The stretcher beds wheeled endlessly in the hospital corridors as the patients were wheeled in. Jordan held his heart in his stomach as he watched his family head to the emergency rooms. His hands were tied as he felt helpless; he couldn't do anything else to help them. And the waiting started, pacing through the hospital corridor outside the emergency room was not easy for Jordan. The anticipation of the unknown killing him from the inside. “Calm down man, they are going to be alright,” Luke tried to comfort him, his own fear reflecting on his face. He hadn't known Lindsey for years but the time they spent together, he knew she was the one. Seeing her helpless and unconscious made him feel his heart tighten painfully. Maya and Danton managed to run according to the police, but one of their men was in custody. Luke didn't want to complicate things at this point it was discovered Maya and Danton were part of a larger notorious Mafia gang that terrorized some cities. “I'll go check
A month went by quickly, but Ashley had not woken up yet. Jordan stood by the bedside with his four kids looking at her. He had not missed a chance to see her beautiful face every day, praying that she would wake up.“Daddy, when is Mommy going to wake up?” Brandon asked worriedly as he went near his mom. “Soon baby, soon,” Jordan muttered more to himself but loud enough that the kids and probably Ashley heard. “We miss you so much mommy, daddy has been taking care of us, and we have a new brother,” Brenda said, standing next to Brandon. “Yes Mommy, Shane's so cool, he's our brother, I wanted another sister, but it's also cool to have another brother,” Bryson chirped while dragging Shane's hand to the bedside. Jordan watched as the kids told their mother of their experiences and feelings. His eyes welling up with unshed tears as he looked at Ashley in concern. He had watched her lie there for thirty days and counting, each day breaking his heart. If only she could hear her child
Ashley watched the man playing with the children outside her house from a distance. It had been a week since she left the hospital, but still couldn't get the anger she felt at him. A big part of her wanted to run to him and kiss him breathless, making her blush for even thinking that. But the thought that he abandoned her to be with another woman, stopped her. Ashley couldn’t get the horrid feeling that a big chunk of her life memories were missing from her mind. She could only wonder if she ever forgave him, given that the children already knew him. “What are you thinking about, sweetheart?” Lindsey’s voice came from behind her, lighting up her heart. “Was he always this good with the kids?” Ashley asked, making Lindsey follow her line of sight. Lindsey smiled as she heard the four children chanting ‘daddy, daddy' all over the house happily. “I guess so…” Lindsey mumbled as she touched her invisible baby bump unconsciously. “You're going to make a great mom, Lin, and Luke wi
Ashley moaned softly as she turned by the naked man beside her on the bed. How peacefully he was sleeping made Ashley wonder how they got to that point. How she went from hating him to sleeping next to him every night. The birds chirped joyfully, announcing the dawn of a new day. Everyone around her had been so supportive, telling her anything she didn't remember. But deep inside, Ashley still felt she was missing something. “Hello sunshine,” Jordan's voice hit her ears, making her smile as she locked eyes with him. “Heey, you,” Ashley greeted back, smiling sweetly. Having to look at him each morning filled her heart with so much joy. “Today's the day, are you sure you can do it?” Jordan asked, brushing his fingers through her hair. Ashley smiled, leaning her face on his hand, “yes, I can do it, I can't miss his last therapy session.” Jordan kissed her lips softly, “good, now kiss me properly, love.” Jordan teased, making Ashley giggle in joy. The sound of a soft knock pulled
Jordan breathed in sharply as he tried to calm himself as he yet again got another negative call. It's been two days since Lindsey came back with the news. Outside the hospital corridors Jordan paced running his hand through his hair. He didn't think he was ready to make any other step forward. Seeing his little boy helpless on the hospital bed rendered his muscles weak. He pushed the door gently open, breathing out slowly as he saw his son sleeping peacefully. The doctors kept him under medication due to the seizure. Jordan couldn't hold back the lone tear that fell as he held his son's hand. He didn't know what to start with as Ashley was still missing. As Jordan sat by the bed, the door to the room gently revealed Luke, his best friend. “Hey man,” he greeted entering the room as he stood behind Jordan. “He's still the same, I don't understand why he's still unconscious,” Jordan said, his eyes fixed on his son. “He's going to be okay, Jordan, don't worry yourself too much,”
Distant faint chatter hit her ears as she heard her name being mentioned. Her body moved like waves as she closed her eyes tightly waiting for the effect from the impact which never came. The room was filled with horror as they watched Ashley passing out in shock. Jordan rushed to catch her in time before she could fall to the ground. “Ashley? Ash? Can you hear me?” Jordan asked, holding her cheeks in worry. “Let's get her to the hospital,” Jordan added, looking at the frozen Lindsey before them. Lindsey’s sight focused on Luke who ran his hand through his hair in frustration. “I'm sorry man, I didn't mean it to come out that way,” Luke apologized, pacing in the doorway. Jordan hoisted Ashley in his arms quickly heading towards the parking lot. None of them appeared to be in a state to help him as they were all shocked. As hours passed, the doctor came out his face neutral, not letting out any emotion. “Mr. Millers, I have good and bad news, which would you like to hear first?
