2025-02-04 23:49:45A Scorned Man
Ashton’s heart pounded as his eyes locked onto the scene before him and in that moment, the reality of what he was witnessing shattered his entire world.
Zoe, his girlfriend, the woman he had adored for the past three years, was entwined in the arms of another man. She wasn’t just in bed with him, she was naked, fully engaged, laughing and moaning in a way that felt like a slap in Ashton’s face.
“When will your loser boyfriend be back?" The man asked, still not aware of his presence.
Zoe moaned loudly, “Let's not talk about him."
Ashton hissed. He'd seen enough. He'd heard enough.
Zoe gasped at the sound of his voice, she looked over, and her eyes widened in shock when she saw Ashton standing there, frozen in the doorway with cake plastered on the floor.
For a brief moment, everything seemed to pause and then, the panic set in.
Zoe scrambled to cover herself with the sheets, her face pale as she threw the pillow on the naked man beside her.
“Ashton… I can explain—” her voice was desperate.
“Explain?” Ashton’s voice broke as he stepped into the room, his fists clenching at his sides.
“It's not what you think, Ashton."
But he couldn't hear her words or pleas. His eyes were fixed on her glistening flesh.
Her skin was covered in sweat. The way her body was wrapped over the strange man.
Ashton couldn't believe the sight. Zoe was perfect. Their love was perfect. Or so he'd believed. “That you’re sleeping with another man?”
Zoe’s eyes were filled with fear now, but Ashton couldn’t bring himself to care. Every word she said felt like a betrayal, every look she gave was only a reminder of the lies she’d been telling him.
How could she justify what had happened. The hurt was too raw, too fresh.
Despite Zoe's brief fear and panic at being caught, the man beside her was very calm.
He still had his hands on her breasts, holding her. He was so casual about it, so comfortable, it made Ashton’s blood boil.
“Is this how it is?” Ashton spat, his voice filled with disdain. “You really thought I wouldn’t find out?”
Zoe’s mouth trembled as she tried to gather her thoughts, but the words came out bitter. “You were always too busy, Ashton. Too focused on your failed interviews, too focused on everything else but me.”
Ashton's eyes widened at her switch. She didn't look remorseful. In fact, she looked ready to confront him.
She stood up, grabbing the sheet to cover herself as she glared at him. “I expected you to treat me right and you gave me nothing. Don’t you get it? You’re not the man I thought you were.”
Ashton was stunned. She was blaming him for this? For her infidelity? For everything that had gone wrong in their relationship?
“Zoe, I do everything for you. I pay for your hair, your nails, your clothes. Everything I can!"
But Zoe waved her hands. “All cheap! That's not what I signed up for."
“You’re telling me you’re doing this because I’m not successful enough for you?” Ashton’s voice was hoarse now, full of disbelief.
Zoe shrugged, “Do I have to spell it out?" She scoffed, “You attended a great college, I thought you'd be done and get a great job but no, you're a loser now!"
Ashton couldn't believe what she said to him. She was humiliating him in the presence of her lover. “You’re the one who has nothing going for her, Zoe! I've been taking care of you since we got together. Always asking for money, always demanding things. I work hard to give you everything.”
The man in the bed suddenly laughed, an arrogant, mocking sound that made Ashton furious.
“You think you’ve got the world figured out, but you don’t even understand the power of money,” he smirked and wrapped his arms around Zoe who didn't push away. Even in his presence, she was very willing.
“How dare you touch my girl?" Ashton sneered furiously. Glaring at the man.
“Your girl?" He chuckled, “You think you’re entitled to her just because you’re some college graduate?”
Ashton’s heart slammed in his chest, every word the man spoke enraged him. It felt like his entire life had been a joke, and this man, this stranger, was mocking him for it.
“You don’t know what it’s like to actually have something, do you?” the man smirked.
Ashton’s pulse raced. He wanted to punch this man, to feel his fists connect with the smug look on his face, to wipe away the arrogance he wore.
“Shut your mouth,” Ashton growled, his voice barely controlled. He took a step forward, his hands shaking with rage. But as he did, Zoe stood between him and the man, her hands trembling as she pushed against his chest.
“No, Ashton!” Zoe’s voice was panicked now. “Don’t touch him!”
Zoe was defending her lover. She was openly picking the man over him.
Zoe’s expression was cold. She didn't seem sorry. In fact, she looked upset at Ashton.
“Yeah, well, maybe I got tired of waiting around for you to finally get your shit together. You were always too busy with your fancy degree and your job hunts. I thought you’d be my ticket out, but guess what? You’re just a disappointment.”
Ashton’s heart shattered. She was blaming him for everything. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks, she had never truly cared.
She had been using him from the start, always looking for something better. And now, she had found it.
“Just leave, Ashton!” Zoe waved her hands dismissively. “You’re embarrassing yourself.”
Ashton couldn't breathe. He couldn't believe she was protecting the man who had taken everything from him, the man who had stolen his girlfriend, his trust, his life.
Zoe turned to him mockingly. “You’re pathetic, Ashton,” she sneered. “You never had a chance. Now get out. I’m done with you.”
Ashton didn't wait for her to say it again. He turned away mechanically.
The man’s laughter followed him, echoing in his
ears as he walked out of the room.
Zoe had done the unimaginable. She'd broken his heart.
