All color drained her face as she watched him locking the door. “Wha...What are you doing?” she stuttered while motioning towards the lock. “Can’t you see? I am locking the door so that no one will disturb us,” he answered coolly before turning around. Daniel crossed his arms over his chest as his gaze ran over her body once again.
His unexpected response had turned her white as a sheet. “What do you mean? Where is Michael?” she asked him nervously. Her eyes were darting between him and the door. He didn’t respond this time. His eyes were on her face. Daniel seemed to be lost in a trance. “Answer,” she shrieked, snapping him out of his trance. Tears pricked her eyes. Her heart missed a beat when his lips curled up in a sinister smile. Instead of answering her, he took predatory steps towards her. “You’ll find out very soon what I mean, princess,” his eyes darkened. “Don’tAshley averted her gaze to the door for a second. Before she could make a break for it, a callous hand came wrapped around her wrist.“Give it to me,” Daniel demanded while keeping her from moving.“Leave me,” she thrashed. In his forceful embrace. “Ashley, don’t be silly. Give it to me,” he made use of his alpha tone.“Leave me you bastard,” she screamed at the top of her lungs while thrashing violently. A deep cut torethrough Daniel’s forearm. He grunted but didn’t let go. After applying enough pressure on her wrist, the knife dropped down.However, the woman was far from giving up. She continued wiggling and yelling in his hold. It felt as if she was undergoing a panic attack. He tried to calm her down but Ashley seemed too lost to hear him.Frustratingly, he spun the shower on. Coldwater came pouring down on them, drenching every inch of their body. Dani
DanielHer eyes flipped at him with confusion but soon morphed into understanding. “I want the truth, Ashley,” he told her while clasping his hands together.Daniel saw her losing herself in introspection. Maybe, going over her feelings for him. Mentioning feelings and him in one sentence left a bitter taste in his mouth. The urge to rip Michael’s body limb by limb increased tenfold. His hands were itching to give him a taste of his own medicine. And he was going to do just that.After taking a few minutes, she finally shook her head in no. Without him knowing, Daniel’s lips curled up in a heartfelt smile. He felt as if a boulder had been lifted off his chest. He felt certain clouds of darkness scattering away. He felt relieved. Ashley looked scared but not unsure. Maybe this was the first time she had acknowledged her feelings.Daniel was sure though. It felt good. So fucking good. But right now was not the time to do a h
He didn’t ask Mrs. Fitzgerald for further details because he knew if he did he wouldn’t be able to control himself from killing Michael that instant. Daniel plopped on the couch while gesturing to her to do the same."Will she come out?" Daniel asked Mrs. Fitzgerald who appeared to be lost in her own thoughts. However, his voice managed to reach her ears as she replied promptly while nodding, “She will.”“Thank you for coming on such short notice. But if you want to leave you can. I’ll tell my driver to drive you back to your place,” Daniel offered politely.“Well, as much as I want to. I don’t think it would be a good idea to leave her like this,” Mrs. Fitzgerald protested.Daniel didn’t disapprove of her point. In fact, he felt relieved as he knew how much Ashley needed support at this moment. Mrs. Fitzgerald was a kind woman who had persuaded her to speak up and report her husband to the police.
The officer led him through a half-lit hallway. The sound of shoutings became louder as they neared the cell built at the other end of the hallway.“You can’t do this. Let me out this instant,” Daniel heard a very familiar voice bouncing off the walls. “I haven’t done anything” Michael’s desperate voice felt like music to Daniel’s ear. But at the same time, it stoked up his already burning rage. How much he had come to hate this voice and the owner of it.Michael’s hands were tightly clinging to the cell’s bar. It was a sight to watch.Michael’s eyes widened in surprise when he saw Daniel walking out of the shadow and to him. He pushed himself further into the door while keeping his eyes on Daniel. “Sir? Thank god Sir you are here,” Michael’s tensed form visibly relaxed at the sight of Daniel. “Please tell them to get me out of here, sir. They have brought me here under false cha
"Pregnant?" that's all he managed to utter in his state of disbelief.His palpitating heart stopped working for a moment. A sharp pain arose in the center of his chest. The news shouldn't have affected him at all but somehow it managed to rip his heart into pieces. Into tiny little pieces. He couldn't fathom how to take this piece of information. Should he smile? Should he express his genuine feelings? Or should he just let it go?"Mr. Smith?" a feminine voice broke him away from his thoughts.He peeled his gaze off Ashley and latched it back on Mrs. Fitzgerald. The woman was staring at him with a concerned expression. Maybe the condition of his heart was reflecting across his face. Maybe this time he failed to conceal his feelings. But did he care? No. It was least of his concern right now when his heart was suffering yet another blow.But why was he feeling like this? Why the news of her pregnancy managed to induce fear in him. Fear of what? Losing a part of hi
Ashley was inside the room and Daniel was standing outside sitting on one of the visitor's chairs. He was not alone. Mrs. Fitzgerald was sitting next to him. But they both were lost in their thoughts.The weight of guilt was crushing down on his soul. Every breath he pulled through his lungs felt like a task. He was ruthless, brutal, arrogant, many other things but he wasn't a murderer. And today he had become that too. Murderer of an innocent child. Killer of a pure soul.He was also aware that no matter how much he grieves or feels sorrow but that wouldn't match with Ashley's pain. He didn't even want to imagine how would she react. If she ever found out.Daniel wasn't the only person struck with guilt.Fifteen minutes passed by and the door to her room finally opened.The doctor strode past the door with a blanked expression."Doctor, is that done. How is she now?" Mrs. Fitzgerald rose from her chair and ran up to the doctor."She is alright. Re
