Chapter 4: Ashley

Ashley's POV

“50 million dollars?” Stella and I exclaimed.

“Shh, girls, and yes. Your father’s will states that you both inherit $50m.” Uncle Wilbur said.

“Oh my gosh.” I paced around the kitchen.

“We’re rich!” Stella screamed in happiness.

“Stella!” Uncle Wilbur and I whined.

“I know, I’m sorry. I’ll be quiet.” She whispered.

This was such good news and I should be really happy. But I was really worried and curious.

Why now? 

My father owned a thriving oil and gas company, Ignite Resources. It was very popular and had many international collaborations. We were billionaires.

Everything was going so well, till it wasn’t.

My father wanted an heir to take over the company, but my mom birthed two girls instead, Stella and I. 

They tried over and over again, but to no avail. Dad started getting impatient and became abusive.

Mom would wake up with bruises, every mistake equals beatings but never tried to defend herself because she was much smaller than him. She didn’t do anything to protect herself, until one night she talked back at him.

Stella and I hid quickly in the room we always went to when the tantrum began.

We heard mom screams and pleas, followed by a loud bang. And then…silence.

I peeped through the door and I saw mom laying in a blood bath and dad with a gun.

The gory image never left my head. The neighbors had called the police and they rushed in fast, handcuffing dad. While we were taken to our grandparents home.

I was seven, Stella was four. We were just little children.

Every night was a different type of agony, though she didn’t fully understand yet. She’d ask me where mom and dad had gone, I had to lie to her all the time.

It kept replaying in my head. Gun. Dad. Mom. Blood. Dead.

And I’d get goosebumps every time.

Ignite Resources was closed down and Dad was sentenced to life imprisonment a few weeks later. And died after a year.

“Ash?” I heard a voice that cleared my thoughts.

“Sorry…what?” I turned as both of them looked worried.

“This is a serious issue here, girls. It’s not a joke.” Uncle Wilbur said.

“Look…I know, I know. But…it all just feels…”

“Too good to be true?” Stella cut in.

“Yeah…”

“I know what it sounds like. I didn’t believe it at first either. But the paperwork is legit and only your signature is needed. Your father’s lawyer called me this morning and said it was in your father’s will that you both inherit $50m, but the will should be read when you are matured enough to understand it-”

“I don’t think we should doubt this Ash, we can…try?” Stella said.

I crossed my arms and rolled my eyes. Stella was so blinded. There must be something.

“But…there’s a catch to it.” He said slowly.

“I knew it! $50m doesn’t just fall from the sk-”

“You have to be married.”

My heart dropped.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

My mind drifted back to Noah…and Anne…and their baby. The ache in my heart throbbed, feeling like salt was poured on my wound.

I hadn’t told them yet. I just can’t bring myself to tell them about the divorce. 

Stella would throw a tantrum, maybe even make situations worse. I would be more humiliated than I was when I was leaked.

I shuddered at the thought. I just wanted to run away, and hide from the world.

I felt bad for not telling Stella though, we always shared everything together, now it feels like I’m just…hiding things. 

But I’ve been given more reason to keep my divorce a secret. And I’d try to keep it that way.

Stella squealed and ran around for a full thirty seconds before coming back to the kitchen counter. 

“Someone’s happy.” Uncle Wilbur teased.

She smirked and meddled with her fingers. “I think it’s time I announced it officially,” She brought up her fingers and said, “I’m engaged!”

Her cheeks were so red, she could blow.

Uncle Wilbur choked on his words. “R…really? Congratulations-”

Their happy conversation blurred in front of me and all I could think of was all I’ve lost.

My husband, my dignity, my best friend…

My heart pounded faster.

I deserve better. I know I do. I just don’t know how I love with my whole heart and I end up getting played. I was so sure about him, so confident he loved me just as I loved him, but he was only using me…to get closer to who he actually loved.

“Ashley? How are you too…I heard about what happened, I hope you’re better?” Uncle Wilbur said.

My eyes filled with water and before I could think of  how to answer him, or what next to do, I dashed out of Stella’s apartment.

I heard them calling my name but I kept on running in a direction I didn’t even know.

I felt so free, so alive. Something I had never felt before.

Fuck!

I kicked the trash can on the side block.

Why? I cried out.

I fell on my knees and cried. Actually cried.

My phone kept on buzzing and ringing. It was Stella.

I didn’t pick it up. I didn’t have an explanation for what happened back there. I didn’t even want to show my face back there. I just wanted to be alone.

I felt sudden relief after I cried on the side block till some neighborhood dogs started to bark.

“Oh no.” I wiped my face with the sleeve and checked the time.

It was almost midnight. And I didn’t even know where I was.

“Miss?” A deep voice called from behind me.

I turned.

His green eyes hit me first. 

“Do you need help?” He said.

It was like my words disappeared. I opened my mouth and nothing came out.

“Hello?” He waved his hand in my face.

Fuck, he was beautiful.

“Yes…yes…no, I don’t need help, I’ll just…” I looked both ways and I sincerely didn’t know where I was.

“Okay but it seems you’re a bit lost…” He put his hands in his pocket.

Heat flushed my cheeks as I stared at his biceps.

Ash, snap out of it.

I cautioned myself. My marriage had ended less than 72 hours ago, and I’m already eyeing another man.

But I could’ve sworn I saw sparkles in those eyes.

“If you don’t mind, I parked right down the street, I could drop you off.” He stretched his hand down to where he parked.

I wanted to say yes so bad. 

“No, it’s fine, thank you.”

I regretted those words as soon as they came out of my mouth. 

“Oh…” He hesitated, then nodded. “Alright. But at least tell me where you’re headed.”

“I… don’t know.” The truth slipped out before I could stop it.

“I’m sorry but you look so familiar, do I know you or…?” He studied me for a second. Not like Noah did. Not like a man looking down on something broken. More like someone trying to understand.

My mind jumped straight to the leak. That must’ve been it.

I wanted to enter the ground so badly now.

“I can’t place my finger on it,” He kissed his teeth. “I’m so sorry if I’m intruding, I don’t think I can remember where I’ve seen you before. But you shouldn’t be out here alone this late,” he said gently. “Where do you live?”

“My sister’s apartment,” I muttered. “But I don’t remember the address.”

He blinked. “You ran away without knowing where you were going?”

I scoffed weakly. “Sounds stupid when you say it out loud.”

A corner of his lips lifted.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

“Ashley.”

“I’m Liam.”

Something about that name was... familiar but I couldn't place my finger on it.