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Chapter Sixty nine
Breaking Point"Stay with me," Ashton growled, shaking him. "Stay with me, damn it!" Augustine coughed, blood flecking his lips. His fingers weakly grasped at Ashton’s sleeve. "I’m fine," he muttered, though his voice was barely above a whisper. "Just...a scratch..." A scratch? That was a goddamn bullet wound, and Augustine was slipping away. Before Ashton could react, the masked men snapped into action. "Move! Take them!" Ashton watched in shock as the men got out of the van and tried to grab him and Augustine. Ashton fought with all he had. Punches. Kicks, blows, everything he had. But he was outnumbered sixteen to one. The odds were against him on every side. "We're taking him now!" the man barked, holding Ashton off despite how much he fought. Two men rushed forward lifting Augustine’s limp body from Ashton’s grasp. "Don’t take him!" Ashton snapped, his voice raw, "you cowards!”At this same time, the roar of new engines added to the chaos on the bridge. Headlights s
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Trapped on the BridgeThe men didn't stop chasing them as they rushed into the car, finding a way to reverse out of the parking lot of the school. Ashton sprinted toward the abandoned lot. His legs burned, his breath came in ragged gasps, and behind him, the sound of rapid footsteps and gunfire echoed through the school’s quiet lot. Augustine was right behind him, and for once, neither of them had the time to argue. "Get to the car!" Augustine shouted. Ashton didn’t need to be told twice. His eyes locked onto the sleek black sedan they had driven in, parked near the rusting chain link fence. The engine was off, but the keys were still inside. They just had to get there. Another gunshot rang out. Ashton ducked, cursing under his breath. "Who the hell are these people?!" "No idea," Augustine grunted. "But they sure as hell aren’t here to say hi!" That alone was obvious and it made Ashton even more upset. How many times did he have to duck a bullet in one month? It was be
Chapter Sixty seven
The Forgotten YearsMemory lane? Ashton didn't know why that sounded oddly too familiar considering his circumstances. Did Augustine know how horribly confused he felt? Did he know anything more about Veronica than he was letting on? The car ride was long and silent, the hum of the engine the only sound filling the space between them. Ashton clenched his jaw, glancing at Augustine, who was focused on the road ahead, his expression giving nothing away. “Where are we going?” Ashton finally asked, breaking the silence. “You’ll see,” Augustine said simply. “That’s not an answer.” “It’s the only one you’re getting right now.” Ashton exhaled sharply and turned to the window, watching the landscape blur past. He wasn’t armed, and the realization left him on edge. But as he sized up Augustine, he reassured himself, if it came down to a fight, he could take him. Years of taekwondo and self-defense training weren’t for nothing. But he hoped he didn't have to fight his brother. H
Chapter Sixty six
BlankAshton stepped out of the Blackwell Hospital, his breath misting in the cold night air. His heart was still racing, though not from adrenaline anymore. It was the intensity of what he had just uncovered, all the lies, the betrayal, the lengths to which his father had gone to erase his mother from existence. “Wicked old goose!" He hissed as he got to the car park. He clenched his jaw, shoving his hands into his coat pockets as he made his way to his car. The truth had been there all along, just waiting for him to uncover it. His mother had been abandoned. Denied medical treatment. Left to suffer because Frederick Reed had deemed her unworthy. Ashton got into the car and slammed the door shut. Carter looked at him through the rearview mirror. “Where to, sir?" Ashton hissed, “home.x The ride was silent as they drove back to the Reed estate. Thankfully, Carter didn't ask questions. He wasn't ready to answer anyways. His mind was a storm, torn between anger and a cold reso
Chapter Sixty five
A Mother's Heartthrob The speed on the motorbike was exceptional. The city lights blurred into streaks of gold and red as the motorcycle tore through the streets. The cold night air bit at Ashton’s skin, but he barely noticed. His focus was locked on the darkened roads ahead, on the wind whipping past his face, and on the woman maneuvering the bike with impressive speed. Behind them, the men that pursued from the house had vanished into the distance, but Ashton didn’t let his guard down. He still had his gun in hand as he twisted his head slightly, scanning the streets. No headlights, no black vans. Had they really shaken them? Even if they seemed to be out of immediate danger, Rovan didn’t slow down. She weaved through the lonely road with the confidence of someone who had done this a hundred times before. Every sharp turn, every sudden swerve sent adrenaline coursing through Ashton’s veins. It was reckless. It was dangerous. But so far, Rovan seemed to know what she was
Chapter Sixty four
The Badass Rovan Ashton took the flash drive from Rovan’s outstretched hand, his fingers tightening around it as he studied her. The dim street light outside barely illuminated her face, but he could see the slight skepticism in her eyes, the kind of look that belonged to someone who had lived on the run for too long. “This isn’t enough,” he said flatly. “If you want me to believe you, I need more.” “You should be glad I'm giving this to you. You'd never be able to find out what happened to your sister otherwise." Ashton looked at her and then the flash in his hands, “Frankly, I don't care." Then he flipped the flash drive in his hands, “I need information and I know you have it." Rovan sighed, shoving her hands into the pockets of her dark coat. “We can’t talk here. It’s not safe.” “Then take me where we can talk." Rovan looked at him like he'd just lost his bloody mind. “I think you're missing something here. I'm helping you, you aren't in the right place to make demands
Chapter Sixty three
A Messenger “Sir, we found out that the elevator was being tampered with," one of the security men said. Ashton sighed and shook his head. “I'm sure it's nothing, just make sure the lights don't go out again.” “Sir, you don't understand, you might have been in danger in there, I think we were breached." This was the part that he didn't want to deal with. He didn't want anyone snooping around just in case they found the Irish woman. She'd gone through so much stress to warn him. "Don't bother, I'm fine. Don't push it.” He warned sternly and then left them all stunned. As Ashton made his way toward the executive wing, a voice called out behind him. “Mr. Reed! Sir, if I could just have a moment of your time.” Ashton barely slowed down. He hoped no one would get nosey and ask about the elevator. He wasn't about to tell anyone what happened in there. A young man,no older than twenty-seven, hurried after him, his eyes were gleaming with enthusiasm. The ID clipped to his blazer re
