Chapter 5: Lost
Chapter 3: Lost
As dawn approached, Ashley rose, restless. Haunted by nightmares of Christian and Kayla in their former matrimonial bed, she couldn't sleep. Every time she shut her eyes, the images crept in.
Her hands instinctively went to her stomach, imagining the tiny life growing inside, and her eyes watered.
"Your dad may not want you, but I do," Ashley whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "This may not be the best moment, but you're the best thing that has happened to mummy in a very long time, and I'm going to protect you with everything I have." Tears fell freely as she spoke.
Christian's orders echoed in her mind, reminding her of how obedient she still was to him. Perhaps it was the reason he hated her—she had never dared to defy or challenge his authority, unlike Kayla.
Last night had been no different. She had retreated to the guest room as he demanded, though the real reason was harder to admit. Fear for her safety was only part of it, but the shameful truth was that she still held onto the hope that Christian might change his mind about them.
Frustrated, Ashley hurled a pillow across the room, shattering a flower vase on the mirror stand.
"Ahhh!" She crouched down, crying, the pain still fresh, and she felt as if she were drowning.
A knock on the door jolted her from her thoughts, and she scrambled back to her feet, hastily wiping her tears, composing herself.
The knock came again, more insistent this time. She opened the door to find Christian standing there, his eyes scanning the room. Her surprise quickly turned to anger.
"What was that sound?" he asked, his gaze flicking over her shoulder.