Ash's pov ;
One day, when Samantha fakingly blamed me for breaking our mother's favourite cup and my mom scolded me, something inside me snapped. The accusation was the last straw. I remember the way Samantha smirked at me, her eyes glinting with satisfaction as our mother's fury turned on me.
"Why did you break this, brat?" Mom's voice was cold, sharp.
"No, I didn't," I protested, but my words fell on deaf ears. Samantha stood there, playing the innocent victim as our mother's anger flared.
"You're lying! Why can't you ever just be good?" she screamed.
In a blind rage, I pushed Samantha. I didn't mean for it to be so hard, didn't mean for her to fall out of the window. But she did. The next few moments were a blur of screaming, the sound of shattering glass, and Samantha's terrified cry as she plummeted.
By some miracle, she survived the fall, but she was seriously injured, to the point she almost died.
My mother's response was immediate and brutal. She beat me brutally, each blow filled with her pent-up anger and disappointment. Then, she locked me in my room without food or water for two days. I cried and begged to be let out, but she ignored my begging.
But did I feel bad or guilty for what I did? No, I didn't. I wouldn't have felt sorry even if Samantha had died that day.
And that's why everyone used to call me a freak and weirdo. The emotion of remorse, I was unable to feel it.
Eventually, the news reached my father. He came running back from abroad, panic-stricken and furious. When he found me, weak and trembling in the room, he scooped me up and held me tight.
I could never forget the look on his face, a mix of anger, sorrow, and desperation.
My parents had a massive fight that night. Their shouting echoed through the house, the words "divorce" slicing through the air like a knife.
My mother proposed it, and to my shock, my father agreed. I lay in bed, listening to their argument, somewhat feeling satisfied.
I was the cause of this. I was the reason my family was falling apart. But I was extremely pleased that I would no longer be with Mom and my sister.
After the divorce, my father decided to channel my energy and intelligence into something new. He got me into acting. He would take me to his company, and introduce me to actors, and soon, I was mingling with child actors.
I found a strange solace in it. On set, I could be anyone but myself. I could lose myself in a character, forget my past, my mother, and the anger that still simmered inside me.
Acting came naturally to me. I excelled quickly, landing roles that earned me awards and accolades. For a while, I thought I had found my place. But soon, it all felt eerily familiar.
The same jealousy and hatred that had shadowed my childhood followed me into this new world. Other actors resented my success, whispering behind my back, and casting envious glances my way.
But this time, I was ready. I was stronger and more resilient. The anger that once overwhelmed me had become a tool, something I could control and use. I learned to fight back, not with physical force, but with cunning and manipulation.
I remember one particularly vivid instance. A fellow child actor, David, had been spreading rumors about me, trying to sabotage my reputation. He thought he could bring me down, and steal the spotlight. But I was always one step ahead.
One day, I overheard him talking to the director, trying to get me removed from a project. My mind raced with possibilities, each one darker than the last. I could confront him, and expose his lies, but that would be too easy, too direct. Instead, I decided to play a different game.
I started spreading my own rumours about David, subtle at first, planting seeds of doubt in the minds of the crew. I would "accidentally" let slip that he had trouble remembering his lines or that he was difficult to work with.
Or that he's having an affair with his sponsor who was in his early fifties. Which wasn't exactly a rumour because later after some investigating, it all turned out to be true.
I saw the worry in the director's eyes grow with each passing day. He confronted David who said that his parents knew about it and forced him to do it. The director immediately took action, and the sponsor landed in prison.
After that, many other actors tried their luck with me. But I dealt with all of them, and a dark satisfaction would fill me when I watched them replace and pack their things with tears in their eyes.
They had tried to bring me down, but in the end, they were the ones who fell. It was a victory, but it was also a reminder of the darkness within me, the part of me that relished in these small, vengeful victories.
Even now, as I think about my mother returning, I can't help but feel a twisted sense of anticipation. Part of me wants to confront her, to show her how strong I've become, despite her neglect. Another part of me fears what I might do, and the darkness that might emerge.
My phone rang, snapping me back to reality. It was Elijah.
Annoyed, I hung up immediately. He was the last person I wanted to deal with right now.
A few moments later, a text message popped up. "I'll pick you up at 7 pm."
I frowned at the message. Who did he think he was, dictating my schedule like that? And why does his non-recyclable trash think I'll willingly go anywhere with him?
Without a second thought, I blocked his number. I didn't need his meddling right now. I had enough on my plate.
************
Elijah's pov ;
I tried to call him again and again but he never answered.
After the tenth call, I felt a surge of frustration and anger. I grabbed the phone and threw it across the room, watching as it skidded to a stop against the wall.
I called my secretary. "Tell me how things are going at Luxe Gemstone," I demanded.
There was a pause before he replied, "Sir, they're on the verge of bankruptcy. We've made sure they don't get a single client."
So, why is he still so proud and stubborn? Had he given up on his company so soon? Or maybe he had decided to go after someone new to take advantage of.
"That person he's always with. Noah. What's his position in the company?" I asked, my irritation growing.
The secretary began to explain immediately, aware of my wrath. "Mr. Noah Frost is the Chief Operations Officer at Lux Gemstone. He's the backbone of the company, overseeing all major projects and maintaining key client relationships. His strategic vision and leadership skills have kept the company afloat despite the financial struggles. He's well-respected in the industry and has a reputation for turning failing businesses around. Not easy to deal with at all."
I clenched my fist, feeling a wave of irritation. So, that's what was attractive about Noah to Ash. A big fish.
"I'm leaving," I snapped at the secretary.
As I got into my car, I couldn't shake the anger and frustration. My grandmother was finally out of the hospital, and the first thing she wanted to see was Ash. I couldn't understand why she adored him so much.
However I have to admit, Ash never treated Grandma badly. He always took care of her, and showed her respect.
But now that I'm aware of his true nature and his fake innocence, I couldn't help but suspect he was acting with her too.