Ashley saw the evening of another day without her child, making her heart clench painfully. As the doorbell rang, she couldn't help but feel as if that were music in her ears. The many times she had run to that door thinking maybe her son was home disheartened her. She couldn't face any more disappointment of not seeing her son walk through that door. She could feel her hope hanging on a string as she wiped another set of tears. Lindsey had taken the kids away, she could only hope they didn't ask endless questions about their sibling. The door opened, ushering in a panting Jordan. Ashley stood up looking at him in awe, “What happened? Did they find him?” Ashley asked, offering him a seat but all he could do was shake his head. What he said next made her feel her head swirl in dizziness. “I think they might have Shane too, he was just taken from the house, minutes ago…” Jordan said still in disbelief, hearing himself say the words out loud took a toll on him. “What? How?” Ashley
As the car drove around the city, Ashley felt her mind go miles away. She tried to gather enough strength to face all that was ahead of her. She knew no amount of the fear she felt could outdo the anticipation to see her son again. “We're here, ma'am,” the taxi driver said, pulling Ashley out from her wondrous thoughts. She saw the tall building of the hotel making her breath in sharply before proceeding. The chilly air of the night seeped through her lungs like a sharp knife, taunting her. A text came to her phone from the same new number. ‘Come straight across the street and meet me beside the hotel, I can see you come straight.’ The instructions read, making Ashley glance beside the hotel, her eyes falling on a dark spot. No matter how much her mind warned her against proceeding with the pursuit, Ashley didn't have the heart to stop. As her steps got closer, everything in her was screaming for her to stop, but she couldn't. She looked around but all she could see were some hom
In the alley beside Wilson Hotel;Ashley felt herself being dragged in the dark alley making her struggle to scream. The hand let loose a little, “Ssh, it's me, don't shout,” Ashley heard a woman's voice in the alley making calm down a little. “I know you don't know me, but you know him, right?” The woman asked, revealing a boy behind her. Ashley felt shocked as she saw Shane sleeping out in the cold but was well covered. “I am…” “Elizabeth, the boy's biological mother,” Ashley interjected, letting her know he knew about her. “Yes, Shane's in trouble, Maya knows I took the boy, we were supposed to meet at a certain location to stay there, but knowing Maya, I don't want Shane near him,” Elizabeth explained as she kept glancing around in panic. Ashley stood there dismayed not knowing what to say. “Please take him with you, he told me so much about you, he trusts you, please,” Elizabeth pleaded with her, holding her hand gently. “Where is my son?” Ashley asked, looking at her in
“He's still the same Maya, he doesn't have long,” Danton announced feeling restless. Maya ran her hands through her hair, “we have to move, we've stayed here too long, and that b**ch, I'll kill her!” Maya yelled out loud, pacing around hysterically. “What about Bryson? He needs…” Danton insisted, but was interjected by Maya as she shouted at him. “Shut the f**k up! I need to think!” Maya bellowed, making the room fall silent. Everything she was doing was going sideways all of a sudden. Before anyone could say anything, sirens were heard surrounding the house making Maya’s eyes grow wide as her feet stuck the ground. “What the hell! How did they find this place?” Danton asked in panic as he walked to the window by the main door. Looking out, there were nothing but blue and red police lights. This was it, their end, “you sold us out!” Danton accused Maya angrily as he walked towards her without fear. It didn't matter if she was the boss's daughter anymore. “What are you talking
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
Pulling into the Matthews residence, Lindsey held a serious frown covering her face. That girl was never going to see the end of her if she didn't produce Ashley's whereabouts. She looked around carefully, noticing evening was approaching. She had to be first so she would go back to check on the kids. Lindsey caught Christine's figure at the corner of her eye sneaking out of the compound. As Mrs. Matthews approached her, Lindsey smiled at her but couldn't wait. She rudely got into her car and drove off, leaving the woman shocked at her behavior. She waved at her through the window, her car driving out of the compound. Lindsey caught the taxi that Christine entered, making her grin evilly. “You can run b**ch, but you can never hide from me… I got you,” Lindsey muttered to herself, feeling proud she caught the sneaky lady. Half an hour on the road, Lindsey didn't anticipate she would still be following her on. Checking her GPS they were driving more away from Sierra. “Where the
“How's he doing?” Lindsey asked as she stood next to her husband. Luke just looked at Jordan back to the machines after his surgery. He hadn't woken up yet and the doctors elaborated on complications that occurred which may delay his consciousness. “He is doing fine according to the doctors,” Luke answered, fighting the painful lump that stuck to his throat. Hamilton stood by the doorway looking at the man who his daughter adored more than anything. Watching him unconscious for almost thirty hours made him think of Ashley, who was still missing. “Lin, how are the kids holding up?” Luke asked, his tired features showing evidently how he hadn't rested since everything started. “They are okay, but they are starting to ask questions, sooner or later, we need to tell them,” she said, patting her husband's back gently. Looking at him get so lost in this case made her feel bad. “Look babe, I think you should take a day and rest or…” Just then his phone vibrated showing a text message w
