Ashley's reputation as a love goddess weighed heavily on her shoulders. She was expected to exude happiness and perfection, never revealing her true emotions. But beneath the façade, she was trapped in a nightmare.
She couldn't ignore the brutal reality: any boy suspected of being her boyfriend would be mercilessly punished, forced to endure the horrors of a Lincoln trial. The dormitory, once a sanctuary, became a prison, as the boy would have nowhere to hide.
Ashley's thoughts were consumed by guilt and regret. She berated herself for letting her guard down, for allowing an innocent boy like Eric to be dragged into this abyss. The weight of her responsibility crushed her.
The most infuriating aspect, Ashley thought, was the school authorities' tacit approval of the brotherhood system. This toxic tradition had been passed down through generations of Amazon Academy students, perpetuating a cycle of violence and fear.
As she sat in class, Ashley's eyes felt dry, her heart heavy with the knowledge that she was trapped in this never-ending cycle.
As Jenna entered the classroom, Ashley swiftly transformed her sorrow into a facade of amusement. Her tears, once a symbol of grief, now sparkled with feigned laughter, as if she had just heard the most hilarious joke. Jenna's expression changed from concern to relief, her eyes gleaming with reassurance.
Jenna had been worried that Ashley might have developed feelings for Eric, but Ashley's sudden laughter dispelled those concerns. This was the reputation Ashley had to uphold – the carefree, ever-smiling goddess, untouchable and unattached. The mask she wore was a heavy burden, but it was a necessary one, protecting her from the prying eyes and wagging tongues of her classmates.
Eric lay motionless in one of the hospital beds(in the nurse's office), his upper body swathed in bandages, leaving only his nose and mouth exposed. The severity of his injuries would have been unbearable for any ordinary student, but Eric's physique, honed from his daily workout routine and his grandfather's military lineage, had allowed him to endure the brutality.
The Braun Brothers, well-versed in the art of controlled violence, had carefully calibrated their blows to incapacitate Eric without killing him. The Lincoln trial was designed to render the offender unconscious, and in Eric's case, it had taken an extraordinary amount of force to achieve that goal.
Eric's injuries were a testament to the brutality he had faced: five broken ribs, severe internal bruising, and a slight concussion from the impact of hitting the floor. Even his eyes were hidden behind bandages, making it impossible to discern whether he was awake or asleep. His expression remained eerily calm, a mask that concealed the turmoil beneath.
Ashley's voice was barely audible as she sat beside Eric's hospital bed. "Eric, none of this is your fault," she whispered, her words laced with regret. "If I had told you about the system, maybe this wouldn't have happened." She struggled to hold back tears as she continued, "I just... wish I could be a normal girl, hang out with you like anyone else... But most of all, I want to know... if you'll ever forgive me."
The silence that followed was oppressive, and Ashley assumed Eric was still unconscious. She spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper. "Don't worry about it, Eric. I'll be back to see you again" As she turned to leave, a weak but familiar voice called out her name.
"Ashley... how many times are you going to come here?" Eric's voice was frail, but it sent a surge of surprise through Ashley. She spun around, her eyes wide with wonder. "Eric, I thought you were...!"
Eric's response was laced with a hint of amusement. "I was awake each time you came, but I thought it was a dream at first. Every time I heard your voice, I tried to call out to you, but I couldn't speak. My throat's a little better now though." After a brief pause, Eric's voice took on a softer tone. "Now that you're here, can you sit and talk with me?"
Ashley returned to the chair, her eyes locked onto Eric's bandaged form. Eric's voice, though weak, held a hint of introspection. "I knew about the system, Ashley. I was actually a fan of it. I thought it was a necessary measure to maintain trust among us. Only those who betrayed that trust would be punished."
Eric's expression turned somber, his eyes clouding over with regret. "But I never imagined a punishment as brutal as a Lincoln trial could be inflicted upon someone due to a misunderstanding. I remember how disappointed I was in Lincoln when he was accused of betraying our trust."
Eric's gaze drifted back to Ashley, his voice tinged with curiosity. "Ashley, were you really in a relationship with Lincoln?"
Ashley's response was solemn, her voice barely above a whisper. "No... I wasn't."
Eric's smile was faint, but genuine. "I thought so," he whispered, his eyes filled with understanding.
Ashley's hands remained clasped over her face, as if trying to shield herself from the painful memories that swirled in her mind. Eric's gentle voice cut through the turmoil, offering a comforting presence.
"None of this is your fault, Ashley," Eric said softly. "You're just a normal girl, caught in a twisted system. It's not your fault that people can't see beyond their own biases."
Ashley's struggle to compose herself was evident, her body tense with repressed emotions. Eric's words, though soothing, seemed to have little effect, as the memories continued to haunt her. A faint grunt escaped her lips, a testament to the pain that still lingered.
Eric's voice remained calm, a beacon of tranquility in the midst of Ashley's turmoil. "I want to be with you, Ashley," he whispered, his words hanging in the air like a promise.
Ashley's hands slowly dropped from her face, her eyes locking onto Eric's as if seeking confirmation. Her voice was barely audible, her words a whispered question: "Be with me?"