Ashley’s POV

Mom’s trip to London went to waste. The new owner of our company who also happened to be my father’s best friend refused to acknowledge anything.

If only he knew.

There was no sane solution to this problem.

Except for one.

“Tell him the truth.” I looked at my mom solemnly. “There is no other option.”

“Ashley!” Mom warned as calmly as possible.

This was not the first discussion. We were going in circles with the same thing ever since they returned from London.

“I am saying this for the last time.” She stood up. “Don’t ever mention that night. Ever again. Do you hear me?” Her voice rose another notch. “That night–I almost lost you too. I will not go through anything like that again.”

“But,”

“Enough, Ashley. Just shut up.” she raised her hand to stop me from saying any more. “Never a word again, do you hear me?”

“Do you think it is that easy for me to just forget about it?” I stood up as well.

I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Have you any idea what this ‘never talk about that night’ has done to me? Do you know what it is still doing to me?” I yelled at her.

“Ash,” Fey put a hand on my shoulder but I shook her off.

“I was there,” my voice shook. “I was–I saw it all happen in front of my eyes and you want me to just forget about it like some bad dream.”

She looked at me with a pained expression.

“I can never forget about it,” I whispered hoarsely. “The screams of that night still echo in my ears.”

“Where are you going?” Fey yelled after me when I stormed out of the living room. “Ash!”

“Don’t come after me” I banged the door loudly on my way out.

Always the same. She never listens to me. Never listened to me back then.

If only she had.

I started running wildly.

I wanted to scream my lungs out.

All the anger, the pain, and the frustrations.

“Goddamn,” I yelled angrily.

I hiked up the trail toward the rugged mountain top.

I didn’t want to go back right now. I would end up fighting with mom and opening up old wounds.

It was almost seven in the evening and the weather was not in the least bit favourable. It could rain any minute or snow.

I could care less.

I walked towards the edge but not too close once I reached the top and looked over the town.

How small and unreachable!

My stretched arm fell by my side animatedly.

“I wasn’t expecting to meet you here out of all the places.”

I whirled around in shock.

There were ten men behind me and all in suits.

“Don’t be afraid.” One of them stepped forward. “We are not here to harm.”

He seemed to be in his late twenties, around the same age as Nathaniel.

Blonde hair, green eyes, a handsome face, and a tall and strong build.

He didn’t seem friendly.

“We won’t harm you” he raised his hands. “In fact” he took a careful step toward me. “Your life is too precious for us. You are the only witness to the incident.”

A chill ran down my spine at what he said.

“What are you talking about?” My attempt to play dumb made him chuckle.

“Playing ignorant, are we?” He mused darkly. “I heard you played the same card with Nathaniel Rothschild. I am amazed he has let you off the hook so far. You should have been dead multiple times by now.”

Dead multiple times?

“I wonder what he is up to,” He watched me keenly. “I wonder what is stopping him?”

“You have seen it, haven’t you?” He continued ascending towards me leisurely. “The true monster that he is.” He stopped and tilted his head slightly to the side. “You have no idea how vile, ruthless, and despicable that man is. He has nothing but blood on his hands.”

His every word invoked a new fear in me.

“You know what he does to his victims?” He asked me in a hushed tone. “He plays with them. He twists them around until they beg for death. He breaks more than just a body, little one. He breaks his prey emotionally and mentally first.”

The memory of the pit flashed before my eyes.

“Nathaniel Rothschild lives for blood and breathes to kill.”

“Ki-ll?” I stuttered.

“Yes,” He picked a lock of my hair and twisted it around his finger. “He feels no remorse toward his actions.”

My breath hitched when I saw a gun at his waistline. His eyes followed my line of vision and he gave me a Cheshire smile.

“Apologies” he pulled his jacket to cover it. “But we can never be too careful.”

“I don’t–”

Something about this man is not right.

“You sent those officers to my home,” I said dryly. “You are just like him. You want to use me to your advantage.”

He did not even try to hide the obvious.

“Why are you coming after me instead of going to the police yourself?”

“There is no point in doing so,” He said offhandedly. “No one can raise their heads to them. We, especially.”

“Then stop dragging me in your affairs as well.” I pushed past him to leave.