Ashley fluttered her eyes, slowly opening them as she fought hard to adjust to the light in the room. The last she could remember was passing out with a striking pain in her belly. The door cracked open, revealing a man in a white coat. “Mrs. Millers? You're awake, I'm Dr. Stevens,” the man said, examining her eyes. “Doctor, what's happened to me?” Ashley mumbled, her voice coming out enstrangled. “Well, you were overwhelmed by stress and passed out,” Dr. Stevens explained cautiously. “I… I am going to be okay?” Ashley asked, her voice filled with worry. “Yes, yes, of course, but you need to be more careful now that you…” “Yes I know my unpredictable change in mood,” Ashley said dismissively as she closed her eyes lightly. “No, I was going to say… Congratulations, you're pregnant,” the doctor explained, smiling at her. Ashley's eyes shot open at the news, her heart beating fast in shock. She tried to open her mouth to say something, but it went all dry. How could
“I'm sorry pumpkin, it's my fault, I should have found you sooner,” Mr. Hamilton said as he sat on the couch next to Ashley. Ashley sniffed as she wiped another streak of tears from her eyes. “Why didn't you? It was so hard!” Ashley said as she recalled her past life. Mr. Hamilton lowered his head, shaking it as if he were contemplating on what to say next. “You know, if Mr. Millers hadn't found me, I would still be out there with no meaning,” Ashley muttered as she let her mind wander into the past. “You know, your mother and I, we didn't work out too well and by the time I knew about you, it was years back, I don't mean to excuse myself but…” Mr. Hamilton said soothing Ashley back hoping she would understand. “My mother? She's still out there?” Ashley asked, her voice breaking as if she were ready to burst out in tears again. “Yeah she is, although I haven't heard or seen her in years, she's still out there,” Mr. Hamilton explained, his voice low as if he were talking to himse
At the dinner table, Ashley and Jordan kept stealing glances at each other. The sexual tension between them, undeniable. “Mommy, you promised we would have a movie night before we left,” Brandon said, looking at his mom with pouty lips. “Yeah mom, you promised,” Shane chipped in clasping his hands together. Ashley bit her lips, considering the big plans they had for tonight. “Sweetheart I don't think tonight's a good time for that, how about we do it after we get back to the city?” Ashley suggested hoping the kids would accept. “No, you promised, and you always tell us it's bad to break promises,” Brenda protested, making Lindsey nudge Ashley's arm playfully. Looking over to Jordan, Ashley was stunned to see him pretending to mind his own business as he chewed on his steak. Receiving no reinforcement on the table, Ashley chuckled, “okay, you can have the movie night, a promise is a promise.” She pointed out, biting her lip as she swore to make Jordan suffer for leaving her in t
One week down the line, Ashley couldn't help but smile as she saw Lin walking towards her. “I can't believe we are actually leaving in two days,” Ashley said, as she admired the environment. “You know the countryside isn't as bad as I thought,” Ashley added, making Lindsey smile as looked out in the fields too. Both of them being near to death shook them pretty well. “Yeah we should probably hold off on coming here next time,” Lindsey contradicted her statement making Ashley laugh. “I thought your dream future was here? What happened?” Ashley teased knowing how Lindsey was for the idea to visit the place. “Stop it, maybe in a few more years I would consider coming back here,” Lindsey said looking out into the plain fields. “Lin?” Ashley called looking at her in a serious and concerned face. “Yes, Ash?” Lindsey replied, looking at her with her eyebrows furrowed. “I never say this enough, but you are not just my best friend, you are my sister and I love you so much,” Ashley said,
Ashley held in her breath as she crawled back on the dusty concrete under the parked truck. She held her mouth in shock as she saw Andrew look under one of the two trucks. Just two trucks to hers, Ashley crawled back slowly and carefully praying she wouldn't get caught. As she heard his sinister laughter die down, she froze on the spot. “Bring me that torch! She's somewhere here,” Andrew announced, standing up to get the light. Ashley quickly took the opportunity to slowly slip into the nearby bush and hit the scattered forest. Under the dim moonlight it was easy to make out shadows and that made her fear for her life. “Boss, she's not here,” one of the men said, looking at his Boss in fear. “This way, she just went this way into the forest!” Another man announced, making all the men rush towards the forest. Ashley ran until her lungs burned out, making her stop to breathe, feeling like she would pass out. Jordan and Hamilton listened carefully to the sounds through the phone.
