Ashleys Pov.
The weight of the memories in my mind was too much to take in, as the memories of the past flooded my mind, I could feel the weight of my suffering bearing down on me, but deep down all hope was not lost. There wasn't much to take, not when I barely looked after myself for the past two years married to Edward.
I dragged what was left of my belongings out of the mansion I had bought with my money. It all felt like a sick joke but that was my reality. The servants all whispered and stared but my head stood high. I wasn't going to lose to their pleasure, I wouldn't give Samantha the satisfaction she seeks.
From the front, I turned one last time. From above the staircase they watched beaming with happiness. I let out a bitter laugh, it was over and now I was heading back to my roots. I wasn't even allowed the cars I had bought, how humiliating. Dragging my luggage out on the streets, I could feel the peeping eyes of paparazzi, the stern and mocking looks from other nobles, and the waging humiliation hovering on the horizon.
Hailing a cab in this path of the city was hard, everyone owned a personal transport means not just one but two at most. Their looks alone made her body crawl, no one offered help, and they all watched with scorn as if I had been the one who cheated. They all acted as though cheating him cheating with my sister was right. No ounce of pity, not that I needed any but their looks served as a reminder.
Everyone was willing to stay in the good grace of my now ex-husband. The soon-to-be Governor of Blackmount County. A position I had brought to him. It was I who stayed up late drafting proposals and meetings. Introducing him to the right people at the right time, breaching contracts and connections but now all my efforts were nothing but fractions of my lost glory.
I felt trapped, forced to endure the pain of betrayal and starting over while my sister enjoyed the yielding of my hard work. The streets were quiet and I soon made my way to the highway where I got a cab. I don't know how much time passed but I soon arrived. The familiar white walls of the gated building I had walked out of happily like a mocking laugh of what I've become. I made my way inside, everyone staring like I was some freak. The disdain in their looks made me weary and uncomfortable. I was no stranger but their looks were enough to make me realize just how far I'd fallen.
"Stop there!" a thundering voice echoed, stiffening my body. She walked out gracefully, her lips up in a sneer. By her side, he stood ever so obedient and waiting to obey every word and command of hers. "Where do you think you're heading, young lady?" I raised my eyebrow. Was that meant for me? I turned, but other than me, there was no one else.
"Im home Mom" The words fell out like a plea for recognition. This was home- the walls of this mansion had heard my name echo more than I could count. Her graceful smile tightened, and her hands pointed toward me like a piece of garbage. "You don't belong here- the Coyle will have nothing to do with an unfilial daughter, a disgrace to her husband and the society" I wanted to scream, to question her actions but to escape before I could find words to express the turmoil boiling within me.
"Samantha slept with my husband, they cheated on me and you are throwing me out?" I turned to my father with pleading eyes, desperately needing his intervention but like always he stood by her side like a lap dog waiting to be petted. "It was hers, to begin with, why can't she take it back?" my mother's emotionless voice rang like a church bell in my ears. It was hers she said.
"It was my marriage, my life, and my husband and you act like I stained your perfectly white garment. You look at me with so much disgust like I tainted the very existence of what you hold sacred but I am the one wrong. I am the one in pain yet you turn a blind eye and choose your perfectionist daughter... Where did I go wrong, mother? Was it when you had me at the hospital or when you found out you carried me for my existence has always been a question with the treatment you throw at me" Her face remained calm her eyes darkened with something sinister.
"You should have been a son" was my escape. The second chance to rise from the rags I have been cast into. The family I had hoped would call their daughter to order now turned their back on me, the home I had dreamt of finding solace in closing in on me. "Father" my trembling body let out a cry of desperation, one last attempt to wake him up to act like the head of the family he ought to be but his eyes shifted from me and were charmingly staring at his wife.
"You should listen to your mother Ashley. You brought this upon yourself "I took a deep breath trying to steady myself, trying hard to push down the anger and frustration that threatened to consume me. I had to survive this, the pain of losing everything I ever cared for and the cruelty of my family served as a lesson weighing heavily on my wounded heart.
My heart searched for answers I didn't have, all I knew was that I was tired of fighting but I had to find a way out of this new me. I had to keep going, find a way to survive, and find something meaningful in this new life despite the odds crushing me every being. I close my eyes, taking another deep breath as I try to calm my racing thoughts. The earth beneath me swayed but I was determined not to let them see me cry. I raised my head to the sky letting my tears fall back.
"So be it" I choked watching the satisfied look on my parent's face. There was no hint of pain or regret. The victory in their eyes was the same as Samantha's.
Finally, I felt the silence of my new path eating through me, I was alone- utterly alone. I drag myself out the gates which close instantly behind me sending waves of coldness at my back. I turned to take the cold empty street but my thoughts did not wander far. I halted suddenly, a gasp escaping my dry cracked lips as a sharp pain pierced my head. A rush of dizziness swept over me and for a moment the world tilted like I was falling deep into the earth's crust itself and total darkness swept me away.