LOGINJeff’s POVThe rain hadn’t subsided in the least bit. If anything, it had even increased in tempo. I grimaced, hating how somber and depressing the atmosphere looked because of it.I drove home slowly, my mind in a turmoil, as I imagined what Ashley must be going through, or even worse, if she was still alive. No! No, I couldn't think like that.I had to have hope. I tried to sleep, but of course, needless to say that sleep didn't come. So I lay there in bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind replaying everything over and over again, as I tried to, as I wondered how on earth I could have missed the signs.Finally, around dawn, my body finally gave out, and I fell asleep without even realizing it. I woke up hours later with a start.For a second, I was disoriented, and everything came crashing back into my mind at once, and I flew out of bed and dived for my phone immediately. Ashley!The digital clock showed that it was already past ten in the morning. I had woken up late, but that was
Jeff’s POVFor several seconds, my brain refused to process what I was looking at. Once it did, though, the sudden urge to retch overcame me as I realized what I was looking at.This was a threat … a death threat, written in what looked like dried blood, and it was stored alongside the breakup letter and the pictures that someone gave Ashley to make her believe that I was cheating on her.With shaking hands, I reached for another of the small envelopes. It contained the same words as did the others. My pulse roared in my ears as I looked through them.“What the hell? I exclaimed, my voice sounding unbelievably loud in the otherwise quiet house.It was crazy to think that someone had been sending these to Ashley of all people. She was the last person who should be getting threats, considering how easy-going and drama-free she was.A wave of anger and fear crashed over me at once at the fact that she had been facing this all on her own, just as she had quietly endured Claire’s abuse of
Jeff’s POVThe police station visit was a blur of activities. They asked a lot of questions, like her name, when she was last seen, why I thought she was actually missing and hadn’t just taken off, and other stuff like that, which I answered to the best of my abilities.To me, it felt like they didn’t take the whole thing seriously enough, and this annoyed the hell out of me.In the end, they assured me that they would look into the matter, and while it didn't feel like enough, it was something. Right then, I needed a glimpse of hope, no matter how little.After I left the police station, I didn't go back to the office, because there was no point. With the way anxiety was tearing through me, there was no way I would be able to get anything done.So instead of going back to work, I drove home, my mind racing. I needed to do something, no matter how little.I felt so useless and helpless, having all the money in the world, yet being unable to do anything to find Ashley.As I was mulling
Jeff’s POVBy the time dawn came, I had to give up trying to pretend to sleep entirely because there was no point in doing so. I was basically just lying there doing nothing.Getting up from bed, I went to the bathroom, splashed water on my face, and stared at myself in the mirror, unable to believe how tired I looked and how bad the bags under my eyes looked.I got to the office very early and tried to catch up on all the work I had missed yesterday. The building was still quiet when I got there, with most of the staff yet to arrive, which was great.I went straight to my office anyway, dropped my keys on my desk, and pulled out my phone again. There was still no message from her. I exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through my hair as I began pacing the length and breadth of the room."Come on, Ashley, where are you?" I muttered under my breath.This was so unlike her, and I couldn’t wait until she arrived at work this morning to explain why she went AWOL.‘If she comes back, that is.
Jeff’s POVI had just remembered one of Ashley’s friends from the office, named Andrea. Andrea was an intern, but she has since completed her internship and left.Hopefully, she and Ashley would still be in touch, and she would be able to tell me something about where she could have gone or whom she could be with.I didn't have Andrea’s number, but I could easily get it. I pulled out my phone immediately and called my assistant. She sounded surprised to hear from me, no doubt because I never called her outside of work hours."Hello, get me Andrea's number, please," I said without preamble.There was a brief pause as she wondered if she had heard right. "Sir?" "You remember the intern Andrea, who worked with us a few months ago? I need her number now. Please treat it as urgent," I told her."Of course, sir. I'll do that right away," she responded quickly.I ended the call and then began to pace agitatedly. Less than two minutes later, my phone dinged, signaling that a text had come in
Jeff’s POV“What do you mean she hasn't come in? Ashley is always one of the first people to come in to work every day."“Yes, sir, I am surprised too, but she didn't show up this morning, and she didn’t leave word that she wasn’t coming in. Also, I haven't been able to reach her. Her phone has been off all morning, although she did tell me that she wouldn't be coming to work yesterday because she took yesterday off," she replied.The words caused my chest to tighten. Had I chased Ashley away without meaning to? Her assistant continued talking."Do you want me to give her a message when I finally can reach her, or if she comes in later, sir?""Yes, please. When she does come in, tell her to come see me in my office, and if she calls or if you manage to reach her on the phone, please let me know."“I will, sir."I walked back to my office, my mind already thinking of different scenarios that would explain Ashley’s unreported absence. It seemed like I was right about Ashley regretting e
Jeff’s POVBy the time I get into Ashley’s room, I find it empty. The bed is untouched, and the lights are off. Her phone is lying on the nightstand, but there's no one in the room.I let out a breath that I didn’t even know I was holding, irritation flooding my entire being. Of course, what was I
Ashley’s POVMiller Fashion House is one of the most reputable fashion design companies in the country.Some people argue that it is second only to Jeff’s company, while others believe that Claire’s father’s company is bigger and more successful, placing Miller Fashion House in third position in th
Ashley’s POVClaire is holding a phone, which she was operating seconds ago, just before my tablet went off.While I’m not the most tech-savvy person on the planet to be able to guess exactly what she did on the phone, I know for a fact that whatever she did on it caused the glitch on my tablet.Sh
Jeff’s POVThe following morning came soon enough, and even though we all slept in because we didn’t have to go out early, I didn’t feel well-rested after I woke up.The sound of Ashley’s cracked and desperate voice, begging someone in her dreams for mercy, remained firmly lodged in my head through







