Ash's pov ;
"Don't worry Mr. Blackthorn. We'll took you out of this mess soon," the manager said.
But the words were not reassuring at all. I can't imagine the amount of hate I'm going to receive.
However, one thing that was I was sure was that Elijah is not doing this to me just because I divorced him. There really is a big reason behind all of this.
The Elijah I used to know and understand wouldn't stoop so low just because I asked him for divorce.
So, why the fuck is he doing?
The officers took me in a black car which had tinted windows. They drove me straight to the station. When we arrived, there were crowds of reporters outside, their cameras trained on the car.
As the door opened, they were ready to swarm me, but the officers held them back.
"Please leave, we are just taking Mr. Blackthorn for questioning," One officer let out.
"Is it true that you tried to kill your own sister?!" A reporter yelled.
"Please step aside," the other officer commanded.
The reporters parted and the officers led me into the building, through a labyrinth of corridors and past several locked doors. Finally, we arrived at a dimly lit interrogation room.
"Have a seat," the first officer said, gesturing to the metal chair in the center of the room.
I obeyed, the cold steel sending a shiver through me. And then they left me alone, the door slamming shut behind them.
I could only stare at the wall as I waited for my fate to be decided.
Time passed slowly while my mind was hazu it kept replaying the events of the last few weeks over and over again.
Sitting in this cold, sterile room, I can't help but drift back to the early days of our marriage. I remember how I would eagerly wait for Elijah's return from work, hoping for just a hint of affection or connection. Or to have dinner with him. But he would only scold me for not going to sleep early.
He never showed me any hate but was still indifferent. Though I always thought that he was grumpy and tired from work.
I recall the countless times I tried to bridge the gap between us, initiating conversations, planning outings, but it was always me taking the lead. Elijah remained distant and uninterested, as if there were a chasm between us that I couldn't breach.
My heart clenched in my chest as the memories washed over me, and a single tear slipped down my cheek.
Now, as I face the consequences of his hatred, I realise how blind I was to his true nature. I never imagined he could be capable of such ruthlessness, of orchestrating a scheme to destroy me without a second thought.
It's a bitter pill to swallow, knowing that the man I once loved could backstab me in such a callous manner. But amidst the wreckage of our shattered marriage and my impending imprisonment, one thing becomes painfully clear: I will never underestimate Elijah again.
I don't know how long I was sitting there when the door finally opened, and an officer entered. He was holding a thick file in his hands, and his expression was stern and impassive.
"Mr. Blackthorn," he began, "Your friend and lawyer is here to meet you."
He stepped aside and motioned for Noah to enter the room. My breath hitched in my throat as our gazes met, and I could see the anguish written plainly on his face. I felt my heart crushing for dragging him in my messed up life as well.
Because of me he lost his job.
Noah approached me slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. "Ash!" As soon as I stood up, he pulled me into a tight embrace, his hands shaking slightly. "It's alright…" he whispered.
I clung to him desperately, my fingers digging into his back.
As Noah reluctantly released me from his embrace, his expression shifted from concern to anxiety. He took a step back, his eyes filled with sorrow as he delivered the crushing news.
"Ash," he began, "I…I'm sorry. We couldn't secure you a bail."
My heart plummeted into the pit of my stomach, and an overwhelming dreadful feeling washed over me. "What do you mean we couldn't get bail? But you said..."
Noah shook his head, his gaze dropping to the floor. "I tried everything, Ash. But the evidence against you…it's damning. They're painting you as a killer already and the judge…they wouldn't budge."
A knot formed in my throat, choking back the flood of emotions threatening to eat me. "So, what happens now?"
He hesitated, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. "They're going to remand you into custody pending trial," he explained, his words heavy with regret. "I'm going to keep fighting, Ash. I promise. But for now..."
Desperation clawed at the edges of my mind. How could everything have fallen apart so quickly?
"Was Elijah the one who sabotaged my bail?" I questioned in a hoarse voice.
Noah's face twisted with disgust. "He is not answering anyone's calls, not even the cops," he seethed. "But yeah, that's what we think. He must've paid off the judge. The bail was outrageously high."
"Of course," I scoffed bitterly. "Of course, it's him. That bastard. He played me like a puppet. Every smile, every gesture of affection—it was all a facade. And I fell for it hook, line, and sinker. God, what a fool I was to ever believe in him."
