Ashley wasn’t completely sure how she had gotten here. She had decided to start out on grading her student’s papers early enough that it wouldn’t be a hassle at a later date.As she focused on organizing the papers, an unexpected presence had enveloped her from behind. Before she could react, a pair of strong arms encircled her, and a cloth was pressed against her nose and mouth. Panic surged through her as a strange, sweet scent filled the air, but before she could comprehend what was happening, darkness descended.The world blurred into a disorienting haze, and her surroundings faded into an ominous void. Unseen hands guided her unconscious form, leaving behind the unfinished task of grading and the quiet solitude of her office.Minutes ticked by in the eerie silence, the only evidence of disturbance being the abandoned papers and the stillness of the office. Outside, the routine cadence of university life continued, oblivious to the mysterious interruption in Ashley's world.Much l
In the dimly lit confines of Leon's secluded office hideaway, Ashley's senses were on high alert. The room felt like a cage, its walls seemingly closing in on her. Leon, her captor, rambled on about subjects that were inconsequential to her heightened state of anxiety. His voice, a relentless drone, filled the room with a suffocating tension.He was truly crazy.As Leon prattled on, Ashley's mind became a whirlwind of thoughts, desperately searching for any avenue of escape. Her eyes darted around the room, examining every detail. The windows, once overlooked, seemed to hold a glimmer of hope. They were high and seemingly unyielding, but the mere sight of them ignited a spark of determination within Ashley.The room itself was a tapestry of shadows, the dim lighting casting an eerie glow on the impersonal decor. Leon's monologue, a seemingly endless stream of words, resonated in the background. He seemed oblivious to Ashley's internal turmoil, engrossed in the sound of his own voice.
Chapter 55Ian's eyes traced Ashley's face over and over, as if trying to memorize the features, even though it was permanently inscribed in every cell of his nerves.She had been out cold for two hours already and he was steadily losing his mind. He was certain Yu Zhen was too, as he was trying to field off a hysterical Rita as one of Chloe's colleagues stayed to monitor Ashley's condition all through.The doctor and nurses didn't need to stay, but Ian would be damned if she didn't have constant medical surveillance.He had tried using the power of his mind to will her over to consciousness several times, but it seemed that when it mattered most his hopes failed him."Sir, would you like to sleep somewhere?", A nurse asked him carefully. Yes, he would like to sleep with Ashley, but of course, she was unconscious."No.""Would you like something else si-""No."He added a glare for good measure. She was distracting him from monitoring his wife's condition."O-okay sir", she shivered a
"Oh my goodness! Ashley are you o- LEAVE ME ALONE YU ZHEN, Ashley are you okay?!", Rita bounded over to Ian the moment he got out of the door."Am I actually married to this asshole?", Ashley asked seriously, not removing her head."I take offense at that", Ian grumbled.“Yes you are, how are you feeling?”, Rita asked frantically.“I’m great, there’s nothing wrong with me!”, Ashley glared at everyone at the same time.Yu Zhen threw a look to Ian in confusion.“Short term memory loss”, Ian said simply, still holding the strangely calm woman. Ian walked down to the elevator and pressed the buttons after Yu Zhen, Chloe and Rita came along.“Prove you’re my husband”, she looked at him calculatively.“How?”“My husband would know!”, she exclaimed triumphantly. She didn’t actually expect him to know. She was convinced she was actually married to him because those photos were absolutely not photoshopped, she took one, she could remember taking one of them, but why would she get married to Ia
Yu Zhen rushed over to Ian’s wing, Chloe and Rita hot on his tail. The servants had frantically rushed over to him yelling something about their boss losing consciousness. Yu Zhen had had enough of today, every single thing that could have gone wrong went wrong and he was sick of it. He rounded over to Ian just in time to see him being crushed in a hug by Ashley, thankfully, he was breathing and his eyes were open, so he wasn’t dead. Although, if Ashley kept on hugging him that tightly, Yu Zhen wasn’t sure Ian would see the next minute.He moved to remove Ian from Ashley’s hold when he was evilly glared at by the both of them. Ugh! Couples!“Let him breathe Ashley”, Chloe knelt to Ian’s eye level.“I can breathe”, Ian said, like a loyal soldier. The thing that tickled Yu Zhen was the fact that he in fact sounded winded.“Just a little Ashley”, Rita coaxed her.Ashley wanted him to breathe, she really did, but her brain was on a one way road and her blood had started flowing backward.
