Ashford Series 1: Loveless Vows

Chapter 25

Prime's laughter came out in shaky bursts, mingled with tears that streamed uncontrollably down his face.

His emotions were a jumbled mess—relief, joy, and disbelief all tangled together. He couldn’t quite articulate how he felt, but the raw intensity of it all left him overwhelmed.

Cyrus, watching this strange mix of laughter and tears, just stared.

He seemed puzzled by Prime's reaction. With an almost childish pout, he extended his arms and said,

"What about me? Don’t I get a hug too?"

Prime turned to him with a look of disbelief and a hint of disgust.

The contrast between Cyrus's lightheartedness and the gravity of the situation only heightened his frustration.

Seeing his cousin’s reaction, Cyrus silently sulked, crossing his arms and looking like a child who was left out.

Ignoring Cyrus, Prime grabbed a nearby chair and sank into it with a heavy sigh.

He cradled Sandy in his lap, the tiny girl clutching a small toy amidst the soot and ash.

Despite the chaos, Prime found himself chuckling softly at Sandy’s appearance—her oversized clothes made her look even more fragile and endearing.

With a gentle touch, Prime used Sandy’s oversized shirt to carefully wipe the soot and ash from her face.

Each swipe was tender and deliberate, trying to clean her up while taking in the overwhelming reality that she was safe.

His heart ached with love as he looked at her, finding solace in the small, comforting routine of caring for his daughter.

While Prime was carefully wiping the soot from Sandy's face, he heard Sabrinna's voice calling out for her daughter.

The sound of her anguished cry pierced through the chaos, and when she saw Sandy in Prime's arms, she ran over and embraced her baby tightly.

Tears streamed down her face as she clung to Sandy, her sobs mingling with Sandy's confused giggles.

Jane, behind her, was also searching for her own child. When she finally found him, she too embraced him with a mix of relief and tears.

Prime stood by, offering silent comfort to Sabrinna. His gaze shifted to Cyrus, who was nearby, his mouth forming the words "Thank you."

Cyrus responded with a thumbs-up while munching on some food meant for the victims.

Prime then stood up and gently guided Sabrinna to sit down. She looked at Sandy's oversized shirt and laughed softly, clearly relieved.

Sabrinna spoke to Sandy, asking her why she was wearing such a big shirt. Sandy just laughed back, her tiny frame swimming in the oversized clothing.

The sight of Sabrinna and Sandy sharing a moment of laughter amidst the disaster filled Prime with a profound sense of happiness and contentment.

It was a small, yet significant, moment and connection that brought him a deep, comforting sense of peace.

Cyrus approached Sabrinna and Jane with a somber expression. His voice was heavy as he delivered the tragic news.

"The nanny... she didn't make it," he said, struggling to find the right words. "I couldn’t save her. She was caught in the fire."

Jane's eyes widened in shock, and she covered her mouth with trembling hands. The weight of the news hit her hard.

Sabrinna, holding Sandy close, closed her eyes, trying to process the pain of losing someone who had been a part of their lives.