Chapter 96
ASHAL
I have not been able to think of anything else. After I listened to what Cree and Ashton had been keeping from me at the hotel, I was at a loss for words. I know father has his faults and sucks at being a loving parent but I just can’t believe he can be so callous and evil. Everything Cree had explained regarding my biological parents made father out to be a coldhearted killer and selfish home wrecker. I just couldn’t believe it.
That day, I lurched to my feet and scratched my head.
"There has to be a misunderstanding. The man you’re describing can’t be father. Tell her, Ash. Tell her she’s dead wrong and needs to check her facts." But Ashton only came to stand next to me with a forlorn look. "Don’t tell me you believe that crap hook, line and sinker. You said it yourself that it was a bad idea to ever listen to her and that she was messing with your head. LOOK AT HER. She has no reason to help us. She clearly bears a grudge against us for all the inconvenience we’ve caused her. SHE’S GOT TO BE LYING." I barked angrily.
"Calm down, Ashal."
"No, don’t expect me to calm down. She literally just defamed father. She has no right to speak so ill of him."
Cree surged to her feet. "I think I should return to work."
"Who the hell is your source?" I quizzed her before she could turn around and return to the bar. "Why can’t you drop his name? See Ashton? You can’t go about trusting everything people tell you without hard proof. You should know better. We have a lot of haters. People come up with the craziest lies nowadays to tear the fabric of our familial relationship just for the satisfaction of seeing us crash and burn."
"Okay, I’m leaving." Cree echoed and turned on her heels. I beat her to the door and watched her eyes flare up in anger. "Look, you asked me what I know and I told you. You don’t believe me? Fine. Continue living in your false sense of truth. Can I reveal my source? No! Is he legit? Damn right he is. If not now, the truth of everything I have just said will be revealed some day and you will remember this every moment here when you blocked my path because you’re in denial."
I couldn’t believe her guts. Then again, I did because she’s Cree. Behind her, Ashton streaked his hand over his blond mane and sighed softly.
"You will not repeat this horse shit to anyone else! If I catch a whiff of these unfounded lies from anyone else, you’ll come to know a side of me that no woman wants to meet in her lifetime. HAVE I MADE MYSELF CLEAR, CREE BAXTER?"