“You should not be saying this after knowing.” He said after me. “What?” he chuckled. “You don’t know?”

“Yes, I don’t know and I don’t want to know,” I said flatly and turned to leave again.

He stepped in front of me. This time with anger instead of amusement in his eyes.

“You seriously don’t know or are you just pretending?”

“What is with you psychos?” I glared at him. “I honestly don’t know and I seriously don’t want to know,” I said in annoyance. “You and that Rothschild and who else, just keep your bull to yourself.”

“I’m sick of your questions. It is pissing me off now. Leave me alone.” I yelled at him. “Just leave me alone.”

“I am Raymond Whitlock” he extended his hand toward me.

This prick!

He lowered his hand when I refused to accept his greeting.

“You will be seeing me from now onward a lot.”

I just snorted in response.

“I see,” he muttered inaudibly, “I hope you are intelligent, Ashley.” He stepped away to let me pass. “Join hands with me while you still have the chance because trust me when I tell you this,” his expression darkened. “Nothing can save you from Nathaniel Rothschild once he made his move.”

I was so done with all of them.

“You cannot escape, Ashley,” Raymond yelled after me when I ran away. “You don’t know where you are caught. You would never want to know and you would never want to let him have you if you knew.”

I covered my ears.

I don’t want to hear anymore.

“So, run and hide while you still can. Because once you are tangled in the web of that demon, he won’t let you escape.”

*****

“Ash?” I looked at my mom. “Are you done with your packing?” She came inside my room.

“Yes,” I couldn’t bring myself to meet her eyes when she sat in front of me. “I am so sorry, mom.”

“Sorry?” She asked, amused.

I just hugged her tightly.

“I’m sorry, mom” I mumbled into her shoulder. “I am so sorry.”

“I am not angry,” she patted my back. “You know I can never be angry at you.” She pulled away and palmed my cheek lovingly. “I understand your pain but you need to understand my fears.”

I gripped her hand on my cheek.

“I know that night still haunts you,” her voice shook. “It haunts me too. I am afraid of them appearing at my door again.”

I saw the terror in her eyes.

“You need to understand. You need to understand why your father did all that.”

“I know,” I said breathlessly. “I just can’t...forget it.” I choked on the words.

“You have to,” mom said firmly. “You need to forget it, Ashley. You have to keep moving forward.” I looked at her desperately. “No one can know what truly happened the night your father died.”

“How will you handle everything alone?”

“I will sort out everything.” She said firmly. “No one will harm my children at my watch.”

“Don’t get hurt” I hugged her again. “Please be safe.”

“You too,” mom patted my back. “Your mom is always with you.” I just nodded. “What is your departure time?” She inquired after pulling away from me.

“In one hour,” I told her.

“Do you want us to come?”

“I won’t be able to leave if you did. Besides, I am a grown-up now.” I grinned at her.

“Of course, you are” mom touched my chin affectionately. “I am proud of you, for everything that you are.”

“Your cab is here” Sam yelled from downstairs. “I have placed your bag. You are all set to go.”

I looked at mom. She nodded and we went downstairs.

“You are leaving,” Fey hugged me. “I miss you already.”

“Me too” I hugged her back. “Good luck with your college prep.”

“Yours ending and mine is beginning,” I chuckled when she whistled. “Just keep doing your best, okay? To the very end.”

We hugged each other again.

“Come visit me sometime.”

“I will,” Fey replied.

“Okay,” Sam pulled us apart. “Enough soap for a lifetime.” We glared at him halfheartedly. “You take care of yourself, Ash” Sam hugged me.

“You take care of them, okay?” He nodded and let go of me. “Goodbye,” I stepped out of the main door and went to the cab.

My heart felt heavy.

I stopped and looked back at my home. My family.

I kept looking back until they were completely out of my sight.

“Everything is fine.” I breathed out deeply. “Nothing is going to happen.”

*****

I messaged Marie my arrival time and picked up my bag to board the train.

Someone blocked my path.

“Good evening, Ms. Belford,” he greeted.

I remembered him. He always accompanied Nathaniel everywhere.

His name was Marco.