Noah's gaze was pained, his hand squeezing my shoulder comfortingly. "I'll be back tomorrow, Ash," he promised. "I'll find a way to get you out of here. I know what I have to do."
******
Elijah's pov ;
Sitting alone in the darkness of my office, my mind couldn't rest. It was a strange feeling to be free.
But why did I feel so suffocated?
I took out another bottle of alcohol and poured it into the glass.
As I drank it in one gulp, I remembered the way Ash looked when I said those words to him. It was almost as if his soul was ripped out of his body.
He looked so broken and defeated, and I could tell that I had hit a nerve.
I have never seen him cry like that.
I've hurt him badly. Just how I wanted to. But then, why did a sharp pain stab at my heart when I saw his tears?
The way he pleaded with me, the desperation in his voice. Why didn't I feel the satisfaction I was expecting?
God, I'm such a fool and he's such a good actor.
I laughed loudly and poured another drink, drowning out the thoughts of him.
I'll never let him use his manipulation tactics on me. Never.
"Elijah?"
I turned to the source of the voice. Samantha was standing there as she entered, closing the door behind her, her hair falling around her shoulders, and her lips painted red.
I felt a bit annoyed. I wanted to be alone.
"You've been drinking again," she sighs and comes to me where I was sitting on the sofa.
"What are you doing here?" I asked simply, tossing back another shot.
She shook her head and sat beside me. "You shouldn't be drinking so much, Elijah. You know that."
"My head was going to explode if I didn't," I shrugged nonchalantly.
"Elijah, look at yourself," She scolded. "You're a mess. There's other ways to deal with your problems than drinking."
"Oh, yeah?" I scoffed, a mirthless laugh escaping my lips. "And what would you suggest? Therapy? Talking about my feelings?"
"No, none of them. It's just..." She suddenly slid her hand over my arm, his voice going soft too. "I'm just worried about you. I'm here for you, okay? And if you want I can help you forget your pain and all your sorrows."
Her voice was weirdly innocent contrary to the things she was suggesting.
I looked in her eyes, they resembled so much of Ash's.
My heart twisted in discomfort, and I turned away, a sudden wave of nausea washing over me. I drank more to numb the ache, but it did nothing to quell the growing storm within me.
Suddenly, her hand began to unbutton my shirt.
"What are you doing?" I asked, a sliver of alarm creeping into my voice.
She smiled slyly. "Helping you forget," she murmured, her fingers moving deftly. Her face was harmless, but there was a dangerous gleam in her eyes. "I know you, Elijah. You're hurting, and you need to feel something other than pain."
My shirt was now fully unbuttoned, and her hands moved to my belt. My body crawled in disgust but I let her. Not because I wanted it or because I was horny, also not because my body wanted her, but to see if I could do it with someone who's not Ash.
As she stripped me, her eyes roamed over my body, drinking in every inch of me. She bit her lip, a look of hunger on her face. "You're so beautiful, Elijah," she breathed, her hand moving to caress my face.
"Stop!" The moment her skin touched mine, a jolt of electricity ran through my body, and I flinched involuntarily. She withdrew her hand, a flash of hurt crossing her features.
My stomach churned and I gagged, holding myself from puking. I violently shoved her hands away and coughed.
As expected my body only craves Ash and no one else.
"Sorry," I apologized, trying to hide the revulsion in my voice. "It's not you. It's just—"
"It's because of him, isn't it?" She interrupted, her eyes flashing with jealousy. But her expression quickly changed into an awkward smile when I gave her a confused look. "What I mean is...that you still love him, right? That's why you can't let him go?"
"That's not—" I tried to deny, but she cut me off again. "I never loved him."
"I understand, Elijah. It's okay," She shook her head, though I could still make out the disappointment on her face. "You can't just stop loving someone overnight. I'm not mad, and I'll never judge you. We're friends, and I'll be here for you, no matter what. But you need to realise that he doesn't love you or even care about you. So, what's the point of clinging to him and wasting your time?"
Before I could answer her, I heard a commotion outside my office and then suddenly the doors burst open.
"Sir, you can't just burge—" My secretary let out nervously. But the person, whom she was stopping was already inside.
"I must talk to that bastard today-" Noah yelled but stopped short when he saw me and Samantha in a compromising position.
His eyes roamed over my bare torso, and the anger in his eyes flared, burning white hot.