Chapter 74

'Ashleigh, in all this, why didn't you call your husband?" The question hit her harder than she expected. She'd imagined countless times how she'd answer if he asked—how she'd finally let her anger spill over, shouting about the missed karaoke night she planned, the insults instead of an apology, the countless ways Adrian had hurt her. But hearing it from Mrs. Smith left her frozen. The words she longed to scream shriveled in her throat, leaving only a bitter weight in her stomach. But as Mrs. Smith waited for her answer, Ashleigh found herself not saying anything, it was like the words dried up in her throat, and left a bitter feeling in her belly instead. 'I'm still waiting for you, dear," Mrs. Smith's voice was calm but firm, pulling Ashleigh from her swirling thoughts. 'I didn't feel like I needed to depend on him," Ashleigh finally said, her voice steady but strained. 'I thought I could handle it myself." 'My dear, Adrian is always there to help you. He cares for you very much, you should have known by now" Mrs Smith chided gently, but it grated o Ashleigh's ears. Ashleigh's jaw tightened. 'Funny how I've never experienced this care you're talking about. To him, I'm just an obligation. An annoying one." 'Don't say that, dear. Adrian wouldn't let you suffer, no matter how things are between you two. He knows his responsibilities go beyond a contract. You're his wife, and that means something," Mrs. Smith said gently, but Ashleigh felt the words like a slap. Her heart pounded, frustration bubbling to the surface. 'Aunt, why are you defending him? Do you know everything that's happened, or just my mistakes? Why are you always on his side and never mine?" Mrs. Smith looked taken aback, but Ashleigh pressed on. 'Adrian knew," she said, voice trembling. 'I carried the phone he bugged with me to Robin College, that phone was monitored by him at all times.   The first stalker message, was on that phone he gave me—but did he do anything? No. He knew, Aunt." Her voice rose, shaking with pent-up emotion. 'He avoided me on purpose, after we had an argument. His friend flew in from Italy to visit his fiancée, who is my roommate, at my college, but Adrian didn't care if I survived. He didn't call when I moved to campus. Not once. Meanwhile, he flew to Italy, far away from all this. Adrian has never cared about this relationship, because unlike powerless Ashleigh, he could afford to stay away from his problems while I had to stay and suffer the emotional torture as I wait for him in this cage called a mansion. And yet I'm the one who's supposed to confide in him?" She swallowed hard, her voice breaking. 'I'm not the only one at fault here. He's never been there for me, not when it mattered." 'Ashleigh—" 'No, Aunt," she interrupted, tears brimming in her eyes. 'You don't know what it's like to be treated like you're invisible. This isn't a marriage—it's a contract where I'm the servant, expected to be at his beck and call. I'm tired of pretending it's anything else." She stood abruptly, her voice shaking as her eyes gleamed with unshed tears. 'And I can't wait for this sham to be over in two months time." Without waiting for a response, Ashleigh stormed out of the room. Mrs. Smith's calls echoed behind her, but Ashleigh didn't stop. She pushed through the mansion's grand halls, ignoring the staff's startled gazes. Let them stare. Let them see her pain. Adrian had humiliated her in front of them before; this was nothing new. Her vision blurred with tears as she ascended the staircase, each step feeling heavier. She spotted Susan rushing toward her, panic etched across her face. 'Madame, what happened—" 'Don't let my aunt follow me," Ashleigh cut her off, her voice trembling with restraint. She turned down the hallway, heading toward her room. She reached the staircase, her breathing shallow. The ache in her chest grew sharper with each step, her vision blurring. She began counting under her breath, as the therapist showed her, desperate to stay focused. 'Five, six, seven..." Her voice wavered as she neared her room, the door a beacon of solace. 'Almost there." Her fingers trembled as she reached for the panel. She exhaled shakily, ready to collapse in the quiet safety of her room. But just as she was about to press her thumb against the scanner, a strong hand seized her wrist. Before she could speak, Adrian dragged her down the hall, his grip firm but controlled. 'We're not doing this anymore," he said, his voice low, but the edge was unmistakable.   Ashleigh struggled, her heart racing. 'Let me go!" Adrian didn't respond. He pulled her into his study, shutting the door behind them. Ashleigh barely registered the sound of the lock clicking before her vision blurred, the weight of everything crashing down. Her legs buckled, and darkness swallowed her whole.