Andrew threw the mug he held in his hand across the room. “That son of a b**ch! What did you just say? He survived?” Andrew asked again, looking at one of his men in fury. “Yes sir, although there were complications he'll undergo an operation,” the man reported, his head lowered in both fear and respect. “Here are my direct orders, Mark! Make sure he doesn't make it out of that hospital alive!” Andrew said, clenching his fists in anger. “Yes sir!” The man replied headrail out of the room but stopped midway to the door as Andrew continued. “And take one of the best men with you, there is no room for failure understood?” Andrew bellowed, making the man nod vigorously. All his men feared him for being merciless. No one offended him and continued breathing for another day. Andrew logged into Ashley's security footage the site he saw disturbed him. He quickly made his way out of his office trying to keep as calm as possible. Ashley, on the other hand, sat on the concrete cold floor
Lindsey ran into the hospital in panic, having heard of the updates. Luke hadn't called yet, making her even more worried. “Nurse, nurse, was there a man and woman admitted here?” Lindsey asked in panic, hoping she would get to see Ashley quickly. “Miss, we have received quite a number of patients today, so would you at least give me a name?” The nurse inquired looking at her in concern. “Um it's Jor… Michael and Ashley, they were found in the old mines?” Lindsey said, looking at her as she looked through the computer. “Ooh, the patients from the mines, yeah, well, Michael was admitted, but the woman was already passed on when they found her,” the nurse explained, making Lindsey stagger in shock. “No…no…” she rumbled in disbelief as she tried to get a hold of something, anything to support her. “Ma'am, are you okay?” The nurse asked, riding from her seat in concern. Just then Luke walked in stopping for a moment as he spotted Lindsey. “Oh my, Lin!” He called out to her, as he
“There's something here!” One of the men called out making Luke still as he heard his statement. As they all gathered on the wide pathway leading down to the mines, two bodies lay there. Luke squeezed himself among the crowd, his insides shaking. “Oh my God, Jordan?” Luke called, as he noticed Jordan's still form laying there lifeless. Next to him was a lady who was turning her back to them. Luke felt tense as he thought of Ashley, the woman looked like Ashley from her body. “Ashley?” Luke called out pulling the woman so that she looked up making the men gasp as a whole pale face came into view. Luke shrugged his shoulders sighing in relief at seeing the dead woman's face.“She's dead! As for Michael, well, his heart is barely beating,” one man announced as he checked their pulses. Feeling as if laying on the smoothest wool Ashley stirred slowly, a smile falling on her lips. She opened her eyes slowly, monitoring the magnificent place. Her mind suddenly registered what had happe
Devastation fell in the mansion as the fact of Ashley's sudden disappearance couldn’t be hidden. No one was yet to digest the fact that Ashley disappeared just like that.“What? What do you mean you can't find her?” Hamilton ended another call with one of the search parties. “These useless bunch of idiots!” He cursed banging the table in his home office. His daughter had gone missing for a whole day now, no trace of her. A soft knock at the door made him hum in response as he took a seat slowly. Luke walked with his eyes swollen from deprived sleep. “Son, do you have any news? Have they found my little girl?” Mr. Hamilton asked the hope in his eyes fading away as he looked defeated. “We haven't found anything yet, but tomorrow we will be progressing to the abandoned mines to search for…” Luke explained making Hamilton's head shoot up in shock. “Oh my God, you think she was dumped there? How could anyone be that merciless!” Mr. Hamilton said, holding his head between his hands. “
“Chris? Christie?” Michael called as he walked through the plain fields. Christine had sent her a message indicating she was in danger and that he should go alone. Despite Christine's reaction earlier in the day, she was like his little sister. “Damn you Chris, where are you?” Michael mumbled to himself, once again scouting the area. A worried expression on his face, mostly for Ashley who had not woken up yet. “Aaah! Please let me go!” A scream came from a few meters from them, making Michael stride out. He stood in shock, seeing Andrew practically on top of the naked Christine. She threw her hands desperately crying out as Andrew held her tightly. “Hey! Man! Let her go!” Michael said pulling off Andrew, which turned out to be easier than he had anticipated. Michael pulled the man off the girl, making them roll away from Chris. Suddenly, Michael felt himself being flipped under, making Andrew on the top side. “You son of a bitch! Chris, I've got him,” Andrew cursed, delivering
Ashley turned slowly in anticipation to see him. As their eyes locked, Ashley looked at him unblinking in shock as he smiled at her. “Miss Ashley, this is Micha…” “Jordan?” Ashley muttered, her voice barely audible as she looked at him, stunned. “That's impossible…please tell me I'm dreaming…” Ashley mumbled, not knowing what to do. Everyone in the room looked at Ashley as if she were going nuts as she froze on the spot. Michael looked at the woman before him, the mere sight of her making his mind swirlThe name ‘Jordan’ felt so familiar to his mind. As if, having flashes of memory where he could have sworn he had known her from somewhere. Looking at her so lost as she stared blankly at her, Michael couldn't help but feel confused. Why would his mind even have any clue that he had maybe known her. Or perhaps she was just flustered after last night, but Michael thought it was a bit too much for her to look so horrified. “Miss Ashley? Are you alright?” Christine chimed in, their
Michael stirred in bed, stretching his arm to touch the spot next to him only to find it cold and empty. He glanced at the wall clocked only to see through the dim light the clock hit four o'clock in the morning. His mind quickly registered last night's events as his mask stuck on his face, an indication he didn't take it off. His body, feeling awfully relaxed and alive than ever before. He smiled as he remembered his angel from the night. On the floor, he noticed something glittering under the dim light in the room. Michael reached for it only to find a bracelet with a name engraved on it. “Ashley,” he muttered to himself, the name rolling off his tongue like sweet music. She didn't exactly seem like the type to sneak out on him, but she definitely did. He always got up early, his body got used to it. Slowly slipping on a trouser, he pulled off the mask before he opened the back door to take a peek outside. Funny enough, there was no sight off, the thought of her sneaking out un