‘Spoilt brat’, Ashley thought and buttoned her top fully again. She was a little glad that she didn’t have to sleep with him. It was jarring to be carried by her worst enemy – fine, exaggeration – and even more jarring to be married to said enemy.“We don’t get intimate”, Ian said calmly. The day had been one of the most horrible days for him and he was ready for it to end. Ashley being stubborn was counterproductive to the quick end of the day.“I can see why”, Ashley taunted and leveled him with a ridiculing gaze that seemed to be aimed pointedly at his lower half. Ian did not respond to taunts. Ian was dignified. Ian would lay on the bed and wait for her peacefully.“What’s that supposed to mean?”, he asked, standing at his full height, towering over her easily. The height difference was so large that no one could even see that Ashley was in the room if they were looking from behind Ian.Ashley, never one to back away from challenges, stood to her full height too. Unfortunately it
Ian ran his hands through his wet hair. Ashley with memory loss was a dangerous experience for him. He knew she had entered, and left immediately. But he couldn’t afford to make her uncomfortable, so he’d pretend like nothing happened.She had actually never seen him naked. He had to take another shower, but it helped to calm him down a little so it wasn’t a completely horrible thing.He took off a towel from the towel rack and wrapped it around his waist, opting to put the other one on his head. This was his go-to method of drying, and his wife seemed to like it whenever she saw him. He walked out of the bathroom, throwing a casual glance at his wife only to nearly break down into laughter. Several years of being two faced helped him to press his lips together tightly so as not to let any sound escape. She was the color of ripened tomatoes as she desperately tried to read the magazine that was very obviously upside down.Ian smirked instead and walked past her into the walk-in clos
Ashley came out of the bathroom, peeking first to see if Ian was in the room and sped into the closet he had walked into previously, she would at least find something she could wear there. Cementing the fact that she was apparently married to the man was the amount of female clothes in her size in the closet. She gaped and rotated as she looked up and rows of clothes met her line of sight everywhere she turned. She had never seen so many clothes at once. The big sized shirts dwarfed the female ones and she furrowed her brows at the fact that she and Ian shared the closet.Ian didn’t seem like someone anyone voluntarily shared anything with, she wondered what possessed her. She wondered even more what possessed him. Ian Hills and Ashley Toma, the weirdest pairing alive. She wondered how he even wooed her to acceptance with his soily attitude. She picked out what looked most comfortable and sat on the bed, successfully subsiding her unbidden thoughts of her best friend’s brother – her
The morning sun painted a golden hue over the Hills estate as the mansion's staff prepared for another day in the bustling household. In the heart of the mansion, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the sizzle of bacon wafted through the air, signaling the start of a new day.In their private quarters, Laurent and Miniscera, the energetic twins of the De Luca family, were already stirring with the anticipation of breakfast. The rhythmic beats of lively tunes filled the room as they gleefully danced to their individual songs, each lost in their own world of melody.Laurent, with a contagious enthusiasm, moved to the beat of an upbeat pop song that echoed through his headphones. His small feet shuffled across the carpet in a display of youthful exuberance. Miniscera, on the other hand, twirled gracefully to a more melodic tune, her headphones delivering the sweet strains of a classical composition.As the twins descended the grand staircase, their impromptu dance continued. The staff
In the quiet cocoon of the Hills mansion, where grandeur met intimacy, a private library stood as a haven for the family. The scent of aged leather and the hushed rustle of pages greeted anyone who entered, creating an atmosphere of serenity and wisdom.One lazy afternoon, as sunlight filtered through the tall windows, Ashley descended the spiral staircase, her steps muffled by the plush carpeting. A gentle hum of lullabies reached her ears, drawing her towards the library.Upon entering, she was met with a scene that painted a portrait of domestic bliss. Ian, surrounded by towering bookshelves, sat in a hammock that gently swayed between two ornate columns. Cradled against his chest were the twins, their tiny forms cocooned in a shared blanket.Ian, engrossed in a storybook, read aloud in a soft, rhythmic cadence that matched the gentle rocking of the hammock. The twins, their eyes wide with innocent curiosity, listened intently, occasionally reaching out to touch the pages as if try
On an ordinary day that decided it was anything but, Ashley felt the first inklings of labor. Panicking, she called out to Ian, who was busy juggling paperwork in another room."Ian! It's go time!"Ian, startled, sent papers flying in all directions. "What? Now?! They're supposed to come next week!"Ashley, with a mix of urgency and humor, nodded. "Yes, now! The babies are on their way, and they clearly have no regard for our schedule!"Ian, caught in the whirlwind, fumbled to gather the hospital bags. Yu Zhen, who miraculously appeared as if summoned by impending chaos, rushed in."What's happening?""Babies decided to make an early debut," Ashley said with a grin.Yu Zhen, trying to suppress joyous laughter, patted Ian on the back. "Congratulations, Papa Ian. Let's get you all to the hospital."Ian, now in a state of controlled chaos, ushered Ashley to the car with a mix of urgency and care. "Watch your step, Ashley! We've got precious cargo onboard, and it's not just me driving.""