AshleyThe last time she had stood up for her right was the day she had earned a slap from Michael for the first time. Silencing her for good. She had accepted her misery and had learned to trudge through life. She had also learned to made peace with her fate that never showed an ounce of mercy on her.And when she was least expecting, a fresh breeze of hope came swaying into her life and turned it upside down.Had someone told her a week ago that she would lodge charges against her husband, she would have brushed it off and called it impossible. But today, all her far-fetched dreams were coming true.Freedom was all she craved. Freedom from misery. Freedom from pain, and freedom from invisible shackles that were digging into her soul.Ashley hadn’t planned about what she would do after getting a divorce. Where would she go? None of these questions mattered to her anymore. All she wanted was to sever her tie with Michael. Especially no
AshleyShe took a deep breath before entering the building. The same place where Michael used to work. The memories of Michael felt like a burning arrow piercing through her heart. However, she promptly shoved her past away to the farthest and darkest corner of her mind and focused on what was before her.She was grateful to Daniel for rescuing her from her intoxicated marriage but still, she couldn’t bring herself to meet him at his place. The thought of seeing him alone at his place frightened her. The memories of him coming on her were still intact in her head. And that is why she was intent on meeting him at his office.“I want to meet Mr. Daniel Smith,” she told the receptionist who gave her a puzzled look after checking out her attire that looked far from formal. “Do you have an appointment?” she asked in her soft tone, quickly overcoming her confusion.Ashley’s eyebrow joined together. “Umm
Daniel gave her a heart-melting smile while approaching his chair that she returned with her own.He sat down and fixed his eyes on her. He liked watching her. Every movement of her. Her every expression. He was a goner and he knew that.Ashley felt uncomfortable under his scrutiny but she didn't object. Whereas a part of her wanted him to take his eyes off her the other part liked the way he was looking at her. Passionately.She sat next to him after serving him his plate. The smile was still pasted on Daniel's lips. He wasn't looking like his usual self that is stiff and untouched. He looked adorable and so cute."You can start," Ashley spoke to break his gaze on her. He blinked and lowered his gaze to his plate."It looks delicious," he beamed at her before picking up his spoon and scarfing down the food.That's it. That expression was what she was talking about. Him beaming like a child at the sight of his favorite food. That was her reward that she cherished m
Daniel flipped the sign to close as soon as the last customer walked out of the cafe. He sneaked into the kitchen where his wife and the owner o the bakery was working. There was no one on the premises except for the two. Daniel had already given earlier leave to the other staff members.His heart suffused with immense love when he saw her drowned in her work. He stalked over to her with quiet steps and wrapped his arms around her waist. He grunted and rested his chin on her shoulder while smooching the length of her neck, causing a radiating smile to chase across her lips."May I ask you what you doing, Mr. Smith?" she closed her eyes and tilted her head to allow him more access"Loving my wife. You gotta problem with that, Mrs. Smith?" he mumbled between kisses.The temperature dropped drastically in the room when his hand started stroking the sides of her body. His movement became urgent so did his kisses."Someone will see," she arched her back and close
FOURTEEN MONTHS LATERAshley's POVA lot of things have changed in the last fourteen months. I have my own bakery shop now which, by the way, is doing great. I also bought a house for my Mom.But if you ask me whether I have changed or not then I would say no. I haven't changed. He didn't want me to change but, yeah, I have surely become a better version of myself just like he wanted me to. I am still the same old Ashley but with a lot more confidence, faith in myself, and a new perspective on life. I am not afraid of my past anymore. I have learned to own my past and embrace it as an experience. An experience that taught me, toughened me up, and most importantly gave me a chance to meet him. Yup, I am all about him now.You know, Initially, I was mad at him for sending me away. But as time ticked by, I realized he was right. He was always right. I needed to spend some time with myself. I needed to discover my true self and then work on my shortcomings. I needed
Daniel cradled her face. His thumb wiping her tears away. "Baby..I want you to give yourself some time. You are..."Ashley grabbed his lapel and pulled him down. "No...I only need you. Please...Daniel..please....Don't do this to me. Don't push me away. I know you are mad at me... I....I am sorry, Daniel. Beat me if you want to..slap me..hit me (she takes his hands and starts slapping herself but Daniel retracts immediately) Ashley cupped his pain-etched face. "But please, baby, don't..don't push me away..I love you, Daniel..," she pleaded and attached her lips with his. She kissed him passionately, hoping that would change his mind. Tears streamed down her eyes.Daniel pulled away and rested his forehead against hers as his eyes too started to water down, "I love you too. So much that it hurts, Ashley" he squeezes his eyes shut but then opens them again and meets her desperate gaze."And I am not pushing you away, angel...I can never push you away...Do you understand?