“I am here to escort you.” My bag fell from my shoulder. “Please,” he took my phone from me and motioned his men to take my bags. “It would be in your best interest to come without creating any commotion.”

I refused to move.

“Your family is going to suffer.” A bolt of electricity shot through me. “If you refuse to listen any longer.”

“What–”

“This way,” he extended his arm for me.

I didn’t fight him when he grabbed my arm and led me to his car.

My senses refused to work altogether.

My family. He is going to hurt my family.

“Keep a lookout,” Marco ordered his men and took me out of the car.

I had no idea where they brought me.

Marco dragged me inside the tall building and took me to an empty hall.

It was barely lit.

There was nothing in there but a curved staircase and tall thick dark curtains hanging down from the ceiling around the columns.

They were hiding something horrendous behind them.

I started hyperventilating when his heavy footsteps echoed through the silence. I looked toward the staircase just in time to see him coming down leisurely.

Like a predator moving toward his cornered prey.

I couldn’t control the trembling of my body when Nathaniel came and stood in front of me.

“Look what the cat dragged in,” he mused viciously. “I was waiting, princess,” Nathaniel whispered dangerously. “Where were you going without giving me an answer?”

I kept looking at him mutely.

“Why did you have to test my patience?” I closed my eyes when he moved closer to me. “I told you, didn’t I?” he whispered in my ear.

I was scared shitless of his presence right now.

It was stifling.

It reeked of evil, something I never felt in his presence before.

“My fam-ily–”

Nathaniel gripped my neck in a brutal hold. His gaze was full of disdain as he choked me to death.

“You never learn, do you?” Nathaniel smirked at my pained expression.

I kept pushing at his hand fruitlessly.

“Le-t go,” I choked.

“You think you or your mother hold any power to fight me?” I fell to the floor when Nathaniel let go of me roughly. “I find your naivety amusing, princess.”

His eyes were livid.

He looked like a devil right now.

I shrank back when Nathaniel crouched before me.

“You still bear that look in your eyes,” He growled.

I shut my eyes tightly when he raised his hand.

“Such innocence!” Nathaniel caressed my cheek with the back of his hand. I whimpered when he gripped my jaw painfully. “Disgusting.”

“Let them go,” I cried out in pain when his grip became deadly on my jaw. “I didn’t tell anyone. I swear. Why don’t you trust me?”

“Trust you?” Nathaniel sneered. “What audacity!” He shoved me back and stood to his full height.

I pushed myself off the ground and stood in front of him.

Enough is enough.

“I don’t care either,” I said breathlessly. “But you cannot do this to us. We did you no wrong.” I yelled at him. “Leave us alone. We got nothing to do with you.”

I pushed at his hand when he gripped my neck again.

“You will have everything to do with me now” Nathaniel snarled in my face. “You should not have done that.”

“What–” I choked.

“Marco!” Nathaniel boomed angrily. “You are so going to love this, princess” he rubbed his cheek against mine while whispering in my ear.

He turned me in his hold and locked his arm around my neck. My eyes widened in horror when those curtains fell.

There were three gigantic glass containers and my family was in each one of them.

“Mom!” I screamed. “No!” I pushed at Nathaniel’s arm to break free.

“Lovely, isn’t it?” Nathaniel murmured in my ear. “I prepared it, especially for you.”

“Let them go.” My eyes teared up. “Please, let them go.”

“Ash!” Mom started thrashing against the glass when she saw me.

“Please!” I pleaded. “It’s just me. They know nothing.” I cried loudly. “They are innocent. Don’t hurt them, please.”

“I love it when you beg me, princess.” Nathaniel chuckled darkly.

He forced me to face him and pinched my chin to keep me from looking down.

“I gave your mother three choices, didn’t I? Why didn’t she pick one?” His expression became feral. “She decided to stand against me.”

“No,” I shook my head.

“No, no, no,” he cradled my face in his palms. “Not yet, princess. We are just beginning.”

“I am sorry. Please, I am really sorry. It was all my fault. Everything’s my fault. I should not have angered you.” More tears rolled down my cheeks. “Please–”

“You should have thought about it before meeting my enemies,” Nathaniel said darkly. “You decided to work with them.”

