You shall be punished Ash

Ashley's POV

The car came to a gentle stop, and as I stepped out, my breath caught at the sight before me

Wow! A mansion straight out of a fairytale. Radiant white floors reflected the golden evening light, sunlit gardens stretched beyond towering walls, and grand hallways featured artwork and noble portraits depicting the Hale family lineage. Every corner exuded authority—not just affluence but an eerie sense of dominance

I followed Alexandria in silence, careful not to lose my way. The deeper we walked, the more I realized I was lost. How many turns had we taken? How far was I from the exit? The cold inside wasn't from the air conditioning. The staff barely acknowledged me. They welcomed Alexandria with silent bows and quickly faded into the background. I was invisible.

We stopped. "Here is your room," Alexandria stated without emotion, "and that is mine." I followed his gaze. His room was directly across from mine. His room was too close for comfort.

"You are not to leave without permission. You will not enter my room unless ushered in. And if you need me, you shall have someone call on me." I nodded quickly. Anything to escape his presence. It was suffocating like the air awaited his approval before it dared move.

He disappeared behind his door, and without hesitation, I dashed into mine, slamming the door behind me. For the first time, I exhaled. My eyes roamed the room and walls in a soft blend of purple and white, my favorite colors. A small, bitter smile crept onto my face. Only my parents knew.

The thought shattered me.

I sank to the floor, hugging my knees as silent sobs wracked through me. My mind was a storm of questions I couldn't answer. 

Where had I gone wrong? I had been the ideal daughter—obedient and devoted. I'd taken on responsibilities that were not mine and settled their debts. Yet when the time came, they chose her. 

Five months of tears. Five months of watching the news for any mention of my death or kidnapping. But nothing. I had been erased, as if I never existed. A ghost in my own life.

As night fell, I finally stood up. My tears had dried. There was no point in mourning the living. I peeled off my clothes and stepped into the shower, letting the scalding water burn away my weakness. When I emerged, wrapped in a towel, I felt more resolved. 

Then… I froze. He was in my room. Alexandria sat on the couch, legs crossed, observing me with an unreadable expression. His presence alone sent a shiver down my spine. I barely noticed the others. 

Ian, the ever-dutiful assistant, spoke up. "Mrs. Hale, we should get you ready." His tone was neutral, but his words burned. 

Mrs. Hale? My stomach churned. Behind him stood a stylist, a makeup artist... an entire team, waiting to transform me into a woman fit to stand by the monster. Alexandria remained silent. But his dark gaze burned into me. He was enjoying this.

The Camfrey Estate. (The Party)

I stood at the entrance of my own creation. The estate before me was a product of my effort and sacrifice. Yet, my name was nowhere to be found. My fingers tightened around Alexandria's hand not out of love but for necessity. If I let go, I might shatter. 

The moment we stepped inside, whispers circulated through the air like vipers. "Isn't that the disgraced ex-wife of Edward Camfrey?"

"Don't tell me she wormed her way into Alexandria Hale's bed." 

The words stung, but I couldn't dwell on them. Alexandria was gone. I turned to find him mingling with other business tycoons, his smirk a silent reminder. I was on my own. I felt their stares before I saw them. 

My parents. My father's face went pale. My mother's mouth fell open in horror. Samantha looked as if she had seen a ghost. Edward…Edward was furious. My fingers dug into my palm. Every instinct screamed at me to run, but I was done running. Samantha stormed toward me, with Edward trailing behind like a loyal pet.

"You've got some nerve showing up here, Ashley!" Her voice dripped with venom. "He divorced you; get over it!" I stood my ground, forcing a small, tight smile. Let her believe she held the upper hand.

"Miss Coyle, right?" My voice is light, almost playful. "I've heard a lot about you." Samantha's eyes blazed. 

"Oh, don't play dumb. You…" I interrupted her, still smiling. "This is our first meeting, if I'm not mistaken." A bitter laugh escaped her throat; she knew my intent. Her hand shot out, nails digging into my wrist. It didn't hurt, not like before. She had done far worse. They all had. But I had endured.

"I know exactly who you are, Ashley," she whispered, her voice thick with malice. I tilted my head, replying, "Then you should know I don't associate with strangers." Her grip tightened, but I maintained my smile through the pain. The crowd around us murmured, all eyes on us. Then a new voice cut through the air. 

"You should know I'd recognize you anywhere, Ashley." His breath brushed against my ear as his fingers secured around my waist, possessive. My body was frozen. No. Not again. I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe. I was back there, trapped, helpless. I turned, desperate, seeking the only person who could stop this. 

And just in time, he appeared. The air in the room shifted, and every whisper was washed. Every gaze followed his deliberate steps. "Mr. Camfrey," he murmured, his voice an icy warning. Before I could react, his hands found mine, spinning me toward him. His warmth burned.

For the first time that evening, I breathed easy. Alexandria's cold, cold gaze settled on Edward. His grip on my waist tightened, a claim of ownership. 

"I believe you have the wrong bride." Edward's jaw clenched. Samantha's nails curled into her palm. Then Alexandria leaned in, his lips brushing mine—a kiss. The world around us blurred. The whispers turned into gasps, but to him, this was no act of love. It was a declaration of power. A silent warning that I belonged to him. As he pulled away, his lips barely grazed my ear, whispering 

"You shall be punished, Ash."And just like that, my nightmare was far from over.