LOGINASHLEY“You planned this, didn't you?" I asked.Chloe's smile fell, and she darted a knowing glance at Lilian, fidgeting slightly."Look, Ashley–”I scoffed, cutting her off.“You're so sly!" I spat and turned to look at Lilian, the anger still in my eyes.Lilian smiled wider, tilting her head to the side."I forced her to do it. It's not her fault,” she said, and my belly knotted. “So, why do you want me here? To continue from where you stopped at the party?" I asked.The people at the other tables were now staring at us, but said nothing or took photos.The smile on her face faded, and she took a step, her eyes staring deep into mine. I didn't look away or flinch from her gaze. I didn't care about what she would do next. She had done the worst she could do anyway.My heart skipped a beat as she gripped my hand, her eyes softening.“I never knew Simon would try to hurt you that way. Please, forgive me for the way I behaved with you and mistreated you. I had the wrong idea about you.
ASHLEYShe was giving off a complete Lauren vibe, but I knew it was not Lauren. Not even a miracle would have made Lauren call me this way, but part of me wished it were a miracle and that it was Lauren.“I'm sorry, I'm a mess in recognizing people," I muttered.“Ah, yes, the only thing you can ever remember is a movie script," she said.My eyes dimmed, and I tilted my head to the side. I was sure I had heard that taunt somewhere."Oh, come on, Ash!” She groaned.My eyes slammed shut, and I ransacked my mind for any memory of someone who sounded that annoying aside from Lauren, but came up with none."It's Chloe! Chloe, Ash!” She snapped and clicked her tongue.My eyes widened, and I let out a gasp.I slapped my hand over my mouth, my brows raised in surprise.“I was not expecting it to be you!" I gasped, slipping into a smile before I knew it.“I know. We had quite a bad history back in college, so I'm not surprised that you have no good memory of me," she said, and I chuckled.“I he
ASHLEY“You don't have to worry about anything else. I'll take care of the transfer, and since the paperwork isn't ready yet, you'll have to sign another day, but for now, we need to get her transferred," Jasper said as we walked down the corridor after getting Doctor Nicholas's approval."Thank you for helping, Jasper,” I said, and he hummed softly, nodding his head.We paused in front of the elevator, waiting for it to open. I rubbed my arm, suddenly feeling nervous.“Uhm…” Jasper cleared his throat, and my heart gave a skip.I gulped hard and fixed my eyes on the button on the elevator, avoiding his eyes, which were obviously fixed on me.I knew he wanted to say something. Something that would surely have to do with his relationship status and what the man had said in the office, and I wasn't ready to hear any of it.He drew closer, rubbing his feet on mine. My heart raced as I stared down at our feet.“Uhm… about what happened in the office–”The door to the elevator pulled open,
ASHLEYMy breath hitched at his words, and I slowly turned my head to look at Jasper. He was flushed red as he avoided my eyes.“He didn't tell you?" The man chuckled and leaned back into his seat."What a shame,” he clicked his tongue.I clenched my fist, staring at him while burning deep inside of me. I didn't know if I was more enraged that Jasper lied to me about his relationship status or at the man using it as a gotcha moment to mock me, even though he knew nothing about me.“I'm sorry, sir, but you seem to be mistaken," I blurted out, and his smile faded. He looked at me, brows raised in question."Ah, you're still not ready to accept–”“I don't care about Mr Jasper's personal life. I'm not even his friend to begin with,” I said, and he scoffed in disbelief."I am only here because of my friend, not for some relationship,” I said, my gaze hardening. He ran his eyes over my body, finally staying calm.He looked away and continued to sort files, embarrassed."Thank you,” Jasper w
ASHLEY“Jasper!" I gasped and didn't think twice before leaping into his arms. I wrapped my hands tightly around him and cried into his chest, letting out all my frustration on him.Jasper stiffened, not asking me what was going on or pushing me away. He just stood there, hands by his side, body as stiff as that of a log, but that didn't make me pull away either.I sobbed, my heart aching in pain and guilt as the doctor's words echoed in my head. This was all my fault. It was my fucking fault that Lauren was in there battling for her life.Perhaps, if I had listened to him and stayed at the hospital, this wouldn't have happened to her. I would have seen her call and picked her up myself. She would have avoided the accident.“Oh, Jasper, I'm fucked up," I whispered, hitting my fist softly on his chest."I knew that the moment I saw you,” he muttered, leaving a fake chuckle at the end of his words.Footsteps approached us, and he wrapped his hand around my waist and pulled me back into
ASHLEY“Miss Ashley, please, hold up!" Luis called after me as I ran into the hospital, barely breathing and not in a sane state of mind.Everyone seemed to freeze as all eyes turned in my direction. My heart raced, my mind fuzzed, and my eyes darted around as I tried to catch my breath and get the attention away.I parted my trembling lips to scream at the people staring at me, but a hand grabbed my shoulders, stopping me.“Don't look at anyone, just follow me," Luis whispered from behind, and I nodded, barely thinking of his words twice. He led me to the receptionist’s desk and leaned forward, his hand still wrapped around my shoulder.“Sorry, we're looking for…” he trailed off and looked at me.I finally understood what he was saying and looked up at the receptionist, my heart tightening as I forced the name out.“Lauren… Lauren Campbell,” I blurted out, feeling a sting of pain in my heart.The woman's smile fell when I said her name.“You'll have to stay in the waiting room, she's







