“I told you clearly that we’re going to the club tonight. Why did you dress like it’s a picnic at home?” Arthur asked, his gaze fixed on her through the side mirror. “This is what I had... is it that bad?” she replied defensively, and Arthur rolled his eyes in response. “Haven’t you been to the club, Ashleigh?” he questioned. She shook her head cluelessly. “Are you surprised, Arthur? Ashleigh uses the bus to get around, so don’t expect much from her,” Damien interjected, his eyes fixed on the road as he drove. Arthur turned to look at Ashleigh and shook his head in disappointment. “Enough said... drive on, Damien,” he said, holding his hand up in silent disapproval as he flopped back dramatically into his seat. Soon enough, they arrived at a private department store. Arthur showed his membership card, and they entered the store. He went straight to business, while Ashleigh followed behind him with the store attendants, and Damien sat on a couch to wait. Arthur selected a few opti
Ashleigh’s heart pounded as she sprinted through the dimly lit underground parking lot, her breath coming in sharp gasps. She’d seen Megan and those two guys earlier; they had been leaving the building just before her. Now, the parking lot was deserted. Ashleigh glanced around anxiously, trying to piece together the sequence of events. As she exited the lot and headed toward the street, her mind raced with fear.“Why can’t I find them?” she muttered to herself, her voice trembling. “It was only a minute between when they left and when I followed.” She scanned the alleyways adjacent to the building, each darkened passage holding only eerie silence.As she reached the third alley, a chilling sound pierced the quiet—cries of distress. Ashleigh’s pulse quickened. She peered into the dimly lit alley and her stomach dropped. There was Megan, pinned against the wall by the two men from earlier. One man held Megan’s arms forcefully against the wall, while the other was lifting her gown. The s
“This is not Megan, sir. This is Ashleigh Hartman. Megan’s currently in the hospital.” The gentle yet firm voice cut through the room, casting a palpable heaviness in the air. Mr. Turner swallowed hard, his gaze flicking nervously from the terrified assistant to his boss, who glared darkly at the phone. The tension in the room seemed to intensify with each passing second. Earlier... After their heated argument, Adrian had retreated to Italy, seeking solace in his mother’s company and the familiar rhythm of business at Cagliari Industries. The trip was intended to be a period of both personal and professional reflection. It offered him a chance to delve into Ashleigh’s background, to sift through her family’s history and their business dealings. Adrian reminded himself that his primary goal for marrying Ashleigh was to further his own ambitions. Her feelings, whatever they might be, were merely a means to an end. He resolutely chose not to address her probing questions about his emo
As the sun began its ascent, its warm rays crept through the ward room's window, casting a soft glow over the space. Ashleigh, nestled on the couch, stirred awake. The couch had been uncomfortable the night before, but fatigue had dulled her discomfort, making it tolerable. Megan, however, was just beginning to rouse from a fitful sleep. Confusion clouded her mind at first. She glanced around the unfamiliar hospital room, her heart racing with a blend of fear and disorientation. It took a moment for reality to sink in, and when it did, she was overwhelmed by the memories of the previous night. Her skin crawled as she recalled the disturbing incidents where the men from the party had invaded her personal space. Silent tears streamed down her face as she lay there, trying to process her trauma.The muffled sound of Megan's distress woke Ashleigh. She bolted upright, concern etched on her face as she rushed to Megan's bedside. "What happened, Megan? Are you in pain? Should I call the do
“Now that I see you, it makes sense why he’s like that,” Alexander remarked, studying her with a reserved gaze.“What makes sense? Did you meet Adrian?” Ashleigh asked, stepping closer at the mention of Adrian.Alexander observed the eagerness in her eyes and internally rolled his eyes. The couple seemed to share many similarities.“I thought you said I was wrong earlier?” he mused, but Ashleigh ignored his teasing.“Did he tell you about our relationship?” she pressed, her eyes gleaming with hope.“He mentioned there was a relationship but didn’t specify the nature of it. I figured it out on my own,” he said, recalling his conversation with Adrian the previous night.“Oh...” Ashleigh murmured, averting her gaze as she tried to hide her disappointment.“By the way, I appreciate your help with my fiancée. Your timely intervention ensured her safety,” he said, and Ashleigh offered a weak smile in response.“It’s nothing. Your girlfriend, however, doesn’t share the same sentiment,” she s
Ashleigh spent the rest of the weekend deep in thought. By Monday, she was still torn between reaching out to Alexander for help with Adrian or deciding if contacting Adrian was even worth the trouble. For now, her midterms were her primary concern, so she got ready to meet Damien, Arthur and Oliver. Just as she was about to leave, her phone rang. Seeing Fiona’s name flash on the screen, she winced, remembering she hadn’t spoken to Fiona or James since the office party.“Hi, Fiona! How are you?” she answered, trying to sound cheerful, but a loud male voice boomed in the background, nearly deafening her.“I told you she was alive, Fiona! She just didn’t want to call us. And her phone’s working fine, too,” James voice boomed in the background, his footsteps growing louder as he neared the phone.“James, don’t talk like that! I’ve just been busy settling into college,” Ashleigh replied, her voice tinged with guilt for neglecting her friends.At first she had been preoccupied with her arg
