for the words she has been using for me and my son, but I remain quiet on this insult of hers. Because when I react, I don't want anyone to have any excuses to claim that I didn't give them a chance to speak their mind first. And instead, I decide to reply to her first doubt. “Yes! My house, logically, legally and morally: in all three regards, this house belongs to me. So I don't understand, what do you want to imply?”This seemed to push some specific button for aunt Estie, who jumps in vigorously into the conversation to defend her sister- in- law. “It wasn't that hard, Ashley! May simply wanted to imply that if you have forgotten, then let us remind you, that you yourself have transferred the house un