52. He’s not Afraid Anymore

Josh felt that he was very powerful right now, as he had a lot of control over both Ashley and Sharon.

"Calm down. Sharon must be having fun right now. She's my business anyway, you don't need to think about us. Also, as I said earlier, you don't need to bother or think about finding a deal for that matter. And yes, I'm sure you wouldn't badmouth me to your mother."

Josh finished his speech with great satisfaction. From now on, to him, Ashley's threats were just empty bluster with no power. Because in the end, the girl would be able to do nothing but stay in this marriage with him. Even if Ashley was desperate to destroy Josh's reputation to his family, in the end, the one who would get into trouble would be herself, not Josh. From the articles he read in the document hidden by Ashley yesterday, it was enough to show that the rumors circulating about the relationship between Ashley and her parents were not good, it was almost one hundred percent true.

It made Josh guess what steps Ashley's parents might take if the girl ruined the big plans her parents had made to bond with Josh's family.

The expression that spontaneously appeared on Ashley's face was even less okay this time. She didn't realize that a very deep frown had now adorned her forehead so clearly. Depicting that the girl was thinking very hard.

Instead of saying another urgent sentence, she was silent and busy digesting Josh's words that sounded very confident. How could he just believe that she wouldn't badmouth him to her mother? Shouldn't he be skeptical and worried, because this meeting could be an opportunity for Ashley to tell her mother about his scandal—even though Ashley herself obviously wouldn't do it. Or, perhaps, the man was too afraid, so that's why he wanted to stay home and make sure Ashley kept her mouth shut?

“Is it possible... you didn't go because you wanted to make sure that I wouldn't talk about your relationship with your girlfriend to my mom?” Ashley asked in a careful tone, not with an arrogant intonation like she had done before.

Josh laughed in a low tone, "No. I told you, I knew you wouldn't. Either with me here, or not. So, stop whatever plan you have to get me out of here. I'm still going to see your mom because I want to."

Ashley was getting confused. How could Josh change by having such confidence, while yesterday the man was still filled with anxiety. The most plausible possibility Ashley could think of was that Josh was just pretending that he was no longer worried.

What tickled her logic the most was Josh's girlfriend's attitude. I don't know what Josh had said to his girlfriend that made her agree to Josh's delay. Right now, Ashley really wanted the girl to bring out her wild, explosive nature like that moment, so that Josh could leave the house right away.

However, a sudden thought flashed through his head. With Josh around, maybe her mother wouldn't be able to intimidate her as much as she used to.

Because there were certain moments where Ashley felt the most uncomfortable and tormented, namely when she had to be in a situation just alone with her mother. No one would believe how she had treated her all these years. No physical violence had ever happened to her, but it was her sanity that had been played with. There was a time when Ashley questioned whether the relationship between a mother and daughter was really that complicated.

With Josh between the two of them, it doesn't seem like a bad thing. Josh might even be able to help her through the situation that will happen later more easily.

Finally, with much deliberation, Ashley decided to stop urging Josh to leave immediately.

"By the way, how did you know that I was planning to go see Sharon? Are you guessing?" Josh asked.

My ears are still healthy and can hear well, it's only my hands and feet that are hurting, Josh,“ she sighed, ”You said that when you called your girlfriend earlier," Ashley finally answered lightly, without any urge to provoke an argument. Apparently, she was quite used to this kind of conversation.

“Ah, that's why you suddenly said that to your mom? That I was going away—for business?”

Ashley let out another short sigh, “That's all I could think of because it was so sudden.”

“Thank you,” Josh said sincerely.

Ashley looked at Josh who was looking at her. Then looked away because she felt awkward.

"Thank you for helping me. But today you don't have to lie to your mom. I won't leave as long as your mom is here."

At the moment Ashley wasn't sure if her decision to let Josh stay at home when her mom wanted to have a private chat with her, was the right or wrong thing to do. Either it would save her from whatever her mom had planned, or it would get her in trouble next time. She really didn't know.

But at least, it made her cut down on her list of lies to tell. For the time being, the lump in her heart wouldn't be as heavy as she thought.

Josh was seen moving towards the bedside table near Ashley to put down the empty glass he had been holding. He then reached for the plastic bag containing the girl’s medicines that he had deliberately placed on the nightstand so that Ashley wouldn't have to look for them like she did in the morning.

“You need to treat your wounds first,” Josh said as he took out a responsibility—sized bottle as a wound cleanser and a small bottle containing red liquid to be applied to the wounded skin.

Afterward, he went over to Ashley and prepared both medicines. He took the gauze soaked in the clear liquid and rubbed Ashley's wounds very gently.

“Does it hurt?” Josh asked while glancing at Ashley who was silent.

"Not really. I can bear it," Ashley replied lightly. It was painful when the surface of the wet gauze touched the wound, but she still had to clean it to prevent infection. Besides, the effect of the medicine she took earlier was now getting stronger in her body. So she was not in as much pain as she was a moment ago.

“I'll continue then,” Josh finished the rest of the wound that he needed to clean. His hand movements were smooth and more careful than before. Once all the wounds were exposed to the cleanser, he moved on to the thick red liquid in the smaller bottle. He took the applicator, dipped an appropriate amount into the bottle, and tapped it to Ashley's wound.

This time, Ashley's reaction was different. She seemed to flinch as the liquid hit her wound. Josh, who saw Ashley wincing in pain, stopped instantly.