"Let go of me, can't you see I'm married?" Ashley Carter sacrificed everything for her marriage, believing in love that never truly existed. While she mourned the loss of their unborn child, her husband, Alex Donovan, was too busy warming the beds of other women to care. Grief stricken and trapped in a life of betrayal, Ashley thought she had no way out... until Author Claude entered her world. The mysterious, powerful, and utterly relentless Mr. Claude sees Ashley’s pain and refuses to let it consume her. He awakens the fire she thought had died, offering her not just escape, but a second chance at life, love, and revenge. As Claude shatters the chains holding her back, Ashley must decide... will she cling to the ruins of her past or risk everything for a future where she's truly cherished?
View MoreAshley sat frozen on the bed long after her mother left, the weight of her words still pressing against her chest like an iron grip. "This is a marriage, Ashley. A real marriage. You have to be strong." Strong. Her lips trembled as she stared at the empty space in front of her. How was she supposed to be strong when she felt like she was drowning? Her gaze flickered to the small nursery down the hall. The door was still open. It had been ever since she ran out that night, cradling Bright’s fevered body in her arms, desperate to save him. A tear slipped down her cheek, followed by another. Her hands clenched the fabric of her dress as a sob clawed its way up her throat. She tried to swallow it down. She tried to be strong. But then, it hit her all at once. The deafening silence of the house. The crib that would never be used again. The cold spot beside her where Alex had slept soundly while their child fought for his life. Ashley let out a choked gasp as her body trem
Alex's face finally crumpled, and for the first time, Ashley saw tears welling up in his eyes. He swallowed hard, his shoulders tensing before his expression broke into something raw. “I swear, Ashley, I didn’t mean to ignore you,” his voice trembled, and his fingers clenched into fists before he dragged them down his face in frustration. “I... I was working. I didn’t know. If I had known—” His breath hitched, and a tear slipped down his cheek. “I would have been there. I should have been there.” Ashley’s chest ached at the sight. Was this real? Was he finally realizing the depth of what they had lost? He reached for her again, slower this time, like he was afraid she’d pull away. His warm hand cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing over the tear-streaked skin. “I know I failed you.” His voice cracked. “I should have picked up the phone. I should have been home. I should have—” His shoulders shook, and he shut his eyes as more tears spilled. “I should have protected our son.” Ashley
Ashley stood frozen at the entrance of their home, the weight of exhaustion pressing down on her like a crushing force. She had barely stepped inside when Alex’s sharp voice cut through the silence. "Where have you been?" His tone was laced with accusation. His arms were crossed, his stance rigid. "Sleeping outside, huh? Are you cheating on me now?" The words hit her like a slap. Ashley blinked, her vision blurring as fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. Cheating? Her lips parted, but no words came out. She had spent the night drowning in grief at Mia’s apartment, curled up in a cold, unfamiliar bed, shattered beyond repair. And the first thing her husband asked her wasn’t about their child. Not once had he mentioned their son. Her body trembled, the sheer heartbreak of it all making it hard to breathe. Alex scoffed at her silence, stepping closer. "What? Nothing to say? You disappear all night and come back looking like this?" He gestured at her... her wrinkled dress, th
Ashley sat motionless in the cold hospital chair, her hands clasped tightly together as if holding herself together. The minutes stretched endlessly, each one heavier than the last. The emergency room doors remained closed. No news. No updates. Nothing. Then hurried footsteps. Ashley lifted her head just as Mia burst into the waiting area. “Ashley!” Mia’s voice was laced with worry as she rushed over, immediately crouching in front of her. Ashley’s lip trembled. The moment she saw her best friend’s concerned face, the dam broke. Tears spilled down her cheeks. “Mia… I don’t know what to do.” Mia grabbed her hands. “I’m here, okay? What did the doctors say?” Ashley shook her head. “They... they haven’t come out yet.” Her voice was barely a whisper. Mia’s jaw clenched. “And Alex?” Ashley swallowed hard, glancing at her phone. No missed calls. No messages. “He hasn’t called back.” Mia exhaled sharply, anger flashing in her eyes. But before she could say anything, t
Ashley’s fingers trembled as she dialed her husband’s number for the third time. The baby in her arms let out another weak, pitiful cry, his tiny body burning up against her chest. “Come on, Alex, pick up…” she whispered, bouncing him slightly, hoping to soothe him. The phone rang. Once. Twice. Five times. No answer. Her heart pounded as she redialed. Nothing. Tears pricked her eyes. She pressed the phone harder against her ear, willing him to answer. The baby whined softly, his body limp in her arms, his little hands barely moving. Fear clawed at her throat. Ashley pressed the call button again, desperation making her reckless. Still nothing. She wanted to scream. To throw the phone against the wall. But she didn’t have time for that. She had to get her baby to the hospital. Her gaze darted around their tiny apartment. No car. No one to call for help. The world outside was eerily quiet, too late for pedestrians, too early for morning traffic. She swallowed h
Ashley’s fingers trembled as she dialed her husband’s number for the third time. The baby in her arms let out another weak, pitiful cry, his tiny body burning up against her chest. “Come on, Alex, pick up…” she whispered, bouncing him slightly, hoping to soothe him. The phone rang. Once. Twice. Five times. No answer. Her heart pounded as she redialed. Nothing. Tears pricked her eyes. She pressed the phone harder against her ear, willing him to answer. The baby whined softly, his body limp in her arms, his little hands barely moving. Fear clawed at her throat. Ashley pressed the call button again, desperation making her reckless. Still nothing. She wanted to scream. To throw the phone against the wall. But she didn’t have time for that. She had to get her baby to the hospital. Her gaze darted around their tiny apartment. No car. No one to call for help. The world outside was eerily quiet, too late for pedestrians, too early for morning traffic. She swallowed h...
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