October 1 2001

Ashley was seen laying her head on Desmond's shoulder as Crowe was holding her hand and was thinking about what had happened. He really couldn't wait for Jane and Anastasia to come home and speak to them, He really hated seeing Ashley cry and wanted to fix this.

The time was four thirty-five p.m. As Desmond was looking at Ashley, who was staring at the wall before Desmond touched her cheek as Ashley looked at him.

Both of them silently looked at each other as Crowe wanted to ask her a question.

Desmond: Be honest with me, Ashley.

Ashley nodded and was curious about what he wanted to say as Desmond took a deep breath and spoke to her.

Desmond: How long has this been going?

Ashley: What?

Desmond: Did Anastasia ever get angry at you before?

Ashley felt like she wanted to tell Desmond everything about Anastasia and Jane, how they would talk trash behind her back and would be rude to her, but at the same time, Ashley was scared to tell Desmond about it as Fliehr was looking at him.

Ashley: I don't know how to say this-

Suddenly, the door opened as Desmond and Ashley turned around to see Monica and Danielle as Crowe and Fliehr immediately got up and looked at them.

Danielle: Hey, Ash. How are you feeling?

Ashley: I'm okay.

Monica: Alex and Chris are really angry right now, They are just waiting for Anastasia and Jane to show up.

Desmond: Where is Dad, though?

Danielle: Somewhat before the argument, he wanted to take a nap,  I think he should wake up now.

Monica was about to say something until they heard the front door opening as everyone looked at each other and knew Anastasia and Jane arrived at home.

Monica: I guess they arrived now.

Desmond: Come on, let's go downstairs.

They nodded and immediately left the room, but Ashley was hesitating and felt a bit worried to face them, Desmond noticed she was standing as Crowe grabbed her hand and looked at her.

Desmond: Come on, Let's go.

Ashley; I'm a bit worried, Desmond.

Desmond: I'm here for you, Love. There is nothing to be worried about.

Ashley felt her heart beating fast as she decided to follow him as both of them made it downstairs and walked to the living room, Anastasia and Jane were sorting at the groceries while Alex and Chris were seen standing in the living room while waiting for them.

Soon, Anastasia and Jane arrived at the living room and saw the group as they stood and stared at them as Jane said something.

Jane: Is everything okay-

Alex: Shut up, don't talk sweet like you, and your daughter didn't do anything.

Jane and Anastasia gasped in shock but Ana felt a bit nervous and knew Alex was still angry at her after what she did at the kitchen.

Desmond: Anastasia, What is going on? What did you do?

Anastasia and Jane were silent as Crowe felt a bit upset and spoke again.

Desmond: I need an answer, Now.

Chris: Who gave you the right to speak to Ashley like that? Do you really think she's a maid!?

Alex: *Looks at Jane* Did you not teach your daughter any manners!?

Jane: Wait, wait, let's calm down-

Chris: There is no calming down! Your daughter needs to give us an explanation.

Desmond: Anastasia, Speak to us.

Anastasia: You misunderstood what I said, I didn't mean to hurt her. The plate was expensive, and I just told Ashley to be more careful next time.

Chris: Really? You started this over a plate!? Have some shame!

Jane: Chris, Don't speak like that, She's being honest-

Alex: Shut up, Who told you to speak!?

Chris: You're just trying to defend your daughter, Huh? I get it, Every mother does that, but when you realise what she did wrong, you're gonna need to teach her a lesson.

Anastasia: I don't like drama, and I don't want to cause any drama, I forgive Ashley-

Alex: Stop with your manipulation! I thought after marriage you would be more mature instead of your being a liar while eating your husband's money!

Anastasia and Jane were shocked as Alex and Chris looked really angry, Desmond was glaring at Ana and Jane as he couldn't believe what he was hearing. Danielle and Monica were listening to them while Ashley was staring at Ana and Jane.

Danielle: Guys! Wait, There is something I have to say.

