Ashley's POV:I don't know how these ten days have passed by so quickly; today is the day of the press conference, and after this, the production will officially start on my dream project. It may seem like these days have passed without a hitch, but the reality couldn't be farther than this. Because there hasn't been a single day when I haven't waited for the unknown person, who has claimed the secrets behind my parents death… but there has clearly been no sign of any communication being established.Although I remember his words very clearly, that I should not make the mistake of texting him back or trying to call him, but still, I had tried once…only to find that the number does not even exist. This can't be real…not in any universe!I mean, how is it possible that the number through which I have received all these messages, has never been issued under anyone's name! And if this is indeed possible, then how did he contact me on that day… there isn't any way where I could be hall
Ethan's POV:Ever since the moment my eyes have seen the message and my brain has deciphered its meaning, my heart has started a marathon I never even knew it was capable of running.I read it again, just to be sure. Emily: “Ethan can we meet today? Please.”And again…Emily: “Ethan can we meet today? Please.”And again, just one more time.Emily: “Ethan can we meet today? Please.”Okay, so I am not hallucinating, there really is a message on my phone, because she really has texted me. She has asked me if we can meet or not.She has requested to meet me, and not only that, she has used the word please in the end… it means she doesn't want me to cancel this plan at any cost.She knows that if she asks me for anything, I will give it to her without any delay. And when she uses the word ‘please’, she can have both my kidney and my heart, without even needing to say anything further.I text her back, I have already wasted more than enough time in realizing what is fact and what is fictio
Ethan's POV:Emily just smiles, her elbows folded on the table as she gazes at me with that familiar, disarming look. I search her eyes, trying to find the right words to bridge the gap that three years have mapped between the two of us. But before I can speak, the waiter steps up to our table, his presence bursting my bubble.“Good afternoon,” he begins, a polished tone in his voice. “Today’s specials include a roasted lamb with rosemary, a mushroom risotto, and brisquette with a lemon butter sauce—”I clear my throat, interrupting his spiel and wanting to get rid of him as soon as possible. “I’ll have an espresso, and for ma'am, get a mint iced tea and salmon fillet with its usual accompaniments. Oh, and also bring a side of sautéed bell peppers…”The waiter nods, jotting down our order, when a memory hits me unexpectedly: Ashley’s face, pale and panicked, the way she was gasping for breath… after stuffing those damn bell peppers into her face.My heart thuds harder against my ch
Ashley’s POV:“Peter? You…? Where is Ethan, we were supposed to leave for the press conference–”“That is exactly why I am here, Ashley. He suddenly had some extremely important work, and asked me to find a driver for you.”Peter interrupts the flow of my question with his words, but he doesn't make eye contact with me. His face is looking somewhat flustered, like he is trying to maintain his voice and keep something that might be troubling him to himself.Since I have started living with Ethan, Peter has also become like family, but this old fellow has a habit of staying quiet until it is extremely important to speak up…! Nevertheless, I know he cares for me just like he does for Ethan.“But… but he said that we would be going together.”The words leave my mouth in a whisper; low enough to not let me realize that I am saying something out loud, but loud enough for Peter to notice what is going on inside my brain.“Ashley.”He says, and I respond absent- mindedly,“Yes, Peter?”“Ethan
Ashley's POV:As I step into the conference hall, the atmosphere inside is filled with anticipation and energy buzzing in the air. Everything is already set by the time I arrive— there are polished wooden panels on the walls, rows upon rows of chairs are perfectly placed in perfect alignment, all facing the podium at the front.Set against the pristine white wall is a singular podium with a chair; there is just one name displayed on the chair, in front of the microphones. Ashley Waverly.I know that it's my name, that I am the face of the project, but it still feels so… unreal. I take a deep breath, steadying myself. This is it. The board of directors will all be seated in the front row, their eyes on me expecting me to deliver; now, it is on me to prove their judgement of me wrong. I peer out nervously from the side stage, my heart rate picking up as I scan the room. The rows are nearly full— journalists, industry insiders, and even some familiar faces are here. I wasn’t prepare
Ashley's POV:“Tell me? I am still waiting for your response to say something further.”Ethan roars again, walking through the aisle, towards me. As if his presence alone isn't imposing enough, he comes to a stop near the row where the man is seated and looks directly into his eyes, making the person feel much more uncomfortable.I can practically see the hackles rise along his spine as he gulps down his own saliva down his throat forcefully. Beads of cold sweat have started to appear on his forehead.“I-um… um… actually, I was… I was–”“Say it! What were you trying to say? Aren't you a reporter, whose task is to ask questions and give answers, too?”Ethan attacks him again; he is like a vicious lion who just won't let his prey escape, and the reporter gives him a pleading look, silently requesting to be spared, like a scared little goat.And while everyone else seems to be enjoying this drama, because apart from my interview about the project, they are going to have something much ju
Ashley's POV:With the first call for security, I can practically see the soul leaving the man’s body. His face pales even further, surprising me with the fact that it was even possible, and all his bold and his brave attitude that he had walked in with, crumbles within seconds. He is a dead man walking, and his soul would have started on its final journey to purgatory, if not for Ethan, who is clutching onto that escaping soul with both hands. Ethan refuses to let him go, he won't let the man go and face the universe's punishment until Ethan Johnson has settled his own accounts first.I know how he is; ruthless, unwavering, and terrifying when he is angry. The man’s life may not be over, but his fate is sealed.But my mind is lost somewhere, still stuck on what he had said earlier. Liam. That snake.Liam sent him to undermine me, to degrade me in front of the whole media circus, to humiliate me. The man who claims to think of me as his own little sister, has behaved in a way whic
Ethan's POV:Emily's words are harsh, crude and blunt, as if she is trying to prove that she isn't lying… but I know she is. I have noticed the glaze of tiny droplets that have accumulated in her eyes, and it is enough to tell me the story otherwise.But what is she trying to hide? Why does she have to hide anything in the first place, when she knows that I am well familiar with the love she holds for me?Is Jordan forcing her in some way…?There are many questions running through my mind, when she invites me to her wedding!Shit! How can I miss it! She is doing this intentionally, just like I have made her jealous by being with another girl, she is now taking this game to one step ahead.But this game isn't funny anymore, because it has started hurting me… and badly at that. The anger pumping through my heart starts to poison every single drop of my blood. And I start my car, deciding to visit the press conference, even though I know that I am not in a sane enough mind to go there
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