Ashley’s POV
"So, are you and your sister, Ashley close?" Annabel asked, her voice filled with genuine curiosity. I paused, turning to look at her.
“The last time I saw her was at the wedding,” she continued, blissfully unaware that the person was asking about was much closer than she knew.
"We have our moments," I replied cautiously, trying to sound like the confident, outspoken Ashton I was supposed to be. "Siblings, you know. We fight, we make up."
Annabel nodded thoughtfully. "I know exactly what you mean. My siblings don't see eye to eye at all, as you saw at dinner. I'm glad Andreas married someone as charming as you."
A warm blush crept up my cheeks, even though the compliment wasn't for me. "Thank you," I replied, trying to sound casual “I'm glad I have a sister-in-law as charming as you.”
Annabel laughed, a bright, infectious sound that filled the quiet of the hallway. "Don't let Amarinth hear you say that," she whispered. "Andreas is the only one who doesn't give me a hard time, but he's not exactly Mr. Talkative."
Well, Amarinth had already made it clear last night that she couldn't stand Ashton’s guts and I was about to ask her more, to delve deeper into their complex family dynamics, but we had reached the garden, and our attention shifted to the scene before us.
Every member of the family was already outside, with Alfred and Margaret sitting under a large canopy, Sansa and Amarinth on either side of them, while other people, who I assumed were the staff by their uniforms hurried to and fro.
A man, impeccably dressed in a suit, stepped forward, his voice carrying across the clearing. "Good morning, everyone. It is an honor to coordinate this year's hunt. As you know, safety is paramount. The safe zones have been marked on the maps that will be distributed to the gentlemen shortly."
A murmur of anticipation rippled through the small crowd of people, townsfolk that were in attendance and seated under another canopy. The whole setup was ancient, like I was watching a scene out of a historical drama. I exchanged a glance with Annabel, who rolled her eyes dramatically. "It's such bullshit that women are not allowed to participate and that we have to stay behind and 'prepare' for the dinner when there's an entire staff to do that for us," she muttered under her breath.
That was when I realized what I'd missed. The men, besides Alfred, were nowhere to be found. As I scanned the clearing again, my gaze landed on Andreas. He stood beside his horse, his long legs clad in riding pants, his hands gently massaging the animal's neck. There was a softness to his expression that I hadn't seen the night before, a vulnerability that made him seem almost human. It seemed his softness was reserved for certain people then and from his attitude since he arrived, Ashton wasn't one of them.
Adam, too, was engrossed in preparing his horse, his movements sharp and decisive. And then there was Thomas, Amarinth's husband. Our eyes met, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. Something was unsettling about the intensity of his gaze.
The steward's voice cut through my thoughts. "Ladies, please gather around the map stand and collect the maps for your husbands."
Annabel nudged me forward, an excited glint in her eye. As I approached the stand, I noticed the maps were arranged neatly, each with a name tag. I quickly scanned the maps, comparing them. There was a distinct difference between the maps for Thomas and Adam, and Andreas'. A detail, a slight variation in the outline of the landscape. I couldn't pinpoint it, but something was amiss.
Before I could examine them further, Amarinth and Sansa joined me at the stand. Amarinth gave me a pointed look, her lips curved into a smirk. Sansa, on the other hand, offered a shy smile. I ignored Amarinth and picked up Andreas's map.
Arriving at where he stood with his horse, I ignored the way my heart skipped as his eyes fell on me, shoving the map into his hands.
“Why, hello, my dear wife,” He announced, his voice sweet and fake. For someone who Annabel said was unsociable, he sure knew how to put up an act.
I rolled my eyes and leaned in to whisper to him, "There's something off about these maps. Yours in particular.”
He took the map, his eyes scanning it quickly. "I'll be fine, we enter these woods every year," he replied, his voice low.
"But what if I'm right? What if something happens?" I pressed, my voice trembling slightly.
Pausing, he scanned my face, his brows raised in surprise and then he leaned in, his breath warm against my ear. "Then you'll be the happiest widow in the world, won't you? You did say those words to me on our wedding night."