On the day of the vow renewal, the air buzzed with anticipation as Ian and Ashley prepared to reaffirm their commitment to each other. The venue, adorned with elegant flowers and soft lighting, provided the perfect backdrop for the occasion. This event had garnered significant attention, not only because of Ian's stature as a billionaire but also because it marked the first time the public would see Ian's wife without her enigmatic mask.As the ceremony began, close witnesses gathered—Yu Zhen, Rita, Mark, Christopher, Chloe, Hillary, Ashley's mom, Ian's grandfather, and others who had played integral roles in their journey.Ian, dressed in a tailored suit, stood at the altar with a mixture of nerves and genuine emotion. Ashley, radiant in an elegant gown, approached him with a smile that conveyed both joy and a hint of the unexpected journey they had shared.The officiant, capturing the essence of their story, began with a reflection on the unconventional path that led them to this mo
Ian and Ashley, having left the memories of their contract marriage behind, embarked on a new adventure to Las Vegas for pure enjoyment. This time, the atmosphere was light and carefree as they strolled down the vibrant streets. Ian, ever the gentleman, happily carried Ashley's bags filled with newfound treasures from the shops.As they explored the dazzling city, Ashley's eyes widened with awe at the glittering lights and lively energy that surrounded them. The iconic landmarks and famous attractions seemed to come alive with a renewed sense of joy. Ian, noticing Ashley's excitement, couldn't help but smile as he shared in her delight.They visited famous casinos, catching glimpses of extravagant shows and indulging in the lively spirit of the city. The air was filled with laughter, music, and the occasional cheers from those striking it lucky at the slot machines. Ian and Ashley, hand in hand, embraced the thrill of the moment.One of their evenings in Las Vegas, the neon lights of
A week later,In the opulent embrace of his living room, Ian reclined on a plush sofa, his head finding a comfortable haven in Ashley's lap. The soft glow of ambient lighting cast a warm ambiance, and the room itself seemed to exhale luxury. Ashley's gentle fingers traced soothing patterns through Ian's hair, creating an intimate cocoon within the grandeur of their surroundings.Seated nearby, Yu Zhen held a tablet in his hands. His eyes, framed by an air of quiet determination and pure gloating, scanned the digital pages of a news article. The hushed murmurs of his voice began to narrate the unfolding drama—the arrest of Reid Hills, the shameless father that tried to be Ian's new rival, a pretend tycoon whose empire had crumbled under the weight of illegal activities.As Yu Zhen delved into the details, the living room became a theater of intrigue. Ian, nestled in the comforting warmth of Ashley's lap, listened attentively. It was his plot after all, even though he was more attentive
Ian sat at the head of the large round table, cross legged as he looked at the figures on the projector.The employees were the calmest they had ever been, no matter how harsh Ian was outside the room, he was kinder with nice figures.The first time Ian had commandeered a meeting was a time to remember.In a spacious boardroom adorned with polished mahogany furniture and muted hues, a group of employees gathered, their collective unease tangible in the air. At the heart of their apprehension was Ian, a figure revered and feared for his unforgiving scrutiny during meetings.As the employees settled into their seats, the low hum of anxious whispers reverberated around the room. The subdued lighting seemed to intensify the gravity of the impending assessment. Each individual nervously shuffled papers, stole glances at one another, and exchanged fleeting expressions of concern.Ian, a seasoned executive with a penchant for precision, entered the room with an air of authority that seemed t
Ashley reclined on the bed, her legs gently throbbing. She was covered only by a white blanket, Ian had most likely covered her up so she wouldn’t get cold after. Ian had stood up before her and she had no idea where he was, so she decided to check out the bunker. The room, much like Ian’s general tastes, was monochrome and it spoke volumes through its grayscale symphony. Every detail seemed meticulously curated to embody a sense of sleek simplicity.The bedframe boasted clean lines and stark contrasts. Its black frame stood out against crisp white sheets, inviting a sense of tranquility. As Ashley traced her fingers along the smooth surface, she marveled at the precision that went into crafting this seemingly unassuming piece of furniture.The walls were an expanse of unyielding concrete. Splashes of black and white danced in harmony, offering a visual feast that resonated with Ian's avant-garde taste.It felt to her like Ian had dedicated all his energy in making sure the room was a
As Ian stepped into the lit up gallery, he realized that his irritation was unfounded and unnecessary. It wasn’t his gallery anymore at this point, he should rename it to the hall of worshiping his wife.He kept Ashley’s eyes closed and backtracked to the stairs. He had thought the photos on his phone were too much. This was something that archaeologists would discover in five hundred years and declare Ashley as a former queen. She would never let him live this down.He turned around, remembering that the library was still dark and he went to the other part filled with paintings of violence and bloodshed. Great!He looked as though he could only paint three types of things. One, his grandfather’s kind of paintings, two, violence and bloodshed – things he wanted to do to some people that irritated him severely – and three, Ashley.The fact that Ashley was the most popular in terms of amount and quality was something he needed to think about later.“I’m tired of closing my eyes”, Ashley