All Chapters of TWISTED AFFAIR: Chapter 171 - Chapter 176

MICHEAL'S POV As soon as Ashley left, the house was anything but quiet. Dax and Liam were at it again—arguing, teasing, throwing harmless insults across the room while pretending to hang the curtains and fix the lights. Both of them turned a simple renovation into a full-blown competition, and this time, the goal was ridiculous: let's see whose design Ashley would love the most.I barely listened. My focus drifted in and out, caught between the hammering of nails and echoing of her laughter in my head. The questions keep going through my head. Was she in a good mood now? Has she eaten? Did she drink enough water? I knew I'd already called her three times since she left, but it didn't stop me from reaching for my phone again. It wasn't an obsession. I'm just worried. I just needed to make sure she's okay.Before I could dial her line, the phone buzzed in my hand.Kate.The name alone twisted something in my chest. I ignored it and shoved the phone back into my pocket. But it rang ag

ASHLEY'S POV I was on my phone, chatting with Sophie and Jade, trying to distract myself from the ache sitting heavy in my chest. My eyes were swollen from crying, my head pounding from too much thinking and too little sleep.Then I heard it…Knock, Knock, Knock.I froze.“Ash, please. I know you're in there. Open up. I need to talk to you. It's really important.”That voice.Austin?My stomach tightened. Since I saw that photo of Michael with his ex wife, I'd shut everyone out. I didn't want to talk or even breathe near anyone who'd remind me of him. The only people who knew where I was were my Dad, Sophie, Jade and Austin.I knew Micheal might end up coming here soon, which is why I had to threaten my Dad and made him promise not to let him in.He knocked again, louder this time. “Ashley, please.”I sighed, dragging myself off the bed. I unlocked the door and saw him staring down at me with worry in his eyes. “Can I come in?” He asked. “Please, it's important.”I stepped aside fo

ASHLEY'S POV I didn't sleep much last night. I tried—God knows I tried—but my mind wouldn't stop replaying the look on Micheal’s face when he walked out. That silence. That heavy, bitter silence that says you've disappointed me more than I can say. I cried until my throat hurt. And when the tears ran out, I just laid there in the dark, staring at the spot on the bed where he usually slept.It's cold. Empty. It's crazy how fast warmth can vanish when love turns into silence.And now I finally understand what he must've felt every time I pushed him away, every time I shut him out, thinking I was doing the right thing. Maybe this is my punishment—to finally know what it's like to be on the receiving end.But still, none of this would've happened if it weren't for her. Kate.That woman had been nothing but trouble since she reappeared. She keeps pretending to be remorseful, pretending she wanted to fix things. I should've known better. I should've trusted my guts.When I glanced at the