27
Austin’s brows furrowed deeply “Cancer?” he repeated, his voice filled with disbelief as his face darkened. Then he grabbed my hande holding himself back packin–3 WHO GRA
please don’t joke like this, with your life”
My lips parted and looked at him senously
He took a deep breath, titing his head “Are you for real?
Sighing I nodded
He stood up abruptly pacing back and forth before he asked, “How is that even possible? You’re so young Ashley”
He ran a hand through his hair, his face was a mixture of confusion and sadness “How long have you known
this??
“Notlong”
That means you knew for sometimes Why didn’t you tell us sooner? You’ve been dealing with this alone? f Asher didn’t take me here today, would you have even let us know?
I looked away my hands twisting in my lap. ” didn’t want to worry anyone Especially not mom and dad”
“Keeping it from them is not the best option,” Austin shook his head but I held his shoulders
“I know *shrugged my shoulders, “They are now old. I don’t want to give them a shock, and make them
stressed Please don’t tell them, Austin
Austin’s jaw tightened, but after a long pause, he let out a heavy sigh and his eyes softened “Alright I won’t tell them for now But you have to tell them eventually, Ashley They are your parents, and they love you a lot.”
“I will,” I said softly, nodding just need some time to figure out how to say it”
He studied me for a moment longer, his face was still filled with worry still but he finally let out a sigh. is it because you’re worried about what happened back then?
I became silent when I heard him let out a sigh.
“They’re long over it.” After pausing for a minute, he added, “Fine. But promise me you won’t keep them in the
dark for long”
“I promise.” I said, my voice barely above a whisper
Austin stood and pulled me into another hug, his arms strong and comforting. “You don’t have to do this alone, Ashley Whatever you need, I’m here.”
My lips trembled. I missed this warmth so much. I held back my tears and tightened my grasp around him. I
didn’t want to let go of him again
“it’s going to be fine, it’s going to be fine, princess. Don’t worry.”
I shook my head on his shoulder, the tears threatening to return but staying at the corner of my eyes and just
there
How did I even get here? Why would so many bad things happen so quickly to me?
“Don’t cry anymore,” Austin said as he pulled back to look at my face. “You will be fine.” He assured me
I let him go, and nodded Yes, everything would be fine again.
Then, his expression suddenly hardened. “And as for Ace… I’ll handle him. He’s not getting away with this ”
I shook my head instantly “Don’t.”
Austin frowned, and grabbed my arms gently “Do you still care about that bastard, princess? That scumbag betrayed you, and left you alone while you’re going through all of this. He doesn’t deserve you, and to be a father!”
I shook my head again. “It’s not that I care about him. It’s because I don’t care about him. I have given up on him And, now, I just want the divorce to go smoothly”
Austin hesitated, “Are you sure that you’ve moved on?” he asked quietly
“I haven’t moved on yet” I said, confirming “But all the feelings I had for him are now gone. Please Austin, don’t make things complicated at this moment, I know you want to get back at him for me, but it’s not going to help”
His shoulders relaxed slightly, though his worry didn’t fully fade. “Alright. But if he gives you any
trouble–any
trouble–you tell me. Got it? Any trouble at all I’m saying
“Got it”
Austin smiled, grabbed his coat and headed for the door. “I’ll check in with you tomorrow,” he said, pausing in the doorway. “And, be happy, princess. Let me know if anyone bothers you. Also, you can stay here. It’s safe.”
“I will,” I promised
After he left, I went back to the couch, and suddenly, I missed Austin again.
Honestly, meeting him, made many things off my chest. And, it felt warm, knowing that I still had many people
caring for me
“He left already “I flinched, hearing a sudden voice behind me.
It was Asher. He had returned.
“Hmm…”
He was going to go back to his room when I grabbed his arm. “Did you help me like this because of Aystin? Only
this makes sense.”
Asher shrugged, smirking. “You could think so if it makes you feel better.”
His nonchalant tone annoyed me, but before I could press further, he straightened up and took a few steps
closer
“But, I want to see you divorced.”
My eyebrows slanted, visibly puzzled as I searched his face for any hint of an explanation. But he simply kept an expressionless face.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Goodnight, Ashley”
I stood there, frozen, his words echoing in my mind. “I want to see you divorced.”
What did he mean by that?
That night, as I lay in bed, his words replayed over and over in my head.
What did he mean by that? Why would he want to see me divorced?
I didn’t understand why he meant but one thing I realized was that it made my heart throb strangely. Why was i
feeling this way?
