Ash's pov ;
When we reached Grandma's house, I was shocked to see Samantha getting out of another car. My mood which was already on edge, took a nosedive into fury and frustration.
"Elijah!" She immediately ran to Elijah, grabbing his arm with that infuriatingly sweet smile on her face. "Finally, you are here. I was waiting for you for a long time."
Elijah's face surprisingly remained impassive. "What are you doing here?"
She smiled innocently as her hand slid down to grab Elijah's fingers. "I'm here to see Grandma. I was so worried about her that I couldn't wait to meet her."
Seeing her touch Elijah, my stomach twisted in knots.
"Oh," He simply let out, quickly retreating his hand from hers and crossing them over his chest.
Of course, he won't let me see it to prove that he's not creating. But I already have proof. Those photos and videos.
Then Samantha turned to me with a naive expression and soft voice. "Ash, are you here to see Grandma too? She'll be so happy to see you. I thought Elijah was joking when he said he would bring you to meet Grandma. I told him how stubborn you are, and since you both are…you know divorce. You might not want to come. But…here you are. Standing…right here."
She's clearly jealous that I'm here. I know her better than anyone else. "Shut up, please! I know how much you hate seeing me here," I snapped.
Her expression turned to one of mock hurt. "Ash, there's no need to be so mean. I was just asking. Why do you hate your elder sister so much? Just like you, I also love Grandma and came to see her. I even took permission from Elijah. But if you want, I'll leave-
"No need to leave," Elijah scowled at me. "What's your problem? She's just trying to be nice."
I clenched my fists as I looked directly into his eyes. It took him long enough to defend her and go against me. Impressive!
"My problem? My problem is that you two are a pair of liars and cheaters who clearly cheated behind my back and are now denying it. Man up Elijah and accept it."
I watched as his jaw tightened and he was clearly holding himself back. He gave me a disappointed look and I glared at him back.
"You know what? I'm trying so hard not to do anything that might hurt you but you're making it impossible," He threatened and I feel like his words weren't just threats.
But I'm not scared of him. He already has hurt me so much. But if he thinks it's not enough. I'd like to see him trying.
"Elijah, please don't say anything to him. He's still my little brother. I don't want him to get hurt because of me," She gasped, her eyes filling with tears.
I opened my mouth to say something but closed it again, knowing he would stand up for her again.
This is the first time in so long that I found myself completely alone, craving a need to be isolated. I felt like I was drowning, unable to catch my breath. I felt like an outsider in my own life.
I could barely contain the anger and despair inside me. And the worst part was.
He has the audacity to say that he didn't cheat on me or doesn't love Samantha. I just want to kill him.
He disposed of me when things got easy for him. The darkness inside me whispered that he was just like everyone else—like my mother, like Samantha, like those kids, like those actors, and like that…director on that night.
I flinched and tightly shut my eyes as the flashbacks of that night flashed through my head. I felt my skin crawling, like someone was constantly pinching it.
No, don't remember it! Don't remember it! You're fine now. It happened a long time ago. No need to be scared now! Elijah would keep you safe–
My eyes snapped open to reality and a bitter laugh escaped my lips. He would not keep me safe. He's the one who's hurting me now just like everyone else did.
I have to keep myself safe. No one else would do it for me. I don't want to turn back to being that person, that I was in the past, but the world is pushing me there, and I'm running out of strength to resist.
Because it would be hard to deal with myself when I no longer have Elija with me to control my dark self. I used to feel tamed, controlled, and secured by his side, but now...now it seems like I will fall deeper into that darkness, and the scariest part is that no one can help me, no one can save me.
But what's the point of saving me, anyway? I have no worth, I have nothing to offer. My only talent is to ruin everything.
I was furious. He didn't know anything about me, or how much pain I was in. He didn't understand the darkness inside me, the demons that haunted me every night. He had no right to judge me, no right to tell me how to behave.
"I hate you!" I yelled out and his eyes widened in rage. "I fucking hate you!"
"You-" he started but stopped when he saw angry and hot tears in my eyes.
"Why do you have to keep ruining my life, Elijah? Why can't you just leave me alone?" I cried out.
