chapter 4

Lucy’s POV

“Why are you blocking my path?” I snapped, my voice sharp with irritation as Ash stood in the doorway, her arms crossed like she owned the place.

Instead of answering, she smiled—a smug, condescending smirk that only fueled my anger. It wasn’t just a smile; it was a challenge, daring me to do something about her blatant disrespect.

“At least my question wasn’t funny,” I said coldly, taking a step forward. “Move out of my way.”

Her smirk widened as though she found my frustration amusing. “Why were you poking around yesterday?” she asked, her tone casual but laced with accusation.

Her words stopped me in my tracks, confusion flashing across my face. “What?”

“You heard me,” she said, leaning against the doorframe. “Why were you poking into things that don’t concern you?”

I stared at her, my brows furrowed. What was she talking about? “I don’t have a clue what you mean,” I said slowly, but my patience was wearing thin. “And I don’t care. Get out of my way.”

Ash pushed off the doorframe and took a step closer, closing the distance between us. Her smirk faded, replaced with a look of pure contempt. “You’re pathetic, Lucy,” she hissed, her voice low and venomous. “Always clinging to some dream of a happy little family when you can’t even give your husband what he wants.”

Her words hit like a slap, and I felt my chest tighten with rage. “Excuse me?” I said, my voice trembling with fury.

“You heard me,” she said, folding her arms again. “You’re not enough for him, and you never will be. That’s why he came to me.”

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I fought to keep my composure. “You think you’re so clever, don’t you?” I said through gritted teeth. “You think you can waltz in here and take what’s mine?”

Ash laughed—a cold, mocking sound that made my blood boil. “Take what’s yours?” she repeated. “Honey, he was never really yours to begin with.”

That was it. I couldn’t hold back any longer. Without thinking, I lunged at her, shoving her back against the doorframe. “You don’t get to talk to me like that!” I shouted, my voice shaking with fury.

Ash recovered quickly, shoving me back with equal force. “You’re a joke, Lucy,” she sneered, her hands gripping my shoulders as she pushed me further into the hallway. “You’re weak, and everyone knows it.”

The fight escalated in an instant. My hands found her hair, yanking as she clawed at my arms. We stumbled into the hallway, a chaotic tangle of fury and desperation.

“You think you can come into my house and disrespect me?” I yelled, trying to gain the upper hand.

“It’s not your house anymore!” Ash spat, shoving me so hard that I stumbled backward.

I regained my footing and lunged at her again, this time managing to knock her off balance. She fell against the wall, but before I could press my advantage, she swung her arm out, hitting me square in the shoulder.

The blow sent me reeling, and my heel caught on the edge of the staircase.

Time seemed to slow as I felt myself falling backward, my arms flailing in a desperate attempt to grab onto something—anything. But there was nothing.

I tumbled down the stairs, each step slamming into my back, my arms, my legs. Pain shot through me with every impact until I finally hit the floor at the bottom, a sharp, searing pain radiating from my side.

“Lucy!” Andy’s voice rang out, filled with panic.

I tried to sit up, but the pain was too much. My vision blurred as tears streamed down my face, and I felt a warm, sticky wetness on the back of my head.

Andy was suddenly there, crouching beside me, his hands hovering uncertainly as though he didn’t know where to touch without hurting me further. “Lucy, are you okay? Can you hear me?”

I blinked up at him, my vision swimming. “I—”

“Don’t talk,” he said quickly, his voice shaking. “I’m getting you to the hospital. Just hold on.”

I felt myself being lifted, cradled against his chest as he carried me out of the house. The pain was overwhelming, but through the haze, I couldn’t help but notice the fear in his eyes.

Ash appeared at the top of the stairs, her face pale but defiant. She didn’t say a word as Andy carried me out the door, but the look in her eyes spoke volumes.

By the time we reached the hospital, I was barely conscious. I heard snippets of Andy shouting for help, the hurried footsteps of nurses and doctors as they rushed to my side.

“Please, save her,” Andy’s voice pleaded, the sound distant and desperate.

The last thing I saw before everything went black was his face, filled with regret and fear.

****

When I opened my eyes, the room was dimly lit, the beeping of machines the only sound. My body ached all over, but the pain in my side was the worst. I tried to move, but a sharp jolt stopped me, and I let out a small cry.

“Lucy?” Andy’s voice was soft, hesitant.

I turned my head slowly to see him sitting beside the bed, his hands clasped tightly together. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days, his eyes bloodshot and his hair disheveled.

Before I could say anything, the door to the room opened, and I froze at the sound of Ash’s voice.

“She’s awake?” Ash asked, her tone almost bored.

Andy shot her a warning look. “Not now, Ash,” he said through gritted teeth.

But Ash ignored him, stepping further into the room. She pulled out her phone, her fingers moving quickly as she typed a message.

I watched her warily, my mind racing. Then I caught a glimpse of her screen as she turned slightly toward the door.

The message she’d just sent read.

“The plan worked. She’s out of the way. We’ll talk later.”

My blood ran cold with what my eyes caught at this point.

Ash glanced up, catching me staring, and her lips curled into a smug smile.

This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.

They both left, but soon I felt my eyes blurring slowly, but I saw someone.

Standing just at my front with something that's looked more like concerned.

" Please.... Help" I managed to say.