𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐒𝐄𝐗𝐔𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓! 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐄𝐄𝐃 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐂𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍.
𝗖𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱.
For five years, I was caged-locked in a life I couldn't escape, a nightmare I couldn't wake up from.
At an age when I should have been dancing under the star...
"You are not a person to him—you are just a fucking arm candy. Someone he can fuck whenever the fuck he wants. That's what you are."
Those words sliced through me like shattered glass. I knew in my heart that Ash regretted them the second they left his lips, but the damage was done.
"Fuck You!" I simply said and sat back down on the table, silently crying. It's true. What he said is true, but it still hurts.
I heard Ash let out a heavy sigh before walking over. His footsteps were slow, hesitant, as if he was unsure whether to reach for me or give me space. Finally, he sat down beside me. The warmth of his presence was right there, but I couldn't look at him. My eyes stayed glued to the ground, the tears blurring my vision.
I felt his fingers brush over my knuckles, seeking my hand. I jerked slightly, trying to pull away. But he didn't let go. His grip was firm but gentle, as if he was afraid I might slip away. When I resisted again, he let out a low chuckle—the sound soft, almost teasing—and he tightened his hold with a smug smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. The playful stubbornness in his eyes made it impossible for me to fight back anymore. With a defeated sigh, I let him hold my hand, but I still refused to look at him. My face remained turned away, jaw clenched in defiance.
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"Baby, look at me," he murmured, his voice low and soothing. He brought my hand to his lips and kissed my knuckles softly. "Hey, come on, darling. Please, look at me." His words were tender, almost pleading.
Finally, I turned toward him, my eyes still stinging with unshed tears.
"What?" I snapped, my voice sharp and cold.
His expression softened, regret flashing in his eyes. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice breaking slightly. "I shouldn't have said that. It was uncalled for. And I know you're scared, baby. But so am I. We can't fall apart now. Not when we're this close."
His eyes flickered with desperation as he cupped my cheek, wiping away a stray tear with his thumb. His hand was warm, rough yet soothing.
"I just—" his voice cracked, and he looked down, clenching his jaw. "I hate him, Alana. I hate him so damn much. For hurting you. For keeping you away from me. For taking everything from you. For bringing you so much pain. And your parents..." his voice trailed off, trembling slightly with restrained fury. "God, your parents," he spat bitterly. "How could they do this to you? To their own daughter?"
I stared at him, stunned by the raw emotion in his voice. His eyes glistened with unshed tears, his hand tightening around mine.
"You don't deserve this," he whispered. "You deserve the world, baby. And I want to give you that."