“No,” I was stumped. “I did nothing of that sort.” I kept shaking my head. “It’s a misunderstanding. I didn’t–”

“Your time is up.” Nathaniel cut me sharply. “Now I will decide and you will act.”

“I will do whatever you say,” I said quickly. “Anything. I will do everything.” I sobbed. “Just let my family go.”

I lowered my eyes when he eyed me mockingly.

I was ready to swallow my pride.

For my family.

“Anything?” Nathaniel mused.

“Anything,” I replied in defeat.

I didn’t fight him when he grabbed my shoulders and pulled me closer. I kept my gaze on the floor when he wiped my cheek and caressed it toward my ear.

I closed my eyes when his face leaned toward mine.

“Marry me,” Nathaniel whispered in my ear.

I was rooted on the spot.

This is a nightmare. I refuse to believe it.

“I can’t,” I murmured. I looked at him fearfully when he pulled back. There was an untamed rage in his eyes. “I–”

Nathaniel pressed his gun on my lips.

“Are you sure?” He affirmed. “I see,” He turned away when I didn’t respond.

The containers!

They started filling with water.

“No!” I screamed and ran toward my mom. “Mom!” I banged my fists against the glass. “Fey!” I moved to her container. She was pushing and struggling to breathe. “No, please, no! Sam!”

The containers were full to their necks.

“Please. Please. Please” I slid to the floor and banged my head against the glass.

“There are these little creatures that I adore so much.”

His voice cut me like blades.

“It’s fascinating to watch them tear through human flesh in a matter of seconds. They leave behind nothing. So small yet so dangerous” Nathaniel wondered.

“No!” I shuffled to my feet and ran to him. “No, please. I beg you, don’t do this.” I fell to his knees.

This is too cruel.

“I am sorry. I will do whatever you say. I promise. Don’t hurt them. Don’t hurt my family. Please.”

Nathaniel grabbed my shoulders and pulled me up roughly. I didn’t dare to raise my head. The little of my pride or whatever was left of it was not allowing me to look at this monster.

“You could have saved yourself from all this misery.” Nathaniel forced my chin up gently. “Nevertheless,” He whispered darkly. “You are where you should be.”

I sobbed loudly.

“I just wanted to sleep with you but no,” Nathaniel pulled me flush against him. “You had to act up.” I shuddered when he buried his head in my neck.

His breath burnt my flesh.

“You slapped me.” Nathaniel grabbed a fistful of my hair and pulled my head back roughly. “But fate had other plans for you” he chuckled darkly.

“I told you, didn’t I?” He looked directly into my eyes. “I always get what I want,” he smirked when I sobbed. “Look forward to what is coming your way, love.”

I didn’t fight him when he dragged me out of there. There was no point in putting up any sort of resistance.

Nathaniel dragged me out of the hall and to another one.

It resembled a church but it was not.

My heart pounded against my ribcage when he dragged me toward the priest.

“Before you have second thoughts,” Nathaniel pointed his gun toward the doors.

A fresh wave of tears pooled my eyes when I saw my family.

Marco and his men had their guns pointed at them.

The priest started the wedding ceremony. I just stood numbly through it.

“Do you take Nathaniel Rothschild as your lawfully wedded husband?”

I looked toward my family helplessly.

I could do nothing.

“I do.” A single tear slipped my left eye.

The priest repeated the same vows for Nathaniel.

He answered in a heartbeat.

“Bring the rings.” His underling brought a velvet cushion-tray.

Nathaniel picked one and slid it on my finger.

It was an antique blood-stoned ring with a dragon crest on the band. I had never seen the stone before or such a design.

I picked mine and slid it on his finger with shaking hands.

We signed the certificate and my whole world finally crumbled down.

“You may now kiss the bride.”

I looked at Nathaniel fearfully when he gripped my nape.

“Not everyone get to marry a prince charming or a knight in shining armor, princess,” He said dangerously. “Some have demons like me written in their fate.”

He smashed his lips on mine roughly and kissed me until he felt satisfied.

“Safe them, princess.” Nathaniel wiped my cheeks with his free hand.

My vision blurred and I fell against him when the last of my strength left my body.

I wanted to wake up from this nightmare now.