SHE'S MINE! Stolen By Desire

Ashley sat motionless in the cold hospital chair, her hands clasped tightly together as if holding herself together. The minutes stretched endlessly, each one heavier than the last. The emergency room doors remained closed. No news. No updates. Nothing. Then hurried footsteps. Ashley lifted her head just as Mia burst into the waiting area. “Ashley!” Mia’s voice was laced with worry as she rushed over, immediately crouching in front of her. Ashley’s lip trembled. The moment she saw her best friend’s concerned face, the dam broke. Tears spilled down her cheeks. “Mia… I don’t know what to do.” Mia grabbed her hands. “I’m here, okay? What did the doctors say?” Ashley shook her head. “They... they haven’t come out yet.” Her voice was barely a whisper. Mia’s jaw clenched. “And Alex?” Ashley swallowed hard, glancing at her phone. No missed calls. No messages. “He hasn’t called back.” Mia exhaled sharply, anger flashing in her eyes. But before she could say anything, t

Alex's face finally crumpled, and for the first time, Ashley saw tears welling up in his eyes. He swallowed hard, his shoulders tensing before his expression broke into something raw. “I swear, Ashley, I didn’t mean to ignore you,” his voice trembled, and his fingers clenched into fists before he dragged them down his face in frustration. “I... I was working. I didn’t know. If I had known—” His breath hitched, and a tear slipped down his cheek. “I would have been there. I should have been there.” Ashley’s chest ached at the sight. Was this real? Was he finally realizing the depth of what they had lost? He reached for her again, slower this time, like he was afraid she’d pull away. His warm hand cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing over the tear-streaked skin. “I know I failed you.” His voice cracked. “I should have picked up the phone. I should have been home. I should have—” His shoulders shook, and he shut his eyes as more tears spilled. “I should have protected our son.” Ashley

The room spun as Alex's weight pressed down on her, his breath hot and thick with whiskey. The scent clung to him, suffocating her, making her stomach churn. Ashley squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself anywhere but here. His hands were rough, unrelenting, tearing at the fabric of her dress as if it had personally offended him. The sound of ripping filled the silence a sharp, cruel reminder of how little her resistance meant. "Alex, please," she whispered, but the words barely scraped past her throat. He ignored her. His mouth dragged over her skin, sloppy and possessive. His grip was bruising, fingers digging into her hips, his body pressed so tightly against hers that she could barely breathe. "You’re mine," he muttered against her collarbone, his voice thick with drunken arrogance. "You always will be." A tear slipped down her cheek. Ashley pushed against his chest, her hands trembling, but he barely noticed. Or maybe he did and just didn’t care. "Stop," she tried

Ashley’s stomach twisted. Without waiting for her response, he stepped out of the car, circling around to open her door. A gentlemanly act, if only it were real. Cameras flashed the second she stepped out. Alex’s hand rested firmly on her waist as he led her inside, his grip possessive. He smiled for the cameras, his charm effortless, as if he were the perfect, devoted husband. Ashley lifted her chin, her expression composed. No one could see the truth behind her carefully painted face. Inside, the ballroom was breathtaking. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over the towering floral arrangements and glittering tables. The city’s most powerful figures moved gracefully, exchanging polite laughter and quiet deals behind champagne glasses. It was all so fake. "Stay close," Alex murmured, leaning in slightly. His breath was warm against her ear, but it sent a chill down her spine. "I have important people to impress." Ashley nodded numbly, slipping into her role with p

Ashley endured the rest of the gala in silence, the rage burning inside her carefully concealed beneath a mask of poise. Every laugh Alex shared, every touch he gave her in front of the guests, felt like a mockery. A cruel performance. The night dragged on, but she barely registered the conversations around her. She only spoke when necessary, her mind trapped in the restroom, replaying the secretary’s words over and over. Last Tuesday. The same night I lost my baby. It took everything in her not to shatter the fragile illusion of a perfect couple. When the event finally ended, Alex placed his hand on the small of her back as they walked out, his grip firm as if he owned her. The cameras flashed, capturing their exit him, the successful businessman; her, the devoted wife. As they stepped into the car, the driver closing the door behind them, Alex let out a sigh of contentment, stretching slightly. “That went well,” he murmured, loosening his tie. Ashley didn’t respond. She simply