Ashley's POV:I wake up to find an empty bed, a sore body and broken soul with me.I feel my eyes burning with tears that refuse to be shed, when I'm bombarded by the memories of last night.Last night for me, was what people could compare with being worse than rotting in the hellfire… Ethan's actions and his words have done a great job in breaking my body and soul from the core, perfectly.I look around, trying to find any trace of any human presence there… but there is nothing, apart from my torn dress that I had stripped off myself last night.The silence in the room seems to be taunting me, screaming the reality of how I myself have ruined my life completely… by handing over all the power to someone who knows how to destroy his opponents by shattering them into a million pieces.I get off the bed, and slowly start to gather whatever is left behind; a few tears and the garment that is clearly not able to save me from the burning disgust inside my heart.Ethan… he was really mad at
Ashley's POV:I settle into the cab, barely aware of my surroundings. "Just go straight from Melrose Avenue, then take the first right off 125 and Hayden Park.”I mumble the directions absentmindedly, not even bothering to check if the driver understands. But he doesn't acknowledge my words either, and when I finally look up, I catch him staring at the marks on my arms through the rearview mirrror. His gaze lingers for a moment too long, and I quickly avert my gaze, rubbing my palms along my arms as if I can erase the evidence of what happened… but all I can do for now is distract myself. Turning to the window, I try to focus on the changing scenery outside as the neighborhoods blur together, a mix of old and new, rundown and pristine. I lean my head against the cool glass; the cab ride will be an hour long at the very least, and maybe I'll get a chance to rest on the way?But there is no trace of sleep or rest in my eyes or my destiny, because every time I close my eyes, I feel t
Ashley's POV:The last two days have passed in the blink of an eye, and I did nothing at all in these two days since I returned from Tiffany's home.Has there been a sense of fear and anxiety lurking in my heart, that I'm going to get a call from Ethan at any moment now, summoning me to come and satisfy his needs, his desires and sell my soul in return for the huge favor he is doing to me? Yes, I have barely been able to sleep… not to mention the number of times I wake up gasping and terrified that I have missed a call from him and now, I'll have to pay dearly for it. But have I missed him…? Hell yes! The most painful experience of my entire life is that no matter what happened and what Ethan has done to me, I still can't hate him… forget that, I'm not even able to stop myself from missing him! Although, one thing was certain in my mind: I don't want that night to be repeated, not at any cost… but I also know that it isn't in my hands anymore, because I have signed away the right
Ashley's POV:For a moment, I try to struggle against his grip. I know I am not this weak that I can't fight back; I can at least struggle to free myself from his grip…Or so I thought. But judging by his bloodshot red eyes and the anger that is being reflected in them, lurking somewhere in his mind– all this is telling me otherwise. He is ready to kill me… he wants to kill me. At any cost, and by any means!Until now, I have been under the impression that everyone is putting up this fight against me, simply because I am claiming my rights on the business.But it is at this moment that I'm beginning to realize something else: it's not about the business, it was never about the business… it is just that he never liked me. They have never liked me, or accepted me, from the start. He has never considered me as a part of the family; and till this moment, everything was just a show to try and deceive me into thinking that they care for me as a family… They desperately wanted to pull t
Ashley's POV:I can't… I can't tell him who did this to me. Even though I really want to tell him, tell someone about what happened to me, but I can't. I don't want to make a fool of myself, because I know there is no one who will take me at my word and believe me without any questions. And right now, I'm afraid that if I have to answer just one more question, I'll crumble… So what's the point of telling him anyway…?I muster the courage to speak again, ignoring Ethan's hot breaths against my skin, which are doing a great job in messing with my head; and he knows it. This contract thing has gotten out of hand long ago, and I spotted the first sign of the upcoming disaster back when I first started to feel pleasure in his company.But that night, he made it very clear, about what to expect and what not… and I am not someone to make the same mistake twice.“I can't–”“What can't you do, dear? Is it hurting so much that you can't even decipher it, sweetheart…?”He gently pushes some s
Ashley's POV:“Ethan, I think there was someone there–”“There is no one you should be concerned about.”I try to inform and warn Ethan about the person who has probably seen every moment of our makeout session in complete detail, and might be just one step away from circulating the rumors that the whole city will enjoy for days with tea and tabloids.But he doesn't let me… he doesn't even let me say what I was trying to. In fact, in return for all my concerns, I received just one simple sentence from him. “Don't worry about that person, she is not for you to care about. I will be dealing with that matter myself.”I know that once he has said this, there is nothing in this world I can say or do, to change his mind. And if he is not afraid of the scandals, then I shouldn't be, either.I look up to see why we stopped abruptly, only to find that we have finally reached the room where the meeting was rescheduled for.I know it is definitely Lucas because of whom I didn't receive the new
Ashley's POV: “How can you do this? Who do you think you are, to show such blatant disrespect towards everyone here? We have been respecting you because of your name in the business world and your business ethics, it doesn't mean that you can do whatever you want!”Lucas snaps as soon as he hears Ethan's words. To be honest, I already saw it coming, but regardless of that, I am really amazed by Ethan's boldness. Not only has he ripped every paper out of the file presented as the company's report, but he has also claimed that he will change everything, from the bottom to the very top. In front of everyone, like a challenge! I can really never understand this man… no one can! Of course, this has rattled Lucas so much that he has gone on a rant, without realizing that Ethan's glare means he should shut up for his own betterment.“You don't even have the majority of the shares to make decisions. Then how can you even say something–”“Before you say anything further, Lucas, let me remi
Ashley's POV:Something has been clenching my heart since before this meeting, but this hug… this hug has healed everything that I have gone through, these last few days.All the torture that has kept me awake during the nights, all the fear that has kept me from walking on a new path during the days.He proposed that I go home with him, but at this moment I feel like I am already home.Is it right, is it wrong…? I don't know what it is, but I am feeling safe. For the first time in days, I am feeling safe… and I'm feeling safe in his arms.“Hey, what happened?”A soft voice echoes in my ears. “Huh?”I inquire, confused.He wipes my tears slowly, making me realize that I am slowly crying in his arms.He then silently places two quick kisses on both my cheeks, making me blush.“Ashley! Let's go home, the things I want to do with you, can't be done here. Let's go.”I nod.Ethan holds my hand firmly and we head towards the exit.There are a few pairs of eyes stuck on us, following our ev
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