CHAINS

Chapter 32

Third person's POV

The grand ballroom of Ashton's mansion was full of beauty and luxury, glowing under the warm light of crystal chandeliers that sparkled across the room. The walls were decorated with flowing arrangements of ivory roses and touches of gold, matching the shiny mirrors and detailed designs along the walls. In one corner, a string quartet played gentle music, blending with the sound of people talking and laughing. The air smelled of fresh flowers and the light scent of fancy appetizers carried by neatly dressed servers.

Molly stood at the entrance of the ballroom, her hand resting lightly on Ashton's arm. She wore a floor-length gown of soft champagne silk, the delicate fabric catching the light with every movement. Her hair was swept into an elegant updo, a few loose curls framing her face. She looked every bit the radiant bride-to-be, but beneath the surface, her heart was a storm of emotions.

Habang isa-isang nagsidatingan ang mga guests, pinilit ni Molly na ngumiti sa bawat isa. Ashton stood beside her, his presence commanding and confident. He was the picture of charm, his deep voice warm and welcoming as he exchanged pleasantries with their guests. Mukha silang masayang magkasintahan, beautiful, poised, and deeply in love. But Molly's smile didn't reach her eyes, and her mind was far from the celebration.

"This is it", she thought, her stomach twisting with anxiety. "The first day of the celebration. A week of this. A week of pretending everything is fine."

Molly looked around the room and noticed the children who had come with their parents. They ran along the edges of the ballroom, laughing as they played while their nannies kept an eye on them. Her heart ached when she thought of Asher. He was somewhere in the mansion, probably playing with the other kids, not knowing the worry in his mother's heart. She had barely seen him all day, and the thought of him growing up in this world, full of wealth and privilege, but also control and fear, made her chest feel tight.

Ashton's hand tightened slightly on her arm, pulling her back to the present. "Smile, love," bulong nito. "Our guests are watching."

Mabilis namang inayos ni Molly ang pagkakangiti, nodding at an elderly couple who had just arrived. She could feel Ashton's eyes on her, his gaze sharp and assessing. He always seemed to know when her thoughts were wandering, and it unnerved her.

"He's watching me," naisip niya, habang bumibikis ang pagpitik ng pulso niya. "Always watching. Always controlling."

The thought sent a shiver down her spine, but she pushed it aside, focusing instead on the guests. She recognized some of them, friends of Ashton's family, business associates, and a few distant relatives. But there were others she didn't know, their faces blurring together as she greeted them with polite nods and smiles.

Hinanap ng mga mata niya kung dumating ang mga kaibigan. She missed Andrea and Elliot. Gusto niyang makita ang mga ito at mayakap man lang. Gusto niyang humugot ng lakas sa mga ito. Ngunit hindi niya minsang nahagilap ang dalawa.

Habang tumatagal ang gabi, lalong lumakas ang kaba ni Molly. She could feel the weight of Ashton's expectations pressing down on her, the unspoken demand that she play her role perfectly. She hated this. The constant performance, the need to hide her true feelings. But she had no choice. Not here. Not now.

Her thoughts drifted to Victoria and Veronica, who had arrived earlier that day. She had seen them briefly, their presence a stark reminder of the plan they had proposed. The plan to escape. The thought both terrified and exhilarated her. Kaya niya ba? Makakaya niya bang tumakas, dala si Asher at magsimulang muli? The idea seemed impossible, but the tiny flicker of hope it sparked in her chest was impossible to ignore.

Ashton's voice broke through her thoughts once again. "Molly," he said, his tone firm but not unkind. "The Harringtons are here. Let's greet them."

Molly nodded, forcing another smile as she turned to face the approaching couple. But as she shook their hands and exchanged pleasantries, her mind was elsewhere. She thought of Asher, of the life she wanted for him, a life free from fear, from control, from the shadow of his father's temper.