But he quickly turned back to his cold self and rolled his eyes. "Oh, c'mon. I almost believed your tears but forgot you're an actor. If I didn't know any better, I would have said that you were genuinely sad and heartbroken. You're so talented at this. Good job, my little actor."
His words were like a slap to my face. I couldn't believe he would say something so cruel and insensitive. But that was the thing about Elijah; he always managed to hit me where it hurt the most.
And in that moment, I could hear the thread of conscience and sanity breaking inside me waking up a part that I had spent years trying to bury.
And I laughed suddenly. His face darkened and his jaw tightened, his eyes narrowed into slits. "What's so funny?"
I kept laughing, the sound maniacal and unhinged, I wiped my tears. "And here I thought you would be influenced by my tears, that you would feel some sort of emotion. But you're still the same stone-hearted bastard. You'll never change. Humph! Wasted all my tears for nothing."
If he hates me so much, then why should I hold back anymore? I turned around and entered the house.
All this time, I had been trying to keep things together, to salvage something out of the wreckage of our relationship, but what was the point? If he wanted to see me as the villain, maybe it was time to play the part. Maybe then, I could finally let go of this torment.
Inside, I was greeted by Grandma, her warm, familiar embrace momentarily easing the storm within me. She had always been a source of comfort, her love for me unwavering and pure.
"Ash, my baby, you're here," she smiled, her voice filled with genuine affection. Her eyes sparkled with unconditional love.
I forced a smile, hugging her back tightly. "It's good to see you too, Grandma."
She pulled back slightly, studying my face with concern. "You look disturbed, dear. Is everything alright? I heard some rumours about a divorce..."
I hesitated for a moment but Elijah's harsh words were still echoing in my mind.
Grandma had always adored me, treating me like her own grandchild. And I feel guilty for lying to her. She has every right to know the truth instead of being kept in the dark by that bastard for his selfish sake.
Maybe it was better to tell the truth and end this charade.
Taking a deep breath, I met her worried gaze. "Grandma, it's true. Elijah and I…we are divorced now."
Her eyes widened in shock, and she took a step back, clutching her chest. "No, Ash. Why? What happened between you two?"
Seeing her reaction, worry instantly surged through me. Shit! I forget she's just out of the hospital. "Grandma, please, sit down. Let me explain."
But she continued to stand, her face pale and her breathing labored. "Did you have a fight? Did Elijah do something to you? If he did, I'll scold him myself. But you shouldn't end your relationship like this, honey."
I reached out to steady her, panic rising in my chest. "Grandma, please, calm down. I…I didn't want to tell you like this."
She shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "I can't believe this. Why? What's the reason? No! Say, that it's a lie–ugh! Oh my God!"
I tried to sit her down but she wouldn't listen. "Grandma, it's complicated. Elijah and I…we just couldn't make it work anymore.
Just then, she clutched her chest tighter, her face contorting in discomfort. "Grandma!" I screamed, fear gripping me as I saw her struggling to breathe.
She collapsed into my arms, gasping for air. "Help! Somebody, help!" I shouted as my voice echoed through the house.
"Grandma!" I heard Elijah's voice when he entered and his eyes filled with fear when he saw her condition. "What happened to her?"
"Grandma, she…she collapsed," I stammered, my voice trembling with anxiety. "W-We were talking and….One moment she was fine, and the next..."
I tried to explain, my words tumbling out in a frantic rush, but Elijah was already at Grandma's side, lifting her gently into his arms. "We need to get her to the hospital."
He announced and ran outside.
I moved to follow him nervously but before I could reach the car, Samantha blocked my path, her expression cold and hostile. "Stay away from him," She spat hatingly. "Elijah doesn't need you. I'm here with him, and I can take care of him. You should just disappear from his life as soon as possible."
Leaving me feeling lost and alone, she got inside the car with him as they drove away.
I stood frozen in place as my whole body trembled. I just pray that she'll be fine because one, she is too precious to be hurt because of me, and second.
Elijah will kill me if something happens to her and he finds out that I told her about the divorce.