ASH

002

Ash was my best friend. The only friend I had after leaving my father’s house.

We met at the park—heartbroken, she sat alone, crying after the man she loved dumped her for another. I consoled her, knowing all too well how it felt to lose someone you love. Ever since that day, we had been inseparable.

I never thought she’d be the one to betray me like this. The one to come after my man. My Ryan.

My fingers curled into fists, nails biting into my palms. Without hesitation, I walked toward her, my footsteps heavy with anger. She sat on the bed, oblivious to what was coming.

The slap echoed through the room.

Ash’s head snapped to the side, her dark curls shielding her face. Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating.

"You of all people?" My voice trembled with fury. "You disgust me, Ash! Do you remember the day we met? When I held you as you cried over that jerk who dumped you? And now, you're after my man? Shameless!" My voice rose, thick with betrayal.

She didn’t answer. Tears streamed down her face, but she refused to meet my eyes.

Her silence only fueled my rage. I lunged forward, grabbing a fistful of her tangled hair. "Look at me!" I yanked her closer, my whole body shaking.

I raised my hand again, ready to strike, but before I could, a firm grip clamped onto my wrist and yanked me backward.

Before I could process what was happening, a sharp sting exploded across my cheek.

I staggered, gasping.

Ryan.

He stood in front of me, chest heaving with fury. The man I had loved, the man I had given everything to, was looking at me like I was the villain.

Tears blurred my vision as I clutched my burning cheek. "I never expected this from you, Ryan," I choked out. "You owe me! I left my father’s house, gave up everything just to be with you. And now you're having an affair with this—this bitch I used to call my friend? You disgust me!" I spat the words at him.

"Not another word from you, Alora," he barked. "In fact, it’s time you left this house."

I tilted my head, scoffing. "Oh, it’s time I leave my house? Aren’t you pathetic, Ryan? I’d love to see you try and make me."

His fingers closed around my wrist like iron, yanking me toward the door.

I struggled, digging my heels into the floor, but he was stronger. Still, I refused to give up. With a desperate move, I sank my teeth into his hand.

He let go with a sharp hiss of pain.

I didn’t waste the opportunity. My eyes darted around, searching for anything I could use to defend myself. Before I could grab something, he lunged for me again. I wrenched my arm free and slapped him across the face.

His jaw clenched. His eyes darkened.

"What is wrong with you, Ryan?" My voice shook with rage. "We just got married a few days ago, and now this? You cheat on me with Ash, and then you have the nerve to kick me out of my own house?"

Ryan’s lips curled into a slow, mocking smirk.

"Your house?" His voice dripped with amusement.

A cold shiver ran down my spine.

"And when," he continued, stepping closer, "did we ever get married?"

I froze.

"What?" My heart pounded. "Ryan, you were there, you idiot! Two days ago, you gave me our court marriage papers. I signed them, Ryan! We’re legally married!"

His chuckle was low, cruel. "Oh, Alora…" He shook his head, like I was a child who didn’t understand the world.

"You really thought those were marriage papers?" He leaned in, his breath hot against my skin. "They were power of attorney papers."

The floor tilted beneath me.

My chest constricted. My breath came in shallow, uneven gasps.

Power of attorney?

No. No, this couldn’t be happening.

The man I loved—the man I thought loved me—had betrayed me in ways I couldn’t even fathom. This wasn’t the Ryan I knew. The Ryan I knew used to kiss me goodnight. He used to tell me I was his everything.

This man was a monster.

"You signed everything over to me," he whispered, his eyes gleaming with triumph. "Your wealth. This apartment. Everything."

I stumbled back, my body shaking.

"And, Alora?" He glanced at Ash, who was now standing confidently beside him, her arms crossed.

"It’s her I love."

Ash smirked, stepping forward. "You should see your face right now," she purred. "Priceless."

My pulse roared in my ears. My vision blurred.

Ryan’s voice was the final knife to my gut. "You were nothing but a pawn in my game."

My knees buckled. I hit the ground, my nails digging into the cold hardwood floor. The world around me felt unreal—like I was watching someone else’s tragedy unfold.

Ash sighed dramatically. "Ryan,Let her leave our sweet home.

Without thinking twice he grabbed my arm and yanked me to my feet.

He didn’t even hesitate. His grip tightened as he dragged me out of the room and through the living room.

With one final shove, he threw me outside.

I hit the ground hard, gravel scraping my palms.

The door slammed shut.

I banged against it, my fists bruising against the wood. "Ryan, open up! Please!"

Nothing.

A cold breeze slithered through the night, chilling me to the bone. My breaths came in short, uneven gasps.

I was alone.

Lost.

Unwanted.

My father’s voice echoed in my head, cold and final. You walk out that door, don’t bother coming back.

I pressed a trembling hand to my chest, trying to hold myself together.

A buzzing sound pulled me from my despair.

My phone.

I pulled it out with shaking fingers. The screen was cracked, but a notification blinked through the broken glass.

From: Editor

Subject: Submission Update

I opened the email, my heart pounding.

We regret to inform you that your current work does not meet our platform’s requirements…

I couldn’t read the rest. The words blurred together.

A rejection.

Well, nothing strange, it happens, I guess it wasn't good enough

My life felt like a movie, Ryan, and my home. Everything was gone

A hollow laugh bubbled in my throat, slipping past my lips like a broken melody.

First, I was betrayed. Then, I was thrown out of my own house?, you got some guts Ryan, I'll make you pay, I said to myself.

Looking at my situation now I was completely doomed. Where was I supposed to go from here?, well I didn't have the time to answer that question.

I turned away from the door, my feet moving on their own. The street stretched before me, empty and endless.

I kept walking. One step after another, as if I could outrun the pain clawing at my chest.

Tears spilled down my cheeks, but I didn’t bother wiping them away, each drop of tear fueled my hatred and anger towards Ryan. I'll make you regret this Ryan I said in my mind, I'll make all of you pay.

I didn't know where I was going—I just knew I couldn't stay. My feet kept carrying me, which each passing step my head ached more and my vision blurred and the next thing I collapsed to the ground.

The last thing I heard, was the screeching noise of a car coming to halt and a faint voice in a distance before everything went dark.