Chris and Alex looked at her as Danielle glared at Anastasia before speaking to them.

Danielle; I'm been overhearing Ana and Jane saying that Ashley only married Desmond for his money.

Ana and Jane looked shocked as Alex and Chris gritted their teeth, Desmond stared in shock as Ashley was looking at Crowe.

Monica: I heard it many times! They even said that Ashley is too lazy and doesn't know how to handle the house!

Alex: What do you two do? Since you came here, All you're doing is yapping with your mom while watching TV, and Ashley over here cooks breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner!

Chris: And she cleans the house and makes sure to check on the garden, Tell me, what good do you do!?

Anastasia and Jane were silent and felt a bit startled as Desmond was holding his head as Monica looked at him and spoke to Desmond.

Monica; I'm sorry, Desmond, but this is the truth.

Danielle: We seen it, and we heard it!

Ashley: I didn't want to hurt your feelings, Desmond.

Anastasia and Jane were sweating as Ashley was staring at the mother and daughter duo, Desmond looked at Ashley before glaring at Ana and Jane.

Alex: I think you don't know Ash's worth, The only thing you care about is money. The same goes for you, Jane! You two are nothing but cowards and hide behind those dollars!

Chris: I bet your ego is bigger than your bank account.

Ana and Jane had no words as Desmond walked away, glaring at his sister and mother as the argument was getting more intense.

Alex: Starting from tomorrow, I want you two to be helping Ashley with the choruses.

Jane: What-

Alex: You heard me! Actually, I know something more better, Ashley can have a break from choruses and you two will be doing the choruses!

Ashley looked at Alex in shock as Ana and Jane were shocked and looked at each other as Chris said something.

Chris: What's the matter? Where did all that power go?

Anastasia and Jane were silent as Ashley felt satisfied from the inside until Ana said something.

Anastasia: I'm really sorry. . . . I should not have done that.

Jane: I was just worried about my son. . . .

Monica: If you were worried, then why did you decide to pick Ashley?

Alex: You're sorry is not gonna change anything! What are you even teaching your daughter!?

Chris: Has your parents teached you anything, Jane!?

Alex: If this wasn't your house, I wouldn't hesitate kicking you both out!!!!

Alex yelled at them as Anastasia and Jane were scared as they looked at Chris, who was glaring at them, until Monica grabbed Alex's hand while Danielle ran to Chris.

Monica: Hey, Hey. . . It's okay.

Alex took a deep breath as Ana and Jane looked at Ashley, who was just staring at them.

Jane: Ashley. . . Honey, I'm sorry.

Ashley was silent until Alex and Chris walked towards Fliehr as she was confused and looked at them.

Alex: Ashley, You trust me right?

Ashley: Yes I do.

Chris: And you trust me, right?

Ashley: I do.

Alex: *Points at Jane and Anastasia* If these mannerless, lazy, and cowards ever raised their voice at you or hurt your feelings, You better call me and I'll put them in their place!

Ana and Jane were nervous as Ashley was staring at Alex before Johnson said something.

Chris: And if Alex is not available, You can call me and even if I'm not available. You got Monica or Danielle to call.

Ashley silently shook her head and stared at them as Alex and Chris glared at Ana and Jane and told them to leave as both of them silently walked away, Chris and Alex walked away as well as Ashley was staring at the ground before Monica and Danielle comforted her.

Danielle: Hey, It's alright. At least we teached them a lesson.

Ashley: Yeah. . . Your right.

Ashley was thinking about everything as she sighed to herself, Monica patted her back and said something.

Monica: Get some rest, Ashley. How about we go outside for a little bit?

Ashley: I want to check on Desmond before then.

Danielle: I suggest we give him a break, Don't worry. You can talk to him after sometime.

Monica: He looks angry, Let's give him some time before speaking to him.

Ashley nodded as the girls left the house and were talking about what happened but Ashley was thinking about Desmond as she continued listening to Danielle and Monica.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading and stay strong!!! :)