Ashley's POV: Although I have started to notice Ethan getting increasingly protective towards me, I have been trying to ignore it till now… knowing very well that it might just be a thought that exists only within the bubble of my imagination, which can burst at any moment! But today, I can't deny it anymore.We have finally reached the location that one of his men had mentioned, saying it was the last place where Mr. Hopkins was seen.The place is indeed shady and dark, damp and dense at the same time. There is a disgusting stench in these packed alleyways, and yet, nobody can exactly pinpoint where the smell is coming from.It's like the entire place is covered by this rotting smell, to the point where they can't be separated from each other; almost suffocating any outsider who dared to step in.Broken windows, with their jagged edges glinting like teeth, stared down at us from the worn down buildings around us, or whatever remained of them… making anyone question why someone in t
Ashley's POV:The entire journey back to the house is spent in dense silence.Neither am I in the mood to say something, nor has Ethan tried to initiate a conversation.But the moment we step inside the house, he picks me up in his arms again. I look at him questioningly, but he simply lowers his head, his lips brushing against my cheek as he whispers in my ear.“Babe, we are going to be busy for two whole days, starting tomorrow. So let's make up for those two days, and let's try something new.”I want to protest, saying that I am not in the mood or that I'm still too sad to think straight right now… but I remember that I don't have any real say in this situation.I am the one who has given all rights to him, with the contract.So now, I can't do anything apart from waiting for him to make me see heaven or hell, as per his wish.Still immersed in my thoughts, I feel his warm lips grazing my neck, softly at first, and then they proceed to mark their territory roughly.I inhale sharply
Ethan's POV:I know she has been disturbed ever since she saw her father's writing inside the diary, which I am completely sure belonged to Hopkins.How couldn't I? Especially when I could also see the tears in her eyes as soon as she opened it, and the way her fingers trembled as she held the pages…But I know it wasn't the time to prove anything, and if I should be doing anything, then it should be me making her forget the world for the time being.And I did…Once she has drifted off to sleep, her breathing steady and peaceful beside me, I finally lift my phone from the dresser and unlock it, only to find it filled with messages.There are hundreds of messages from the office, and there, I find the one message I have been waiting for."We have succeeded in locating what you have been searching for, do we need to bring him to you now?""No. Just wait for further orders." I quickly type a reply, my fingers moving swiftly over the keys even as my eyes have lifted from the phone screen
Ashley's POV: “Ashley! Let's go, honey. We must leave.” Ethan's words reach me like they have broken through some invisible shield, and I turn towards him. “You are crying? What happened? Hey! Tell me!” He freaks out, asking for the reason behind my tears… when it is the first time that I myself have realized that I am crying. “Sweetheart! Are you afraid that we won't make it back in time, or we won't be able to sign the deal? If that's the case, we can easily board the plane tonight–” I rush towards him and hug him without saying anything in reply, making him drop his words in the middle and pull me more tightly in his safe embrace. I feel his heart beating steadily against my frantic one, and it helps calm me down. “Okay! I am not going to ask you anything, let's first get out of here, and then we will depart today itself. I also have a surprise waiting for you back in New York.” He has already picked me up in his arms by the time he ends his statement, and starts to walk t
Ethan's POV:I finally breathed freely, relieved to see it with my own eyes that Ashley's father was not as dumb as I imagined him.Maybe, I had judged him way too hard before this, for leaving his pampered princess of a daughter alone in the world, without any plans regarding her protection, even after raising her exactly like a fairytale princess in a completely protected and sheltered environment. At least, this deal is secured now, and I am not going to lose it… otherwise, I was afraid of getting the first blot on my name and reputation, for losing a bet that had almost been won already.But now, there is only thing that I am missing. I won't be able to see Emily tomorrow, as I am going to be stuck with Ashley here.Not that I am complaining, because the girl is really good in bed and her face indeed keeps me entertained. Apart from that, I don't really care much about her or her character, they are of no use to me. But seeing Emily is the salvation I get in my life.I sigh inwar
Ethan's POV:The feeling of extreme happiness peaks through my heart and shines through my eyes as I notice Emily entering the church.She had discovered this place during our college days; ever since then, she used to come to this church in search of some peace, which she finds while sitting here.I know that even now, she always visits on Sundays.And as per her usual habit, she is here!Her eyes light up for a moment as she notices me standing in front of the crucifix, and she starts to walk towards me.But the moment she happens to notice Ashley's back, she pauses, realizing that I am not alone.I notice the change in her emotions and feel the pain in her eyes, as she turns her back towards me and rushes outside.I want to run behind her, to tell her the truth… to explain everything to her; and most importantly, to tell her that I have always belonged to her with my heart and soul. But at the same time, I also want her to feel the pain that I have felt all these months without he
Ethan's POV:I have finally already gathered all the information that I should have gathered earlier, but because of my stupidity, I failed to do so.Emily and Jordan collectively hold 2% shares in the Waverly Group, and they have decided to transfer it to Liam. It all makes sense now, that's why I saw Emily there that day. Now, my first aim is to get those shares transferred to Ashley's name, but I’m well aware of the fact that Jordan won’t sell them to me, even if I offer him three times their value… just my name attached to the offer is enough to make him reject it.And he will most definitely turn it down, much like the time he didn't care about hurting me and stomped on our friendship when he blackmailed my Emily to leave me! When he can do that, being blinded by his hatred of me, then he can surely hold on to the shares just to see me lose.And my former friend’s petty and spiteful nature is exactly what I had in mind, before planning my perfect masterstroke.I have stayed out
Ashley's POV:I stand in my room, staring at the clothes hanging in the large white wardrobe which contains all the fancy dresses and clothes that I don't wear in my daily life. I’ve got to pick something for tonight, and fingers hurriedly push a series of hangers to one side, these dresses are out of the running. Nothing seems quite right, it's either too casual, too formal, too revealing, too ballroom-ey… until I stop at one I almost forgot I had. It’s an old dress, pastel green, bought for a party thrown by Aunt Claire that we never ended up going to. I almost snort at the memory of how disappointed I felt back then, but now I’m just glad that I found it.I pull it out and survey it up close. The corset is strapless, with a draping detail and a sweetheart neckline that looks sophisticated. The skirt is smooth silk over a layer of tulle, giving it a gentle flow that’s neither body-fitted nor overly fluffy. It has a matching chiffon scarf, which gives the perfect finishing touch.