COMMENT
Chapter 18
Ashley’s POV
The drive back to the Goddess heart pack was quiet and satisfying. I kept my eyes on the trees, watching as they grew distant and a new one reappeared.
I could still feel a soft thumping in my chest as Xavier drove through the dark roads, and occasionally he’d glance over me as if to check if I was okay. I smiled back each time, pushing off any worrisome thoughts that he might have.
The expression on his face was unreadable, and the only thing I could get from it was that he looked just a bit exhausted.
We pulled up to the house and Xavier parked in front of the mansion. From where I sat inside the car, I could see the dim lights inside the rooms.
“Finally.” He said, letting out a deep breath.
“Finally,” I replied in the same tone.
I opened the door and stepped out of the car and immediately the cold night breeze was first to greet me. I looked up to the sky and saw that the stars were still out and there weren’t any clouds. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, before following Xavier into the house.
He twisted the lock and pushed the door open and his first step into the room, caused the floorboards to creak. I followed closely from behind and felt the warmth of the room as soon as I entered.
I removed my scarf and hung it by the door, before walking further into the room and just then I noticed Laura walking out from one corner of the room. Her hair was damp as if she had just gotten out of the bathroom, and her eyes lit up as soon as
she saw us.
“You’re back.” She said eagerly, brushing her wet hair from her face. She reached where we were and stopped just a few feet
away.
“How was the grand ball” She asked excitedly, looking from me to Xavier with wide eyes.
“It was great.” I said almost immediately, taking a quick glance at Xavier who seemed to be growing exhausted by the second. Everything had gone according to plan, but I was pretty sure that it wasn’t Xavier’s plan to hit Nolan.
“How’s Brian?” I asked sharply, changing the topic.
The smile in her lips widened and she pointed upstairs. “He’s asleep. Everything went fine and you don’t have to worry about anything.” She reported, just like she normally did back at the office.
I smiled in relief, thankful that I had made the right choice. It was a huge relief to know that no matter what was going on with me, Brian was safe and happy.
I walked towards Laura and before she could ask any questions, I pulled her to a hug. She tensed slightly, obviously shocked at the gesture, but after a while, she relaxed into it
Thank you, Laura,” I said to her in a low and sincere whisper. “I’m really glad that I can count on you.”
We separated and she had a shy smile on her face. “It’s nothing really, ma’am. It’s my job, and I love taking care of Brian. You don’t have to thank me.”
“Well, take tomorrow off,” I said to her, patting her arm gently. “It’s the least I can
do
Laura quickly moved backward and shook her head rapidly, even with the smile still on her lips.
Chapter 18
“Oh, no, no, ma’am. I don’t think I can do that, even if I wanted, just couldn’t. My conscience wouldn’t let me. You have enough already to deal with and I can’t just leave everything for you to handle,”
I smiled, knowing that she was going to reject the offer. There was no use in trying to convince her to take up the offer because she was going to refuse it again.
Just then. I noticed Xavier walk into the counter with a glass of drink in his hand, he walked up the stairs, leaving me and Laura to ourselves.
“Well, see you tomorrow then, goodnight,” I said, turning my attention to Laura who had turned to look at him as well.
“Oh, goodnight, ma’am.” She said quickly, turning her eyes to look at me. She seemed slightly disappointed, and even though I knew why, I was too exhausted to dwell on it.
I watched her walk back through the door she came out from, al for a moment, I stood in the center of the room, listening to the soft crackling of the fireplace.
I took a deep breath and walked towards the stairs, climbing through it without any hesitation. I walked through the hallway, walking past the framed photos hanging on the walls and then headed to my room, I stopped in front of Brian’s.
The door was slightly open, just as I wanted it to be. I slipped in silently, careful not to make any sound. The lights were dim and I could see him sleeping soundly from where I stood.
I made my way towards his bed, taking quiet and slow steps. I stopped when I got there and smiled as I watched his small chest rise and fall. I leaned over and kissed him on his forehead, adjusting his hair which covered most of his face.
Goodnight, son,” I whispered softly, before moving backward, and almost immediately, the thought of his father back at the ball came rushing through my mind.
Even with his eyes closed, he looked so much like his father, and I was guessing that Xavier had seen that too and it probably upset him.
I took a deep breath and shut my eyes, trying not to think about it, but all I could see were pictures of him. How dare he? The audacity of him to demand answers, to think that he still had the authority to make me do whatever he wanted.
I could feel my blood starting to boil again, so I took a deep breath and slipped out of the room, but not before giving Brian one last look of affection for the night
1 headed towards my room, walking through the hallway slowly with one thought in mind. I was going to do everything in my power to make sure they paid for what they did to me, and Iwasn’t going to have a second thought for mercy.
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