LOGINAshley’s POVThe further I advanced up the stairs, the more pungent the smell of perfume and air freshener got, and the more convinced I was that whoever sprayed it was trying to mask another smell.The master bedroom door creaked softly as I pushed it open, and if I thought the smell was strong before, then I had been mistaken. In here, it was overpowering and literally choked me.Despite how powerful it was, I could still sense that underlying smell, which I still hadn’t been able to place. It didn’t matter, though, because in the next second, I got distracted as I stepped into the master bedroom.It was in total disarray and looked like a tornado had passed through there. Several drawers had been pulled open, and documents and all sorts of papers were scattered everywhere on the floor.At first, panic gripped me as I wondered if someone had tried to rob the house. The whole chaos looked deliberate … as if someone had been desperately searching for something. I looked around the roo
Ashley’s POVMy breath caught in my throat. I stared at the message, which was sent less than two hours ago. Help me? What on earth was going on? Why would Janet of all people need my help, considering how we parted the last time we saw each other?I quickly dialed her number and raised the phone to my ear. It rang and rang, but there was no answer. I pulled the phone away slowly, staring at it and wondering what was up with that.If she had been desperate enough to send that message, then why wasn't she answering her phone? I called her again, but still, the phone went unanswered. Maybe it was nothing then.Maybe she had sent the message in a moment of panic, but enough time had passed that everything was fine now, and she was back to not wanting to hear from me. I could just go home and forget all about it.After all, I didn't owe her anything … not anymore. But even as the thought crossed my mind, different scenarios, none of them good, kept springing up in my mind.What if she wer
Ashley’s POVNot long after Clara and I finished talking, I left her place, my heart heavy with the things that I had learned. Being in that tiny living room that smelled of sickness had me feeling depressed and suffocated.So, after a reasonable time had passed, I made some flimsy excuses and got the hell out of there, assuring Clara that I had forgiven her and I bore no grudges against her, which was true.That phase of my life was firmly behind me, and I only wanted closure from it, as well as justice, if possible. I walked out of the building slowly, my thoughts racing, and made my way back to my car.There wasn’t anything more to gain from the conversation, as Clara had already given me more than enough information to confirm what I had suspected ever since Jeff told me about Claire and her obsession with him when they were younger, as well as explained how that letter came to be.Also, Jeff hadn’t fought with anyone, not to mention killing them, as my captors claimed. It had all
Ashley’s POVHer shoulders sagged, and shame entered her eyes, but she shook her head. “I wish that were the case, because maybe it would make what I did less morally wrong, but the truth was that I did it because I was offered money. I should never have accepted, especially considering how nice you were to my children and me, and once again, I am sorrier than you would ever believe or imagine.”“I see,” I said coldly.“The only excuse I have is that at the time, things were very bad for us. My son was very sick, and I didn't have the money to take him to the hospital. I didn't know what to do.”“I want to know how it happened. Who were the people who offered you money? Did you know why they wanted you to tell these lies?”“I'm sorry, but I don’t know the answer to either question. I do remember that there were two men. They told me that if Jeff ever came around asking about you, I should tell him that you had confided in me about leaving him for a rich man. They didn’t give any expla
Ashley’s POVThe girl got up as I approached her, and as I got a good look at her, I gasped aloud and nearly stopped in my tracks. She was pregnant … heavily so, and was so far along that her belly pushed insistently against the cheap fabric of her dress.But that wasn’t all. Her face and the parts of her body that I could see were badly bruised from an obvious beating.She stared at me curiously as I headed towards her, and then the curiosity on her face changed to surprise, after which her face broke out in a warm, welcoming smile that revealed two missing front teeth.My heart sank, and my stomach churned, but I smiled back at her, wondering if she recognized me. The last time I saw her, she was a mere child … around nine or ten years old.“Ms. Ashley? Is that you?” She asked, struggling to her feet as she stretched out her arms for a hug, which I gladly gave to her.Even when she was younger, she had always been a cheerful child, and I was glad to note that despite her situation,
Ashley’s POVThere were four of them in total, all boys. They looked rough … the epitome of street boys, and were dressed in baggy clothes.They swaggered carelessly towards my car, cigarettes hanging from their fingers as they laughed among themselves and cracked inner jokes.One of them finally noticed me inside the car, and his gaze sharpened immediately as he nudged another one.By this time, they were already walking past the car, but now, they changed course, and as a group, all of them changed direction and turned back.My heart began to race, but my instincts kicked in immediately. I pushed the door open and stepped out before they could surround the vehicle.From their stance, I knew they were up to no good, and the last thing I needed right then was any trouble. My back straightened automatically, and I lifted my chin just a little.For a brief moment, the boys seemed surprised that I had gotten out of the car instead of shrinking away or cowering, but they didn't stop.One
Ashley’s POVTerrified beyond words, I dash out of my car, leaving the lights and the car door open in my hurry, and race over to my daughter, my heart in my throat.“Aurora! Aurora! Baby!” I scream.Despite my screams of terror, she remains motionless and doesn’t stir. I sink to the floor beside
shley's POV“Uh, hello?” I say hesitantly into the phone.“Hello, good morning. Am I speaking with Ms. Ashley Hunt?” The speaker, a female whose voice I don’t recognize, asks.Her voice is calm … too calm, but that doesn’t ease my worry even a little bit. In fact, it rather worsens it.It's the kin
Ashley’s POVContrary to what Claire said about Jeff resuming work on Tuesday or Wednesday, he doesn’t show up on any of those days, for reasons best known to him.Normally, I wouldn’t have given a single damn about his continued absence, after all, the last thing I want is to have to endure his sm
Ashley’s POVBy the time I trudge back into the office, I’m dead-tired, and my legs feel like they’re made of jelly.I deliver the yogurt to Jeff’s office, where Claire is, and this time around, she doesn’t send any snide remarks, mean looks, or grating words my way.“May I go and continue with my







