Page 113 of Broken Beauty
He could've died.
What would have happened if he took the wrong drug or if someone wasn't there to help him?
“Ash-“
“My father was never home around that time. He trusted my mom. She would only test them when my dad went on business trips so she had time for me to act normal around him. She threatened that if I ever told him that she would kill me and make it look like an accident.”
What mother would do that? How could someone do that to a child?
My hands in Ash's hair freeze but he rests his hands on mine.
“And then she would force me to have sex with her friends for money. She had to hold me down on the couch and f-force me to stay still as they forced themselves on me.” His voice cracks and before I can yell and hold him tighter against me, he continues. “It would happen every Friday because she would buy her drugs on Saturdays. My dad worked late at the office on those days. My mom was a good liar, I'll admit. She hid it so fucking well and I will never know how she did it all.” Ash lets out a dark chuckle. “I finally stood up to her when I was around sixteen. I had a car at the time and I would never be home to see her. I would tell my dad I was sleeping at a friend’s house. I would call Ally to know when my mom was home and wasn't so that I could get cash and clothes. I would only visit my father's office to see him but I was never home. My dad wondered why but I just said that my friend needed my help. He believed me because he's fucking blind to everything. I didn't sleep in that house for almost two years.”
Ash laughs again while more tears just fall from my eyes.
“But one night my mom was home. Ally wasn't home and her cell wasn't working so I thought I would try and see if I could get some clothes and cash because I was running out. I was desperate. So, when I walked inside the house it was empty. I went to my room to get my stuff but my mom was in there. She started hitting me and attacking me. She looked like she wanted to kill me. Our fighting led outside my room to the staircase and it got out of hand. I didn't mean to but it just happened. She was pulling my hair and next thing I know her touch disappears and she is down the stairs with her head cracked and her eyes wide open. There was blood surrounding her head and I was too scared to go downstairs so I didn't. I stayed on the top of the stairs until Ally came home.”
I can't hear anything. All I can see and hear is Ash. Seventeen-year-old Ash screaming and yelling, rocking back and forth while looking at his mother on the floor.
I hold him tighter in my arms and cry. I cry for the boy who has had a fucked-up life since he was born. I cry for the boy who has been traumatized and has had demons haunt him since he was just a kid.
He was just a kid.
Six years old.
I cry and sob as Ash moves me so that I am crying into his chest and he is holding me. I feel his lips against my ear but I can't hear a thing he is saying.
I shake my head, it can’t be true.
Everything he said can't be true.
“Ariella.”
I get out of his hold and look at him.
“You were just a kid.” I touch his face and his eyes aren't as dark and vacant.
“Yea, but it's funny how fate works,” he says with a lighter mood.
“Why would fate play into this?” I say, tears still running down my cheeks.
“Because the guy who ended up being on the prosecutor’s team was Cal Madden and I just happened to fall in love with his daughter.”
I didn't fully understand my father and Levi's feud. I knew my father and him have had a rivalry since they were in college but I didn't understand why my father hated Ash so much.
Not until now.
“My dad thinks you're dangerous. He thinks you have violent tendencies.” Ash doesn't nod his head or anything, he just stares at me. I put my hands on his face. “He couldn't be more wrong.”
“Ariella-“
“No, listen to me,” I demand as I ignore the tears still falling from my eyes. “I love my father but he couldn't be more wrong about you. The bitch deserved to die. She deserves to be in hell forever for what she did. You don't deserve any of my father's hatred and I will continue to defend you until my last breath. Do you understand?” Ash's lips lift in a small smile and his eyes are suddenly filled with love. So much love. “Why are you smiling? I'm trying to be sentimental and serious.”
“Because I'm in love with you, Madden.” Ash simply says.
I shake my head as a small smile forms on my face. It's sad but it's there.
It's a happy, sad smile.