Ashley’s POV“Thank you,” I managed, taking the bouquet from Andreas, my fingers trembling slightly. “You… you came.”He chuckled softly, nodding. “Wouldn’t miss it. I’m proud of you, Ashley. You’re amazing. The book…it’s incredible.” He paused, and the warmth in his eyes made my heart race. “I’ve already read it, by the way,” he added, a hint of teasing in his tone. “I couldn’t put it down.”A small, awkward laugh escaped my lips, a nervous sound. “You read it?” I asked, almost incredulous. “All of it?”He nodded, his gaze unwavering. “Every word. You have a real talent, Ashley. I’m not just saying that because of…well, because of us.” He gave a small smile, almost sheepish, and I swallowed, fighting the urge to reach out and kiss him. “You’ve always had it in you. I’m just glad the world gets to know the face behind the work.”I felt a warmth in my chest, the kind that had been absent for so long. I opened my mouth to thank him and paused, wondering if he’d leave after I responded a
Ashley’s POVThe book launch venue was everything I’d hoped it would be—a cozy, intimate setting with an air of understated elegance. The soft glow of chandeliers reflected off the polished wood floors, and the tables were lined with white tablecloths, their centerpieces adorned with my favorite flowers. It was the kind of place that felt warm and welcoming, just like the people who had supported me along the way. As I stood outside for a moment, taking in the sight of it all, a nervous flutter took over my stomach. The event was finally happening. This was real. I rushed to the back entrance, slightly out of breath as I adjusted my dress. It was simple but elegant, a soft blue outfit that felt just right for the occasion. I had done everything to plan, but of course, I was running behind. The chaos of getting ready and the last-minute checks on everything had left me feeling a bit frazzled, but beneath the nerves, there was a sense of excitement I couldn’t ignore. This moment was f
Ashley’s POVA Year LaterThe air was crisp, but the sun cast a warm, golden glow over the gravesite. I sat on the bench near Ashton’s tombstone, the scent of fresh flowers mixing with the earthy smell of the cemetery. In my hands, I held a bouquet of bright flowers and a box of cookies—the kind we used to love as kids.I arranged them carefully at the base of the stone, each movement slow, deliberate. I knew Ashton wasn’t really here, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was still with me—somewhere, somehow. Sometimes, I liked to think she could hear me, or at least, feel my presence. So, I began speaking aloud, as if she were sitting right beside me, just like when we were younger, chatting about everything and nothing at all.“It’s been an eventful year, Ash,” I murmured, feeling the weight of the words as I spoke them. “I guess you know that already, but I still need to say it. I’ve been doing a lot of things I never thought I’d do.”I paused, looking out at the rows of grave
Ashley’s POVI swallowed hard, my throat tightening. The words felt like a punch in the gut, but in a way, they were also the relief I hadn’t known I was waiting for. My sister, my twin, had always been larger than life. She had overshadowed me in everything—her beauty, her confidence, her charisma. It wasn’t always intentional. She hadn’t known the effect she had on me, the way I always felt like I was just trying to catch up, just trying to exist beside her.“I’m sorry for all the times I overshadowed you, even without meaning to. You were always the best part of me.”The words blurred as tears welled up in my eyes. I hadn’t realized until that moment how much I had needed to hear them. I had spent so much of my life feeling like an afterthought, living in the space that Ashton’s brilliance had left behind. But now, as I read those words, I allowed myself to believe them—for the first time in my life.“I hope you can forgive me for all the times I wasn’t there, for all the mess I le
Ashley’s POVThe room was quiet, save for the hum of the heater, a soft background noise that reminded me that I was no longer at the mansion. I sat at the small desk in the corner of my now shared apartment with Liv, staring at the blank page of my journal. The pen in my hand felt foreign, like I was holding someone else’s tool, meant for someone else’s purpose.It had been weeks since I left Andreas, though it still felt like I was living in the aftermath of that decision. The pain was still there, a constant presence in the pit of my stomach, but there was something else, too—a strange, bittersweet peace. I was no longer just pretending. I wasn’t living in the shadow of Ashton’s life, her successes, her untimely death. I was just... me.I shifted in the chair, pulling my knees up to my chest as I let my gaze drift out the window. The lights of the city twinkled below, but the sky above was dark, as though it mirrored the way I still felt inside. Despite the nights I cried myself to
Andreas’s POVMoving to the bedroom, I laid on Ashley’s side, feeling the coldness of the sheets where her warmth had once been. Without her, it felt wrong, everything felt wrong. But I couldn’t change it. Not yet, at least. She had made her choice, and I had to respect that.I had to admit it, even to myself: I didn’t think I could live without her. But as much as I ached for her, chasing after her now would only drive her further away. She needed time, space to figure herself out, and I wasn’t about to make her feel cornered. I wasn’t about to be the one who trapped her. She had already sacrificed so much for me, for Ashton. If I was going to love her the way she deserved, I had to let her go.I knew that she didn’t ask me to wait. She hadn’t asked me to do anything, really, except to give her what she needed. But in my heart, I couldn’t shake the resolve that I would wait for her. Time would pass, and maybe she’d find her way back to me. Or maybe she wouldn’t. But no matter what, I