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…..
" You more than anyone knows none of this is my fault. I reached out to you because you were my father! Because I trusted you!" Ashlyn shouted. "Aren't you so shameless…."
"He lost his memories, he won't know whether to trust you or not. It doesn't matter what you say." He replied indifferently.
Ashlyn hung up immediately. Even if he didn't get a response from her he knew that she would arrive.
Ashlyn set up her clothes for the night and took out her scrip. She started reading it and going through the scene she would audition tomorrow. She did all of these to distract herself. She didn't want to spend her afternoon crying for a father that isn't worth it.
She was completely disgusted at her father. Initially, she felt like she was the problem. She thought that she was doing something wrong. She was insecure about herself for some time. That was until she realized that she wasn't the problem but instead it's her toxic father.
This isn't about her father changing after her mother's death but it's something else. Maybe he was disguised all along. Ashlyn realized that her father had become a stranger to her.
A few minutes later she received a message from a group chat between the twins, her and Li Zi. The messenger was Luke telling them to be ready soon because his parents will arrive soon.
Ashlyn replied to his message and started getting ready. She put on a red romper and a matching pair of heels. She let her black hair down and she did some simple makeup. She looked at herself in the mirror and she smiled. She kept on telling herself that she shouldn't let anyone stop her from being happy. "I will be fine."
She sighed and left her room. She was the first one to arrive at the lounge of the hotel. She used her phone until Li Zi and Luke arrive at the same time. Ashlyn raised an eyebrow and Luke looked away almost immediately.
Luke cleared his throat and sat down. " Lake is umm….busy?" He questioned. Ashlyn laughed at his reply. Lake was still probably looking for what to wear. It would be surprising if she doesn't take forever to get ready.
The trio waiting a few more minutes until Luke received a message. "Aunt and Uncle are outside." He informed them and turned to look at the Rolls-Royce outside.
The window rolled down and Ashlyn gulped when she saw her grandmother's face. She looked away and took a deep breath in. "This is going to be a very interesting birthday party." She mumbled and caught a glimpse of Lake's frozen state. Lake nervously made her way to them.
"I didn't know grandma would be here…." She told them. Luke sighed. "Neither did I." He replied and they made their way outside.
A bodyguard stepped up and lead the twins and Li Zi to another car in the back. Ashlyn didn't bother to ask and she made her way inside the first car. She sat down on the black leather seat and looked at her grandma.
"Grandma….." She called out.
"Humph!" Her grandma didn't look towards her and refused to acknowledge her. Ashlyn pouted. "You didn't miss me?" She sulked.
Ashlyn had not seen her grandma since she married Conner. It made her sad to think that her grandma is so stubborn.
"Show them to me." Her grandma replied. Ashlyn sighed. She took the crystals from her purse and placed them on her grandma's palm.
"Grandma I was able to retrieve the dagger unconsciously," Ashlyn told her. Her grandma finally turned to look at her in surprise. "Show me." She answered. She wasn't smiling but Ashlyn could see the sparks in her eyes.
Ashlyn closed her eyes and took a deep breath in. She then opened them and her eyes had turned red again. Her grandma finally smiled when the dagger landed elegantly in palm.
Ashlyn sighed in relief and closed her eyes again. "It's a bit tiresome." She mumbled. "Of course it is. Your mother had some painful days when she was learning. Thankfully you were trained by….."Her grandma didn't even bother talking about Conner because she knew her mood would dampen again.
Ashlyn felt an arm wrap around her and the car started moving. Ashlyn opened her eyes and smiled, she hugged her grandma back. "I missed you." Her grandma whispered. "Why don't you come back? I don't want you near your father ever again." Her grandmother told her sternly.
More then anyone her grandmother was the one most upset by her father. She felt guilty for not being able to take her from the brown family after her mother's death. When her mother died her grandmother thought that if Ashlyn stayed with her father she would be able to mourn with him.
Unfortunately, that was not how things went.
If only Ashlyn had reached out to them. Before she knew it her granddaughter had married someone from the Bianco family. Ashlyn stayed quiet and that upset her even more. Why did her grandaughter never speak up for herself? Is that what her mother taught her?
Did she and her mother teach Ashlyn to stay quiet and hidden? It isn't just her but the whole family. Those who knew Ashlyn were surprised. It just isn't her.
Ashlyn sighed. "I will. I just want to make my mom proud." She replied. Her grandma sighed as well. "You want me to get these into one? It will be disturbing to carry them around your neck all the time." Her grandma referred to the crystals. Ashlyn nodded at her idea.
Her grandma started examining the dagger as she spoke, "Once you settle down, come back to LA and get ready to be the next heir." Ashlyn snuggled into her arm and didn't say anything.
Her grandma returned the dagger with a warm smile and she kissed her forehead. "As always, my granddaughter is the most talented." Ashlyn chuckled.
"What can I say? I got the best genes from my mother's side." Ashlyn winked playfully.
******
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