8
00
Ryan came to the Smith house again a week
later. Other than the fact that they weren’t
married, he and Amy were no different from a
regular couple.
They were incredibly close. If this had
happened before, I would have made a scene.
Amy had taken my gifts, my house, even my
family’s love. And now she was trying to take
the person I’d loved for so long. Even the
most generous person has their limits.
く
But now that it was actually happening, I
suddenly felt calm like never before.
I just didn’t know why Ryan kept glancing at
me, then looking away as soon as I made eye
contact, like he’d seen something disgusting.
After they went upstairs, I got a message
from Amy.
“Ashley, I know where Grandma is. Come
upstairs. I’ll tell you quietly, so Mom and Dad
don’t find out.”
I was silent for a moment. I knew she couldn’t
be that kind, but I still chose to go upstairs.
<
Chapter 2
If I didn’t get to see Grandma, it would be the
biggest regret of my life.
The bedroom door wasn’t closed. Amy wasn’t
there. Just that familiar back, sitting on the
edge of the bed, drying his hair.
“Who told you to come in here?”
Ryan stood up, his big body looming over me. It brought back all those awful memories of
the mercenaries.
“S–sorry, I…”
<
The next second, Ryan had me pinned against
the wall.
His fingers traced my cheeks. My stomach.
churned with nausea.
I struggled, trying to pull away, but the more I
fought, the darker his expression got.
“Are you really this scared of me?”
“Let me go, I’m sorry! I’m sorry…”
Ryan didn’t seem to hear me. “Don’t play dumb, Ashley. You used to love it when I did this, remember? Huh?”
く
His voice was mocking. He leaned in, like he
was going to kiss me.
“No! Please… I’m begging you!”
I tried to keep my voice from shaking, shaking
my head out of control.
He stopped, his eyes impatient.
“Weren’t you the one who came looking for
this? I don’t have the time to play these little
games with you. Be good, cooperate, and I’ll
let you go.”