After Arthur and Oliver left, Damien led the way deeper into the library, searching for a quieter spot. Ashleigh followed closely behind. They finally settled at a secluded table, and both of them pulled out their study materials along with the timetable for the midterm exams. “So, let’s start with these two courses today,” Damien suggested, opening his notes and skimming through the pages. “I assume you’ve been reviewing the topics from these classes daily?” “Yeah, I have,” Ashleigh replied, nodding. “Good. We’ll just go over them and tackle related questions. That should prepare us well for tomorrow. Ready?” Damien looked at her briefly, and Ashleigh nodded in agreement. They spent the next few hours engrossed in their studies, with Ashleigh asking questions whenever she encountered something confusing. Damien was focused entirely on the study session, answering her questions patiently. However, he strictly confined their conversation to the subjects at hand, never veering of
After the call from Alexander, Adrian spent several minutes brooding over the matter, his anger simmering beneath the surface. He was pulled back to reality by Caelia’s voice, her curiosity piqued by his intense reaction.“What was the call about?” she asked, her honey voice breaking through his thoughts as her eyes fixed on him with anticipation.Adrian cleared his throat, masking his emotions with a neutral expression. “Alexander was just updating me about someone from my company,” he replied, returning to his meal with deliberate calm.Caelia wasn’t convinced. She had noticed his reaction when the woman was mentioned and couldn’t shake her suspicions. Adrian was notoriously private, even with his family, who had been frustratingly tight-lipped whenever she inquired about him. Her thoughts whirled as she watched him, wondering who this woman was and what she meant to him. A flicker of jealousy sparked within her as she contemplated the possibility of a romantic connection.“So, is A
Ashleigh felt the world around her blur into silence. The café, once a warm haven of familiar scents and quiet chatter, now felt suffocating. Across the table, three sets of eyes burned into her—Fiona’s sharp, unwavering stare, James’s disapproving frown, and Arthur’s cool, assessing gaze. The weight of their scrutiny made her throat tighten, but the real pressure came from the phone resting on her lap, as heavy as a brick. Adrian’s name glowed on the screen, his text burning into her mind.Why aren’t you responding? I hope you haven’t lied to me again.Her fingers curled tightly around her phone, flipping it facedown before anyone noticed. But Arthur did.“Who was that?” His voice was neutral, but there was something unreadable in his expression, something sharp.“No one important,” she answered too quickly. His eyes narrowed.“Still lying, Ashleigh?” He let out a quiet sigh, shaking his head as he leaned back. “You’re insufferable.”Ashleigh swallowed, her grip tightening on her pur
The room was drenched in darkness, save for the flicker of a single bare bulb overhead. The silence was broken by the shuffling of chains and the faint drip of water pooling somewhere unseen. Tristan and Jake knelt behind the iron bars, their once-proud postures now bent with shame and fear. Adrian sat in the corner, cloaked in shadow. His piercing gaze cut through the dim light, fixed on the two men who had failed him. His fingers drummed against the armrest of his chair, the rhythmic tapping the only sound besides their labored breaths.“Boss, please,” Tristan started, his voice hoarse. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, evidence of the earlier punishment. “We didn’t expect the attack to happen then. We—”“You didn’t expect,” Adrian interrupted softly, his voice calm but laced with menace. “That’s the problem, isn’t it?” Jake flinched, his trembling hands gripping the bars.“We’re sorry, sir. We’ll make it right. Just give us another chance.” Adrian rose slowly, his impo
Ashleigh arrived at the dinner table, a rare giddy smile lighting up her face. For the first time in weeks, she felt like her life was falling back into place. Her conversation with Arthur had gone smoothly—he was relieved to hear she was safe and suggested they meet to discuss things in depth. She had agreed without hesitation. Yet, as she settled into her chair, her thoughts wandered to Adrian. Now came the hard part: convincing Adrian.Her heart sank slightly at the thought. She hadn’t seen him anywhere in the house since the call, which probably meant he was out for business. Good—she needed time to plan her approach.“Mrs. Ashleigh, you seem to be in a good mood,” Susan observed, interrupting her thoughts. Her assistant stood beside Chef Larry, helping him place steaming dishes on the table.“Yes" Ashleigh declared with a grin, sliding into her chair. “I am in a good mood”“I am beginning to feel like myself once again” she added, and Susan a
