Ashley’s POVI thought for a moment, searching through the archives of my mind. Then it hit me—the summer Ash and I turned nine. “I remember this one summer when Ashton decided that we were going to put on a circus in my backyard. We spent days planning it out.”“A circus?” he asked, glancing over his shoulder with a teasing grin. “What kind of acts did you have?”I laughed, a sense of nostalgia washing over me. “Well, I was the ‘lion tamer’—though really, I just wore a scarf and pretended to crack an invisible whip at my dog, who was more interested in chasing butterflies.”Andreas chuckled, shaking his head. “That’s amazing. And what about Ash?”“She was the ‘strong woman.’ She made this huge cardboard dumbbell and pretended to lift it over her head while I announced her feats of strength.” I could see it so clearly in my mind, the laughter, the sun shining down on us as we put on our ridiculous show for the neighborhood kids.“That sounds like a blast,” Andreas said, his eyes spark
Ashley’s POVThe air was thick with tension as Andreas led me down the dimly lit hallway toward his bedroom. Each step felt weighted, as if the gravity of the moment was pulling us both closer to something inevitable. I could feel the heat radiating off him, the anticipation crackling between us. My heart raced, not just from the thrill of being here with him but also from the uncertainty of what this night might bring.When we reached the door, he hesitated, glancing back at me. His eyes searched mine, filled with a mixture of desire and vulnerability. I could see the question lingering there: Do you really want this? Do you want me? The look in his eyes sent a rush of warmth through me, and I couldn’t help but melt at how nervous he looked. I found myself nodding, unable to break the spell he’d cast over me.He exhaled softly, almost in relief, and opened the door. As we stepped inside, I tried to lighten the mood, my nerves bubbling to the surface. “You know,” I said with a playful
Ashley’s POVDarkness enveloped me, and I felt an overwhelming sense of dread as I struggled to open my eyes. But when I did, I found myself tied to a chair, the coarse ropes biting into my wrists and ankles. The air was thick and stale, the only sound the eerie echo of my shallow breaths. Panic clawed at my throat as I took in my surroundings—dimly lit, with walls made of rough wooden planks, the kind you might find in a barn. No windows, no way out. Just me, the chair, and the growing anxiety coiling in my stomach.I tried to remember how I ended up here, but my mind was a haze, clouded by fear and confusion. Why was I here? What was happening? My heart raced as the oppressive silence seemed to close in on me. Just when the weight of my despair became too heavy to bear, I heard a voice—a familiar voice that made my blood run cold.“Ashley?”My breath caught in my throat as I strained to see the source of that voice. Squinting into the shadows, I caught a glimpse of someone else tied
Ashley’s POVI pressed my palms against the cool surface of the sink, my breath hitching as I allowed myself to grieve for the sister I had lost, for the bond we should have shared. I hoped she was alive with every fiber of my being, that the private investigator was right but I knew that hope was a dangerous game and might only lead to more heartbreak.After dressing up and giving myself a final look in the mirror, I headed downstairs, my heart still heavy but hoping the morning would bring some clarity. As I made my way down the hall, I spotted Clara in the kitchen, her soft smile warming my spirits.“Good morning, ma’am! Breakfast is ready. Andreas is waiting for you in the dining hall,” she said, her voice cheerful.“Thanks, Clara” I replied, managing a smile despite the lingering heaviness in my chest.As I walked into the dining hall, my heart lifted slightly at the sight of Andreas setting the table. He looked up, and a grin spread across his face, instantly making me feel a li
Ashley’s POVAs I ended the call with Sandra, a cold wave of dread washed over me. The thought of the gallery being broken into twisted my stomach into knots. What if this was connected to the stalker? My heart raced, a relentless drumbeat echoing the rising panic inside me. I could barely think as I turned to Andreas, who was already standing beside me, his expression serious.“What’s going on?” he asked, his voice steady but laced with concern.“Someone broke into the gallery,” I said, trying to keep my voice from shaking, but the words tumbled out in a rush. “Sandra said it’s a mess. I can’t just sit here and wait. I need to see it for myself.”Andreas nodded, his brows furrowing slightly. “Okay, let’s go. I’ll drive you.”“Are you sure? I don’t want to drag you into this,” I replied, reminding myself that Andreas had no idea that I could potentially have a stalker.“I don’t mind. You shouldn’t go alone, especially if it’s as serious as you say,” he insisted.I hesitated, torn betw
Ashley's POV “Look at the words,” Sandra said, her voice strained as she pointed. I swallowed hard, forcing my eyes to focus on the jagged letters that marred the painting’s surface. The message was clear and sinister, a chilling reminder that someone was watching, someone who knew more than I realized. One thing I was certain of was that whoever this was knew I was not Ashton.“I can’t believe this is happening,” I said, my voice shaking as the reality of the situation crashed over me.“Who do you think it could be?” Sandra asked, her brow furrowing. “A rival gallery? What if they’re trying to get inside our heads? This feels targeted, like they’re playing a sick game.”“I know,” I said, even though I suspected that this had nothing to do with the art business at all. I couldn’t tell Sandra that though. She was already spooked.“I’ve told the police everything I know and I’m sure they’ll take action. They can’t ignore physical evidence like this,” Sandra said, her voice firm. “This i
Ashley’s POVAfter Thomas left, I returned back to the wreckage of Ashton’s office, the feeling of unease gnawing at me. The slashed painting had been horrifying enough, but now I was alone, combing through the mess left behind, trying to make sense of it. It felt like walking through a minefield, every shattered piece of glass a reminder of how exposed I felt. Andreas had gone back to speaking to the officers, leaving me with my thoughts and the growing fear that I was missing something.I needed to find a clue, anything to tell me why this was happening. My hands trembled slightly as I sifted through papers scattered across Ashton’s desk, the scent of paint still heavy in the air. I glanced around the room, desperate for something out of place, something I could piece together. And then I saw it.The display case.Or what was left of it.I moved closer, my heart pounding in my chest. Shards of glass glittered on the floor like tiny shards of ice. Among the broken pieces and toppled
Ashley’s POVWhen I finally stepped out of the bathroom, still feeling shaky and lightheaded, I almost collided with Sandra, who was waiting right outside. Her eyes were wide with alarm, taking in my disheveled appearance, the remnants of panic still evident on my face.“Ashton, are you okay?” she asked, her voice laced with genuine worry.I forced a smile, but it felt like a grimace at the reminder that I was still pretending to be my missing sister. I knew I looked anything but okay. “Yeah, I’m fine,” I lied, my voice sounding hollow even to my own ears. “Just…it’s been a long day. A lot to take in.”Sandra didn’t look convinced. She stepped closer, lowering her voice as if she was afraid someone might overhear us. “You don’t seem fine. Maybe you should sit down, take a breather. This is…it’s all really intense.”I swallowed hard, trying to muster a reassuring tone. “I appreciate it, Sandra, really. But I can’t rest. Not right now. There’s too much happening, and I need to figure ou