Freedom in Ashes

Lucy calmly picked up the pen with the last bit of strength she had left and signed the divorce papers. Marcus took the document from her and reviewed the signature. Clara jumped up in excitement and rushed to his side.

“Is it done?” she asked eagerly.

Marcus nodded, but his face remained furrowed with an odd expression.

“Get her out of here,” he ordered the guards and walked away with the papers.

One of the guards scooped Lucy up and carried her out of the house. Once they were outside the gate, he took her to a shaded area and gently lowered her onto a bench. Lucy begged him to call Ashley. He made the call before leaving her alone.

It suddenly started snowing. The cold bit mercilessly into her open wounds. Her teeth chattered uncontrollably, and soon she fainted from the pain and exhaustion.

When she opened her eyes again, she was lying in a hospital bed. She looked around the room and saw Ashley staring out the window.

“Ash…” she whispered hoarsely.

Ashley spun around in shock and surprise. Her face quickly transformed into one of pure joy. “Lucy! You’re finally awake!”

She rushed to Lucy’s bedside and sat down, gently taking her hand. Her eyes were brimming with tears.

“Why are you crying? What happened?” Lucy asked weakly.

Ashley wiped her tears, struggling to hold herself together. “You’ve been in a coma for a month.”

“What? How?”

“Hold on, let me get the doctor.”

After several hours and thorough explanations from the doctor, Lucy finally understood the full extent of what had happened. Ashley had found her unconscious on the side of the street. After rushing her to the hospital, doctors confirmed she had slipped into a coma due to severe trauma and exposure. They also discovered that her baby had not survived the torture her body had endured.

However, the doctor revealed an even more shocking discovery. After running several tests, they found large amounts of contraceptive substances in her system — substances that had apparently been building up for years.

When questioned, Lucy recounted bitterly how Stella would force her to drink special herbal medicines every month, claiming they would help her get pregnant. All along, her mother-in-law had been feeding her drugs designed to destroy her reproductive system and potentially cause long-term damage, including cancer.

After being discharged from the hospital, Lucy went home with Ashley and crashed in her guest room. That night, she cried until she had no tears left, deeply mourning the loss of her unborn child. In the following weeks, she recovered slowly under Ashley’s care.

Mira, whose school was on holiday break, stayed by her side constantly, helping prevent her from spiraling into depression. Lucy treasured the sweet little girl, who was two years younger than Jaycee. Unlike Jaycee, Mira was well-behaved, kind, and considerate.

Lucy began searching for jobs to support herself, but it proved extremely difficult. She had no degree — only her high school certificate. Hope started fading with every rejection.

One day, after yet another failed application, she came across a strange poster on a wall and took it home. It was an exclusive advertisement seeking only three candidates for a rigorous three-years fashion design and clothing program. The major condition: complete isolation from the outside world for the entire duration.

That night after dinner, Lucy showed Ashley the poster. Ashley was skeptical due to the lack of detailed information. However, Lucy insisted she had no better options left.

She decided to take the gamble and join the program.