Ashlyn changed back in her previous clothes and entered the car with her friends. Inside the car, Li Zi read out loud some comments. They all listened to what Li Zi was saying until Ashlyn's phone rang and interrupted them.
Ashlyn saw that it was Cameron's call so she put on on speaker and they all waited to see what Cameron had to say. After greeting all of them Cameron explained the reason for her call. "Since we weren't able to celebrate your birthday I decided to come over and give you lots of support. Today aunt Diaz and Uncle will take you out. Unfortunately, my plane won't land till tomorrow so I won't be there to party with you guys." She explained.
"But don't worry I will be there for your audition and cheer you up. And if they don't accept you I will personally fight those directors off!" Cameron declared and they all laughed at her sweetness. "Alright then. I will meet you tomorrow then." Ashlyn told her with a smile on her face.
"Oh right the Brown family has been real quiet. They didn't even try to stop you from declaring your identity. They didn't want the fact that they made everyone misunderstand your identity as an adopted daughter to be exposed." Cameron explained with gloom. She didn't like how that family treated her best friend but she still acted along.
The car fell silent and they all listened to Cameron attentively. They didn't notice the way Ashlyn clenched her fists.
Even after so much it still hurt how her father treated her this way. "I heard Sissie is auditioning too right? I don't trust that woman. She didn't care about you before but now you are a threat to her career and she will surely try to scheme against you. She and her family are probably already in New York. I'm sure they will be looking for you." Cameron told her through gritted teeth.
" You helped me during my lowest times and I will surely be by your side every step of the way." She tried to comfort her friend. Ashlyn smiled and hummed a yes. "She's right. We will be by your side but we just want you to open up to us like in the past." Lake added.
"Mhm thank you," Ashlyn responded because she didn't know how to tell them that she isn't ready to talk about it yet. In understanding, they nodded and switched the topic. After ending the call they all headed back to their rooms.
Ashlyn wasn't sure about her father anymore. At this point, she only wanted to be far away. She sighed when she once again met with an empty room. She then laughed, mocking herself.
"You miss him but you are the one that keeps pushing him away." She locked the door and entered her bathroom.
As she was taking a warm shower to calm her emotions more memories of them kept reminding her of how much she has closed herself in. It all felt so odd to her. How come it all happened so quickly. Her life had made a flip and all her happiness was destroyed.
She took a moment to wonder whether she would ever get to know what happiness is again.
She sighed and came out from her shower. She wrapped a towel around her body and she dried her wet hair. When she was done drying her hair she started brushing it ware that her phone had been ringing for a while now.
She just didn't want to answer. In the end, she gave in and answered the call. Cameron was right. It would not be long until her father contacted her.
"Ah, so you finally decided to answer." She heard him mock. She answered with complete silence.
"There is no need to pretend anymore Ashlyn! I already know you can speak!" He yelled angrily. His voice scared her.
"D-dad?" She finally spoke. There was a pin drop of silence. It was as if her father was so shocked to finally hear her voice after so long that he didn't know what to say.
"Or should I say Mr.Brown? Even if it was all a facade on my part. This will be the only time you will hear my voice. I'm not brave enough to refer to you as my father anymore. You wanted to cut ties with me right? Congratulations. I hope you are happy."
"I'm no longer your daughter." She told him firmly but her heart was breaking inside.
"Heh, do you think that this would affect me? Come and meet me tomorrow at 6 pm. I will text you the address. We have things to discuss." He ordered her with no hint of emotion on his voice.
She sat by her bed and cried silently. "She covered her mouth and refused to let him hear her cries. 'I hate it. I hate this. I hate it all.' She said in her mind. She wiped her tears away and closed her eyes.
'Calm down. You are strong.' She reminded herself.
She clenched her fists and refused to give in this time. She didn't want to follow his orders anymore she had been humiliated long enough. "Ashlyn. If you don't come I will tell him what you did. Do you think you could get away with it just because he lost his memories?" He questioned her.
Her face paled…..
******
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