Days after Emma and Jake reconcile. Ashton had always been good at reading people, and tonight, Emma's eyes told him more than her words ever could. He had noticed something off in her lately, a sadness that she carried around like a heavy cloak. But it wasn't until that night when he had followed her to the hill, that he truly saw the depth of her pain.
She had driven recklessly, the speed of her car mirroring the chaos he knew was raging inside her. Ashton had barely kept up, his heart pounding in his chest, not just from the speed but from the fear of what she might do. When she finally stopped, he watched as she stumbled out of the car, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. Without thinking, he had rushed to her side, wrapping her in his arms.
The way she cried that night—hard, broken, like the world had finally crushed her spirit—was something Ashton would never forget. She didn't tell him what was wrong; she didn't have to. He didn't need the details to understand that whatever it was, it was tearing her apart. He just held her, offering the only comfort he could, even though it felt woefully inadequate. She thanked him through her tears, and while her words were meant to reassure him, they only made his heart ache more.
Ashton had never felt so helpless. He was used to being the one who could fix things, who could step in and make everything better. But with Emma, he didn't know what to do, or how to take away her pain. All he could do was be there, hoping that somehow, his presence was enough to anchor her.
Then came the night of Jake and Lily's engagement party. Ashton had attended, not out of excitement, but out of obligation. His mind was still on Emma, and the gnawing feeling that something terrible was happening in her life.
When the engagement was announced, the shock that rippled through the room hit Ashton like a punch to the gut. His first thought was of Emma—how this news would devastate her. He exchanged looks with his friends, all of them just as stunned and horrified. Jess, always the one to act, was the first to suggest they leave, and Ashton had never agreed with her more quickly.
The drive to Emma's house was tense, everyone too lost in their thoughts to say much. Ashton's mind raced with a thousand questions: How could Jake do this? Why didn't Emma say anything? What was really going on?
When they arrived, and Emma opened the door, the confusion and vulnerability in her eyes almost undid him. It was like seeing her cry on that hill all over again. She was trying so hard to be strong, to keep it together, but Ashton could see the cracks in her armor.
As the group made their way to the beach, Ashton stayed close to Emma, ready to catch her if she fell. The beach had always been their spot, a place of peace and happy memories, but tonight it felt different—heavy with the weight of everything unsaid.
Sitting in the sand, under the light of the rising moon, Ashton listened as Emma finally opened up about what was happening. Each word she spoke was like a knife to his heart. The idea that Jake's father was pulling the strings, forcing Jake into an engagement with Lily, was infuriating. But what hurt Ashton the most was seeing how much it was destroying Emma.
He watched her, seeing the tears welling up in her eyes, the way her hands trembled as she tried to explain the impossible situation she was in. Ashton's chest tightened with each word, feeling her pain as if it were his own. He wanted to reach out, to take her hand, to do something, anything, to ease her suffering. But he knew that this wasn't something he could fix with just a few kind words or a comforting embrace.
When Emma mentioned Lily, Ashton felt a pang of anger mixed with sorrow. How could Lily, someone who had been Emma's best friend, agree to this? How could she go along with something that was breaking Emma apart? But Ashton also knew that the situation was more complicated than that. There were forces at play that were beyond any of their control, and that helplessness gnawed at him.
As Emma continued to speak, Ashton couldn't help but feel a deep, protective instinct rising within him. He didn't care about the politics of Jake's family or the societal expectations being forced upon them. All he cared about was Emma and the fact that she was suffering because of all this.
He knew that he needed to be there for her, not just tonight, but in the days and weeks to come. She didn't have to go through this alone—he wouldn't let her. As the waves crashed against the shore, Ashton made a silent vow to himself: no matter what happened, he would stand by Emma's side. He would be her anchor, her support, even if it meant watching her love someone else. Because seeing her smile again, seeing her find happiness, was worth any pain he might feel.
When Emma looked at them all, thanking them for being there, Ashton felt a surge of emotion. He had never been more sure of anything in his life—he would be there for her, no matter what. And as the night wore on, he sat by her side, watching the moonlight dance on the waves, knowing that somehow, they would all get through this together.
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Golden Horizon: The Sea's Secret
Romantizm"Golden Horizons: The Sea's Secret" is a heartwarming tale of healing, growth, and new beginnings. Emma Grace Parker returns to her coastal hometown, Rivertown, after two years of building a life in New York. Haunted by memories and past heartbreak...