“Love? Is that really you?” Jordan asked, his face litting up in both disbelief and joy. Jordan put the phone on a loudspeaker for Hamilton to listen in. “Sweetie is that you?” Hamilton asked his watering up in excitement. “Yes, I ran away from Andrew, I'm currently at a police station…” Ashley explained everything over the phone. “Forget about tomorrow I'll be there in a few hours,” Jordan interjected. He couldn't let her stay at that place. “Yes honey, we are on our way, stay safe,” Hamilton confirmed as they both set out towards the car. Luke overheard the commotion and decided to check what was going on. Only to find his dad and Jordan on their way towards the main door. “Dad? Jordan? Where are you heading to?” he asked, looking from the first floor. “Ooh, son you won't believe this, Ashley has just called, she's safe,” Hamilton said, his tone full of pride and happiness. “What? Are you sure it's her? Jordan?” Luke asked, looking between the two in confirmation. “We are
“Daddy? When will mom come home?” Brandon asked, his eyes full of sadness. “I don't know sweet pea, but we hope soon,” Jordan replied, kissing his son on the forehead as he tucked him in. “Is she going to die too and come back later?” Brenda chirped her expression marching all the four children. Jordan couldn't forget their happy yet shocked faces when they first came to visit him at the hospital. No amount of money could replace the joy in their eyes that dark…~~~~Flashback~~~~“Hey man, you're going to be discharged tomorrow, congrats on your full recovery,” Luke said, smiling at him. “Thanks man, and I'm sorry about what happened,” Jordan said, apologizing as he noticed the dark marks sleep bags below his eyes. “It's going to be fine, but it still hurts so much you know that animal will pay for what he did to my Lin,” Luke lamented, his face covered with the look of both vengeance and sorrow. Jordan patted him on the back soothingly as he felt his pain. A soft knock at the d
Ashley fluttered her eyes open, her body feeling strangely rigid. The past events slowly crowded her brain, making her body stay on alert. This time her surroundings were quiet with no bullets flying around. A sudden thought came to her mind, making her sit up quickly. ‘Lin? How was Lin?’ She thought as she carefully set her feet on the ground to survey the unfamiliar room. “Hello?” She called, noticing no cameras in the plain-looking room. ‘Where was she?’ She couldn't help but wonder. She pushed the door open slightly, her feet wobbly, probably from not walking for quite a while. Likewise, she also heard voices along the hall which had locked rooms along it. ‘What was this place?’ She thought as she pushed a door which surprisingly opened. Ashley looked inside only to see a neatly made bed with a monitor machine? This place looked nothing like a hospital, it was too quiet. “Excuse me, Miss, may I help you?” A lady dressed in a nurse's uniform asked her, making Ashley sigh in r
As her body bumped up and down in the large arms of the strange man, Ashley couldn't hold back her screams. No matter how loud she screamed the noisy bar was much louder and anyone would have mistaken that as fun. “Please let me go,” Ashley pleaded, her teary face unhidden. As she felt her feet hit the ground, she closed her eyes, noticing the restrooms. Nobody would hear her there, compared to the gigantic man she was nothing. “Miss Ashley, open your eyes,” the man said, husky but gentle. Ashley didn't know if she had hit her head to the extent she was imagining her own things on the verge of death. But as large arms shook her shoulders violently she confirmed she was nowhere near to hallucinating. Opening her eyes slowly in shock, Ashley looked at the man before her. ‘Was he trying to get her comfortable before killing her?’ thoughts filled her head as she looked at him suspiciously. “Miss Ashley, I am with the FBI, and we've come to rescue you and the girls,” the man announ
“No!” Ashley suddenly exclaimed as she felt Andrew's breath on her neck. “Hey, hey, calm down, I was only teasing you, come I'll take you to the main place,” Andrew said, chuckling at her terrified face. Ashley silently thanked her stars for the save, but she also knew the night was young so much could happen. She needed to be on her guard all night. Taken by her thoughts she didn't notice Andrew taking her to a more settled room, calm music, men, and women that looked wealthy. Ashley couldn't help but spot some popular old billionaires and businessmen. “What is this place?” Ashley couldn't hold back the question that had been circulating her head ever since she entered the building. “This is where we make the most money,” Andrew said smiling as he started to greet some men in gestures. Ashley looked at him confused at his statement. “There are rules here, whatever you see don't ask any questions, stay composed,” Andrew earned sternly switching to his cold ruthless side. Ashley
Ashley stood there in awe looking at the magnificent outfit that lay before her. She had been moved here for an hour now her room had a surveillance camera. Whatever was going on tonight had to be big for her to be dressed like a queen. She was used to exquisite dresses, and she knew an expensive one when she saw it. Slowly slipping into the bathroom she couldn't help but sigh in relief when she noticed no camera. At least they decided to give her some privacy or so she thought. Minutes later she stood by the look looking alluring like she owned the night. For some reason, she wanted to make him remember this night. A soft knock at the door made her furrow her eyebrows confused. “Come in,” she hummed, fixing a loose hair strand that fell on her cheek. Ashley heard the door click open but didn't bother checking who it was until she felt hands slim waist. “You look sexy,” Andrew complimented as he smiled through the mirror. “Thank you,” Ashley replied, forcing her lips to curve