Something sharp and protective rises in my chest. I take a subtle step closer to Ashton, our shoulders bumping together.
Beside me, Ashton’s jaw flexes. He squares his shoulders.
“Hello,” he says flatly.
Mark’s expression darkens almost immediately. He shifts like he’s about to turn away, like this whole interaction isn’t even worth his time, but Debbie grabs his elbow.
“Mark,” she says, voice tight. “Please.”
He exhales sharply through his nose. “I don’t have anything to say to him.”
“Please,” she insists, her grip tightening. “He’s your son.”
Something cold flickers across Mark’s face. He looks Ashton dead in the eye, his expression hard as stone.
“Not anymore.”
Ashton goes completely still beside me.
Mark doesn’t wait for a response. He just pulls his arm free and turns away. “I’ll be in the truck,” he mutters to Debbie before heading off down the sidewalk without another glance back.
Debbie watches him go, her shoulders sagging. When she turns back to Ashton, her eyes are already glassy. “How… how are you feeling?” she asks quietly.
Ashton’s posture stiffens. “I’m fine.”
It’s clipped and distant—nothing like the way he used to talk to her.
She nods quickly, like she’ll take whatever she can get. “That’s good. That’s… good.” Her expression shifts, her eyes hardening. “Listen, Ashton… I need you to talk to your siblings.”
He frowns. “About what?”
“They won’t speak to us,” she says, frustration creeping in. “None of them. When we’re home, Chloe and Justin won’t even look at us. They just ignore us.”
Her voice wavers, almost like she’s seeking sympathy.
“It’s bad enough losing you,” she continues, her eyes shining. “You didn’t have to turn the rest of them against us too.”
Something sharp flashes across Ashton’s face.
“You didn’t have to lose me,” he says, his voice steady but edged with steel. “You chose to walk out of my life.”
Debbie flinches.
“And my siblings can do whatever the hell they want,” he adds. “I’m not controlling them. I never have.”
Her mouth tightens. “Is this really worth it?” she asks, her tone going brittle. “All of this? For… this?” She gestures vaguely between us, her frustration barely contained.
“Yes,” he says. “He’s worth it.”
His response is immediate, certain and unshakable. Warmth blooms in my chest.
Debbie just stares at him, like she doesn’t recognize the person standing in front of her anymore.
Ashton doesn’t give her the chance to respond.
“We have a movie to catch,” he says, already turning away. “Bye.”
He tugs gently on my hand, pulling me with him down the sidewalk. I go without question, squeezing his palm as we walk. After a few steps, I glance up at him.