“Funny how you were so quick to leave last night, but you’re here now" Adrian mused casually, leaning against the closet, as Ashleigh placed the rest of her things in his closet.She paused mid-fold, her hands freezing momentarily before returning like nothing happened. She expected his words, yet it still managed to tug at her heart.“Just shut it, Adrian.” Ashleigh snapped instead, her voice sharp and defensive as she shot him a scowl over her shoulder.Adrian chuckled lowly, amused by her reaction. Although the situation was not ideal, he couldn’t hide his appreciation for the perpetrator, as it now brought Ashleigh to his side. And now, she will not be able to leave even if she wanted to. Once Ashleigh was done, she closed it and walked toward the center of the wide room, taking in it’s aesthetic. Unlike her room which was filled with lighter colors, and personal touches, Adrian used deep tones and neutral colored paintings and furniture. The room was also less decorated than Ashl
The air in the room was less frigid now, but Ashleigh could not help but still feel hot inside. Her heart was literally racing as she saw that the distance between her and Adrian was almost nonexistent, and not only were they physically close but now they were emotionally close as well. Adrian who was oblivious to her thoughts was deep in conversation with someone on the phone about her college case, and he only looked at her from time to time.A knock at the door disrupted her spiraling thoughts. Mr. Atkinson entered, carrying a tray of food, followed by Susan, who carried water and a small dish containing her medication. Susan's eyes lit up when she saw Ashleigh sitting up, her usual warmth battling a nervous tension. Ashleigh instantly knew Adrian had been intimidating her again.“Mrs. Cagliari,” Susan greeted softly, her voice tinged with hesitance.“Susan,” Ashleigh said, reaching out to gently grab her hand. “Are you okay?”Susan hesitated, casting a wary glance at Adrian, who c
Ashleigh felt the air leave her lungs as Adrian's words echoed in the quiet room. She knew, deep down, that he’d been avoiding her after the karaoke celebration at her college. Yet, hearing him admit it so bluntly left her reeling. She stared at him, her heart pounding as though it might give out, the silence stretching far beyond what her fragile emotions could handle. “Huh?” she finally managed, her voice barely above a whisper. Her mind scrambled to make sense of his confession, and Adrian, standing composed before her, nodded solemnly. “Ashleigh,” he began, his voice steady but tinged with regret. “I knew everything. Mr. Atkinson informed me the moment you left for Robin College. I knew about your day-to-day activities—when you got injured saving Megan, when you started receiving those threats. I knew it all.” Her breath caught as his words sunk in, each revelation like a weight pressing harder on her chest. “I didn’t reach out,” Adrian continued. “I thought I’d done enou
Adrian placed Ashleigh gently on the couch in his study, her expression troubled even in unconsciousness. He lingered for a moment, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face, before turning to step outside. As he stepped out of his study, the heavy door clicked shut behind him. His gaze immediately fell on the cluster of staff lingering in the hallway, their curious whispers abruptly silenced when his cold eyes met theirs. Susan was crying hysterically, her face buried in Chef Larry’s chest, while Mrs. Smith stood nearby, frowning with disapproval.Adrian’s expression darkened, his jaw tightening as the scene grated on his nerves. “And why are you all still standing here?” his voice cut through the air, sharp as a whip. “Do you not want your jobs anymore?” The reprimand snapped them back to reality. The staff scattered, scurrying back to their assigned duties, their heads bowed. Only Susan lingered, still sobbing as Chef Larry tried to console her. Adrian strode toward them,
“Ashleigh, in all this, why didn’t you call your husband?”The question hit her harder than she expected. She’d imagined countless times how she’d answer if he asked—how she’d finally let her anger spill over, shouting about the missed karaoke night she planned, the insults instead of an apology, the countless ways Adrian had hurt her. But hearing it from Mrs. Smith left her frozen.The words she longed to scream shriveled in her throat, leaving only a bitter weight in her stomach. But as Mrs. Smith waited for her answer, Ashleigh found herself not saying anything, it was like the words dried up in her throat, and left a bitter feeling in her belly instead.“I’m still waiting for you, dear,” Mrs. Smith’s voice was calm but firm, pulling Ashleigh from her swirling thoughts.“I didn’t feel like I needed to depend on him,” Ashleigh finally said, her voice steady but strained. “I thought I could handle it myself.”“My dear, Adrian is always there to help you. He cares for you very much, y
The view from Ashleigh’s window should have been calming, even breathtaking. The sprawling gardens of the Cagliari mansion were meticulously maintained, with vibrant blossoms swaying in the gentle afternoon breeze and perfectly trimmed hedges lining the walkways like green soldiers at attention. Beyond them, the ornate fountains shimmered in the sunlight, their cascading water catching the golden light. It was a postcard-perfect scene.Yet, to Ashleigh, it was all a cruel reminder of her confinement. The beauty outside was unreachable, as always at the Cagliari mansion. She sat curled on the window sill, her knees drawn to her chest, her arms wrapped tightly around them as if to keep herself from unraveling. The afternoon sun warmed her skin, but it did nothing to thaw the cold ache that had settled deep in her chest. Her eyes flicked to her phone lying on the small table beside her. The messages on her department’s group chat haunted her. Each text, each comment had felt like a blow