Ashley's POV :Feeling a vice-like grip around my chest, I try my best to divert my mind or at least to put it to some ease, knowing that I have very little time left in my hands. But I fail miserably… I fail miserably in everything I do, try to do, or even hope to do.My claustrophobia starts to kick in, and tears start to roll down my already-wet cheeks; but this time, the tears are caused by fear, not humiliation.I start frantically knocking on the door and screaming for help in my desperate efforts to save myself, hoping there will be some way out… there should be a way out! I can't… I can't die here… not this way…But after a while of screaming, my throat starts to hurt… and I begin to reach a horrifying realization with a somewhat calm acceptance: there is nobody to hear my screams, or set me free.I don't even know if he is still here in the house, or if he has already left me to die here alone… I don't know if someone lives in the neighborhood or not, or whether they can hear
Ashley's POV:I shift, only to feel something velvety soft beneath my back.I don't know if this is the heavenly feeling people talk about… that they are supposed to get after death, if they keep their conduct good during their time on earth.I try to open my eyes, and immediately feel a sharp white light stabbing my eyes.‘That's it! I am definitely dead, and finally, my time has come to roam in the heavenly lanes.’Rubbing my eyes, I try to open them once again; after all, I ain't going to miss the chance of roaming in the lanes of heaven at any cost!But the moment I open my eyes, I find myself sleeping on the soft bed that somehow feels familiar to me… and ironically enough, the room too-Ethan's bed… Ethan's bedroom.I'm lying on Ethan's soft king-size velvet mattress inside Ethan's bedroom …But how is this even possible? I am sure that I died last night… or at least I believe it was last night? I don't know exactly how much time has passed since I died.“Did I not go to heaven,
Ethan's POV:Guilt is something that has found a permanent residence in my heart, and it is not because I have done something wrong… but because this girl has the power to mess up all my plans, without even lifting a single finger.I never thought, or imagined that I would give so much power to anyone apart from Emily, but then again… I was never aware that someone is going to step into my life with exactly her face and mannerisms, while carrying completely different sets of fears and allergies.I accept that I had meant to shut the door in my anger, and somehow ended up locking it too… but again, if Emily was in her place, she would have utilized this time in taking a short, energetic, power nap!But this girl… this girl is built different.Every time… every single time, no matter how badly I want to push her away from myself, I am the one who ends up saving her.After all, I can't just let her die with my Emily's face.And this is why my anger breaks through the roof once again, whe
Ashley's POV:I wake up to the smell of fresh croissants and omelets, along with the delicious aroma of coffee.My nostrils are in heaven, and so am I… I don't know if it was a dream where Ethan had somehow saved me from the jaws of death and also threatened to kill me himself, or was it reality… It did feel like a fever dream, for sure… “If you are awake, then come and finish your breakfast. Hurry up, or you'll only get a few minutes to pack whatever you might need from here. We are moving back.”I hear Ethan's voice from somewhere nearby, and finally open my eyes to find him sitting in the same room. Beside the large window overlooking the farmhouse, there is a small coffee table, and there he is… sitting on the side chair with one leg crossed over the other. So it wasn't fake, then. But, what about the feelings and sensations that I was experiencing… were they true, or were they, too, just a dream of mine…My gaze dips down due to embarrassment, and this is when I notice that I'
Ashley's POV:Although we returned to the city that very day, I still didn't get the chance to meet Tiffany… it has been almost two weeks since I last saw her, and I know she would be feeling as uneasy as I am. But there is nothing I can do about it right now… because today is already the day when we have to head to the party.I know, I know that whatever I am going to say to her, about not why I couldn't meet her, is going to sound like an excuse– but it really isn't!In fact, I feel slightly bad for the naive Ashley who thought that coming back was an occasion to celebrate, because ever since we have come back to the city, my schedule has been even more packed. After our return, not only have I had to prepare for the upcoming meeting while also meeting the small shareholders to convince them to sell their shares to me, but also to rehearse the lines Ethan has handed me as a script for the party.I really don't understand this man, or what does he really want from me! Sometimes, he
Ethan's POV:I feel nauseated seeing Ashley already making herself familiar with men twice her age, without any hesitation.Two minutes! It has been two minutes since I left her alone at this party, and she is ready to do the same things Emily would have done… how can they be so similar, yet so different… and at the same time, they are perfectly each other's mirror image when it comes to mannerisms and choices.I feel like it's going to take me ages to figure this girl out, even though I already used to think that I knew Emily… but she ended up giving me the biggest surprise and betrayal at the end anyway! I am still amazed, even after seeing it with my own eyes, how she is busy luring people with her beauty and charms! I can't believe Ashley could also go this low, without caring for any ethical or moral compass… Ashley might pretend to be naive when it comes to business, but when it comes to grabbing attention and sympathy, it looks like she has learnt it from the best of the bes
Ashley's POV:He opens the door, and throws me inside like I'm some piece of furniture that he didn't even want in the first place… but because of some reason, he can't deny the utility and get rid of it.I stumble into the room and grab the first thing I can to support myself; because my head is spinning in circles. I'm standing, leaning against the back of a couch, still trying to process what has happened in the span of an hour… or even the last few minutes? After so many days, I was finally feeling like I wasn't an oddity, like I didn't only want to remain stuck in the past where I felt safe and cherished, but like I also had something to look forward to. I had finally found someone, after what felt like an eternity, who was ready to hear my voice and was interested in my business ideas, without asking for any favors… I had finally found someone who knew my parents and appreciated their hard work, unlike everyone around me who had seemed to have forgotten them and their contrib
#Trigger Warning: Mention of or*l, v*gin*l and an*l intercourse. I find myself battling with the question of self respect and dignity when he comes dangerously close to me, making me flinch. But to my surprise, he places a kiss on my collarbone next. “Why do girls like you always need to have backups around you… why is there no one in this whole world, who is good enough for you… why can't you be loyal to anyone you ever meet?” “But not anymore… not anymore, sweetheart! Because if you haven't learnt how to be loyal to anyone… Then let me teach who you belong to for the next three months, and why you should not forget this.” He says this as a final warning of sorts, before he starts hurting me in every way possible; both physically and mentally… Meanwhile, confusion and fear start to tangle in my mind. What is he doing to me? The accusation in Ethan's eyes was something I can't comprehend. "Don't try to act innocent! I know girls like you are anything but innocent…” Hi
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