AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Right. We were drunk.” Keeping the hiss of disappointment from him is harder than hiding the agony that’s draining the power in my legs. I need to take my medication. “Maybe we didn’t...” I grab my purse on the dresser. We’d have a certificate or something if we seriously got married last night. “They wouldn't let people that drunk get married.”
I’m not that naive. I’m being optimistic. But as soon as the words left my lips, my fingers were touching the parchment that hadn’t been with me when I left the room the night before.
“You're not that naïve, Ash.” Sean sneers.
“No. I’m not. This is Las Vegas. If I want to marry Luca, there’s probably a chapel somewhere around here that would do it.”
“That’s twisted. Even for you. Luca’s dead.”
I spin around so quickly at the distasteful mention of my dog. Luca was the sweetest birthday present ever and she came from Sean. He bought the golden retriever puppy for me ten years ago. A time when we were still friends, when we both lived in New York and neither of us had acted upon the feelings we had for one another.
“What do you mean she’s dead?” My heart is racing. My stomach is twisting in knots. Why would he say something that cruel? She’s my fur-baby. Probably the only baby I’ll ever have. Switzerland saw to that. “Luca isn’t dead.” I gasp, throat thick with fear. “Someone would have told me.”
“Wow.” He features hardened. “You really were wrapped up in Ramirez. Well, thanks Ash. It’s nice to know you cared so much about her, me, and Stephi that you hadn’t even noticed your dog’s been dead for six months.”
My dog’s dead?
My dog’s been dead for six months!
And this is how I’m finding out?
A vicious and spiteful retort from the man I despise. He told me he loved me. He stole my heart. Claimed it for himself. No matter how hard I try, I know I’ll never get it back. I hate him.
I’ve never hated anyone more!
My back sends another screaming protest. The pain goes down my legs, leaving me weaker. More fragile. Heart sick and on the verge of tears. My baby, Luca, is dead.
He needs to go. He needs to go now. I’ll get rid of him by any means necessary.
“Is this how low you'll sink for a story Preston?!” I hiss through my teeth. “Anyone else would have dragged your ass to court for the amount of bullshit you’ve been spreading about me.”
It took only one message from Candice McCormack, an apology for JT Preston’s behavior, to know how Sean had reacted to Mimi and Justin’s relationship, and exactly what he’d done about it. And then a quick search through my social media accounts to discover how relentless he’d been. I’d spent hours reading post after post about me.
“Seriously JT, getting a girl who's doped up on medication pissed and marrying her is a new low, even for you. What is this? Insurance for what you really want?” I step forward, my body giving another serious warning, again I ignore it. “I thought you had standards?”
“And what do I really want?”
“An apology.” I lock glares with him. “But don’t think you’re ever going to get one. You’ll get nothing from me, personally or professionally speaking, ever again.”
Sean scoops up his clothes from on the floor. “I want to know why you and your boyfriend played me for a fool, Ashleigh.”
I’d rather stick a poker in my eye than watch those ripped abs and long lean thighs. But I can’t break eye contact now. My heart thumps against the wall of my chest as my legs turn to jelly. I lean into the dresser for support.
“Why I'd expect anything different from Mimi's self-centered egotistical twin sister is beyond my comprehension,” Sean continues. He's already pulled on his shorts and slacks before I realized he’s making his way toward me. Shirt in hand. “But I never thought you’d do this to me!”
“What's the matter Sean?” I ask. “This self-centered egotistical twin has put you back on top of the world.” I should step forward. Rise to the challenge. He'd expect me to be in his face when I go all super-bitch on his ass. “I thought that the virtually bankrupt production company you worked for hit the big time because of Krystal’s love life. And I thought that meager on-the-verge-of-being-axed show you presented is now the showbiz introduction to The Jackson Matthews Show? You’re part of a prime-time network show!” I push away from the dresser. “Or does a certain message from Candice McCormack apologizing on behalf of Mac-News, for all of your bullshit in the past fifteen months, have something to do with why you’re here?” I lift my hand to my lips and gasp sarcastically. “Oh no, Sean! You haven’t been telling lies again, have you?”
“You’re never too busy to be a bitch, are you Ashleigh?”
“Hmm, no. Now that just won't do. It seems I've been downgraded from super-bitch.”
Sean steps closer. “I'm glad you’re enjoying watching my life crash and burn.”
“And I'm glad you were so happy about Justin and Krystal, that you didn’t check your resources before you told the world.”
“I am my own resource. It was me, Ash. My eyes. I took the picture. I was the one who caught you practically fucking him in the corridor!”
So that’s why he’s so angry. That's why he ignored me. Still, he didn’t check the facts. He’s never checked the facts.