Ashley glanced over to the goon with pleading eyes. She couldn't believe this was happening. The goon strapped her to the bed and stormed out of the room.Mr. Watson placed the gun on the table and went to lock the door once again."You are a brat, Ashley. You shouldn't have done that. You shouldn't have hit me. Your master," he spits menacingly while taking threatening steps towards her. Ashley cowered away in fear. Squeezing herself into the headrest. Her dress rode up her thigh, exposing her panty. But she didn't pay no mind to it.Mr. Watson tangled his fingers into her hair and pulled at them with full force. Ashley shrieked in pain but there was no one who could listen to her."Scream bitch. Scream louder. No one is going to hear you. Not tonight not ever," his palm smacked hard against her cheek, leaving the imprint of his palm.Her head spun by the impact as her face fell down to one side. He pulled her hair with more force making her head tilt up. T
"You are sick," she stated, realizing that the old man was indeed a psycho. Horror and understanding were written all over her face.Mr. Watson chuckled as if she has cracked some joke. He walked behind her and tightly clutched at the edge of her chair."Guess what. This sick man is going to decide your fate," he whispered in her ears. The back of his hand caressing her wet cheek. Her heart was thudding frighteningly against her chest.Ashley jerked away from his touch. " You can't do this to me. I am like your daughter," she bit out.Mr. Watson laughed at her words and paced across the room. His footsteps sounding off the walls. Blake was sitting like a statue in her chair. listening to everything, seeing everything but too helpless to do anything."Daughter? You are my slave, Ashley. My personal slave," the maliciousness in his voice rattled the strings of her heart. He resembled a maniac. A lunatic. How couldn't she see his true self?"But don't worr
Her eyes flickered onto the woman sitting in the wheelchair, catching a lone tear trailing down her cheek. Blake was listening to their conversation."My mother died in a car accident," she affirmed without blinking away from Blakely. Her eyes scanned her for any similarity but except their eye color, there was nothing common between them."Is that what they told you? No wonder. Well, it's a half-truth sweetheart. Your parents did meet a car accident but Blakely survived and your pathetic father died," he said casually.Anger fired up through her veins as she jolted the ropes that were restraining her."Don't you dare talk about my parents like this," she warned him in a cold tone."No?" he questioned mockingly. And then started laughing."Ohh Blake you've got a lovely daughter," Mr. Watson spoke to Blake gently caressing her cheek.Ashley had no idea how to react. But she didn't like the way he was treating Blake." Why am I here?" she gritte
She was hovering on the edge of unconsciousness when approaching firm footsteps caught her attention. Her ears perked up at the sound of the opening of the door and the footsteps became louder."Oh...There you are.......Sugar" a manly voice greeted her, causing her breath to hitch. A chill coursed through her body as the hair on her nape pricked up in response. His voice resonated: a freezing wind in a cold night. So unfriendly and so threatening. She had heard this voice. She knew it in her guts. But where? Her chain of thoughts was severed when he heard him approaching her. Step by step. Ashley whimpered in fear as a drop of warm tear trickled down her cheek.Her body grew stiff when she felt his finger pad wiping her tear.And then he tsked."Poor Ashley. Life has always played hide and seek with you. Isn't it?" he mocked her. And then she felt him going behind her back."Wanna know who I am?" he whispered in her ear from behind. Ashley breathed in his cologne and
Daniel spent the whole night at his office. Drowned in the darkness and shrouded with an eerie silence. This is strange, how one starts to see things more clearly in the dark. He saw it too. He saw how one truth turned his life upside down. He knew he was doing wrong when he signed those papers. Even though it was the right thing to do. He was hurt but not angry. The man still hadn't forgiven himself for that, then how could he expect Ashley to forgive him. But still, he couldn't help himself but feel hurt by Ashley's words. This must have been really tough for her.He knew Ashley had trust issues after what she went through with Michael. Her ex-husband, who pretended to love her until he got his fill of her body. It must have been really challenging for her to start trusting Daniel. But despite it all, she had started to trust him and the man had given her all the reasons.He didn't blame Ashley for how she reacted. It was natural for her to go frenzy after learning that