MasukASHLEY The room went silent the moment I walked in.Margaret had insisted on having my father's will read out tonight. Since no one would listen to me, I had no choice but to silently agree.I knew everything was going to go in their favor and I would have to move out of the family house completely.It would be my last night stepping into this house.I took a deep breath, returned the glares of everyone in the large room, and sat down at the far end of the room, away from everyone.I could hear Margaret chuckle mockingly under her breath when I sat down.I was sure she had a party prepared to be launched after the company and all of father's property would be announced to be her son’s“I didn't expect you to show up after the embarrassment you made our family face,” Aunt Jessica blurted out.My lip stretched into a smile as I turned my head to look at her.“You mean the embarrassment my father's son made your family face?” I muttered, stressing the word ‘your’.She frowned deeply alo
ASHLEY My chest tightened when the voice of my father's son filled the garden. I stood frozen, staring at the entrance of the garden while murmurs and shrieks surrounded me. My fist clenched as he staggered into the garden, a grin on his face. He staggered fully in, his eyes narrowing and his feet trembling. He looked like a tout in those stupid, colorful clothes, and his hair was a mess, a spiky mess. I clenched my jaw, glaring hatefully at him as he staggered deeper into the garden, his grin widening when his eyes shifted in my direction. “Hello everyone! Inam back!” He growled and my face heated in embarrassment. “Is that your brother?” Lauren whispered, mockery evident in her voice. I sighed out, closing my eyes as anger roared through me. Margaret walked briskly towards her son and gripped his arm, whispering words to him. The grin on his face faded and he looked at me. Our eyes locked and I could swear I saw hatred dash across those eyes. I wasn't surprised. That was al
ASHLEY I didn't know what to do as I stood there, dumbstruck and confused. My heart was racing in my chest, my belly was twisted in horror and I felt a sinking, weakening feeling enveloping every part of me. I gulped hard, my throat still dry and tight as I stared at the necklace. She was the one who had bought the second one. How was that possible? Why didn't I know all this while? I gasped and began to draw closer, slower this time. Before I could get closer to where she stood so I could question her, someone grabbed my hand from behind and dragged me out of the place. My heart dropped into the bottom of my belly and rage sparked through me as I struggled to get the hands of whoever was holding me off my wrist. From the corner of my eyes as I struggled, I saw Margaret turn in the direction of the place I once stood. “Let go of me!" I spat and jerked my hand away from his grip. The person turned and it turned out to be Skylar. I scoffed, disappointed that it wasn't Michae
ASHLEYMichael let go of my hand when his friends came over to greet him. We were back at the funeral party being hosted in my father's garden. That was his favorite part of the garden. It irritated me that that was the part Margaret decided to throw her stupid party. I knew behind those black dresses and small talk, there was happiness and excitement. All I'd heard since I was standing here was the possibility of the inheritance becoming Margaret's and her children's.Everyone at the party had pretended like Michael and I didn't exist. Even though Michael wasn't interested in things like that, he was obviously pissed to see the direction of every conversation we decided to be part of.I sighed and rubbed my wrist, glancing at the flowers my father was watering the day I came to see him. The last day I saw him alive and smiling.“Miss Carter." I turned when someone mentioned my name behind me.The smile that I was about to throw onto my face disappeared when my eyes fell on Mrs. Morg
ASHLEYI watched silently with a heavy heart as they lowered the gold coffin into the ground. Margaret wailed loudly beside me, and Karen followed along with their false cries.I pinned my blurry gaze on the casket, barely batting an eyelid over the people who gathered to console their fake cries.If I should bat an eyelid, tears would definitely slip out of my eyes and expose the weakest part of me.I sighed and closed my eyes, feeling that pain-filled sting in my chest.“To ashes we come, to ashes we return," the priest said, and the people chorused a quivering Amen.I sucked in a deep breath, gripping the hem of my black dress as they began to lay him down in a place I would never see him again.My throat burned in pain and rage, and my heart ached so badly that I feared it would burst out in flames. I shouldn't have stared, but I did anyway. I wanted to watch as they buried him. I wanted to feel that pain, that rage. I wanted to taste that unquenchable thirst of vengeance.I stood
ASHLEY My heart dropped into the deepest part of my belly and shivers washed down my back. I staggered back, the hairs on my skin jerking up in horror.“Kourtney?" I whispered in a quivering voice.I looked at Michael, but he looked away, unable to explain either.I gasped loudly and gripped the hem of my dress.Margaret gripped my arm and pushed me back, glaring hatefully at me.“You made him start digging around for things he shouldn't have dug for," she whispered and my throat knotted.My lips parted and slammed shut, confusion welling up in me.“What do you mean?" I snapped when I couldn't take in the confusion anymore.She wanted to say something else to me but paused and looked back at the people staring at us.She turned and glared at me then hissed and turned around to go back to where she was sitting.I stood there, dazed, as I stared at them.How did my father find out about Kourtney? Why did that name kill him?My heart clenched, and guilt filled my chest with bile rising
ASHLEY I slowly looked down from where I was standing and saw Skylar but he wasn't alone. His mom was standing right before him."I don't know what you're talking about!” Skylar spat at his mom.Her lips twitched up in anger and she released a scoff."Really? Did you fall in love with her so much
ASHLEY I diverted my mind to the make-out session I had with Skylar a few minutes ago when I walked into the bathroom. I walked to the bathtub and dipped into the warm water, closing my eyes as the water covered me up. I leaned in and released a sigh, feeling a tingling sensation crawling over my
ASHLEY “Why isn't she waking up?" "Ashley?” “Hey, open your eyes, I'm right next to you." Different voices filled my head as I swam around in darkness.I felt strong hands grip my shoulders and another one clasped my cold hand. I shuddered and suddenly I felt my body and spirit returning again.
ASHLEY “Enough!" Skylar's growl pierced through my troubled thoughts as I tried to turn on my phone. I raised my head and realized that they were still arguing. "I won't let you say another word about her,” he warned, shaking his fist at her. He spun around and grabbed my hand, staring into my







