READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 6: you shall be punished
Ashley Pov.
The car soon came to a stop and we both stepped out. "Wow," I muttered without holding back. As expected of a first-class heir, the mansion before me was like a well-crafted design out of a fairytale book—the white shiny floors which shoned with my reflection, the sunlit gardens just beyond its towering walls. The grand chambers adorned with paintings and well-painted portraits of the Hale household. I walked in carefully following behind Alexandrai so as not to miss my way. The mansion was not only beautiful but huge.
Within the blink of an eye, I couldn't tell how many turns we had taken or how to make my way back to the front. The coldness from within did not bother me, I was far used to it. The staff stopped to greet and quickly went about their day. I walked behind Alexandria steadily trying hard to keep up with his quick pace and soon we came to a halt.
"Here is your room ¬and this is mine" he points over to the room directly opposite mine. "You are not to leave without permission, not to enter without being ushered in and if you need me you shall have someone call on me" I quickly nodded, not wanting to stay another second in his presence. It was becoming hard to breathe without his approval.
He walked into his room and I needed not to be told to hurry into mine slamming the door hard behind me. Staring at the nicely furnished room with walls a mix of purple and white, a small smile crept on my lips. It was my favorite color combination and only my parents knew of it. I fell to the ground holding my legs tight against my chest sobbing quietly. At this point, I had too many questions that I couldn't process. I had a good childhood, they loved us both but where had I gone wrong? I gave them all I could, I took care of them and paid every bill they ever demanded even those which were not brought to my notice.
Five months it has been and now I have questions churning within me desperate for answers. I couldn't cry forever so I picked myself up from the floor. If they could kill me and forget me even in death, then why should I hold them closer to my heart? I was done crying, done waiting. For the past five months, I diligently followed the news but nothing was said of my death or the kidnap, I was gone ¬ erased from the face of the earth like I did not matter.
I don't know how much time passed, but it was soon night, and the clear skies had darkened with very little light. I dusted myself up; there was no need to slug over spilled milk. I quickly got into the shower and soon came out with a towel tight over my chest, only to meet the sight of my estranged owner. I watched the team he had brought with him; it wasn't the first time I had seen everyone.
"Mrs Hale, we should get you ready," Ian said, positioning the stylist and makeup artist. He did not have to stay in the room to watch over me, at least not when I had the devil himself staring at me like a feast for the gods. Everything soon happened fast and without knowing I was standing at the entrance with my hands tucked into that of my devil husband. Standing before a house I had built with my sweat and money brought me Deja Vu. Their pictures on it did not look pleasing, at least not to my eyes.
"This way Mr. Hale" the velvet ushered in. Every step felt like I was floating. I had bought the land in his name, I was there for every brick that was laid and I had the house customized to his liking. I did the opening ceremony but I had been shamelessly driven out like I was a thief. I could feel my breath slow, my heart beating a steady rhythm as I grasped the hands of my devil husband firmly. I did not care if he would choke me to death when I was home, I needed some sought of support and his presence alone brought me that. The tension in me only grew with each step forward.
Even before we arrived at the main entrance I could hear whispering around. At the door, the crowd turned. My silver dress hugged my body firmly leaving my back empty and my long dark hair covered it justily. Alexandrai dressed in his usual formal black tux let go of my hand. I could tell the guests were not only surprised at seeing me but also seeing me in the company of Alexandria Hale.
"Isn't that the disgraced ex-wife of Edward Camfrey? Don't tell me she claimed her way to the bed of Alexandria Hale!" The words became even vicious as my devil husband stepped away entangled with other business tycoons leaving me at the mercy of the city's gossip mongers. Blackmont is a place I've lived in and nothing matters to the wealthy landladies than watching the reputation of another fall off. I walked in gliding through the room. A wine in hand and nodded to the polite greetings. From a distance I watched my parent's faces turn white as their gaze fell on me. Samantha looked like she just saw a ghost while Edward was visibly angry.
I could only watch and dig my nails deep into my skin. I have never enjoyed being the center of attention but now I was getting more than I could handle and my husband just watched from the side a wide smirk spread across his lips. This was his plan and he wasn't going to save me if I can't save myself. I watched Samantha match her way towards me while Edward followed behind like an obedient teddy bear.
"You have some guts to show up here don't you Ashley? He divorced you already got over it" Samantha yelled and I just stood blankly staring at her like a lost lamb. I opened my mouth but my words wouldn't come out, deep down I wanted to yank her by the hair and pull every strand of it off but that wouldn't be wise. Of all people, I knew what cruel things she was capable of. I could still feel their every kick, the punches down my guts which have kept me awake on more cold nights than I can count.
"Mis Samantha Mansfield, right?" I smile tightly, cross-checking every word of mine before letting it fall off my lips. "I've heard so much about you but I can't help but think you've made a mistake. You confuse me with another. This should be our first meeting if my memory serves me right" Samantha laughed. She flipped her hair to the back, taking my hand into a firm grip. Her grip was so strong and nails dug into my skin, but that pain was nothing compared to that which she had subjected me to. It was nothing compared to their heavy kicks and punches.
"First meeting Ashley? That's all you could come up with?" She scoffed bitterly that her disdain could be smelled from miles away, but it was an act and I had to keep up with it while pleading that my husband would say a word in time. "Indeed we haven't met, but it was kind of you to have extended an invitation for my husband Mr Alexandrai Hale, and I. We love to see couples thrive for our love story isn't a bed of roses" I turned his eyes fixed on me like a hawk watching its prey.
¬Does he enjoy watching me suffer? Well I know he does¬ I had to save myself. "You should let go now, Miss Mansfield, we wouldn't want to scare this spotless skin of mine, you can't afford its damages" I seized my hand from her firm grip. I turned to the couple before me. It was Monterrey. A close friend of my husband's. Madam Monterreys looked like she had just seen a ghost. "It was nice meeting you" I turned but my body was forcefully pulled behind and my hands tackled to the back.
"You should know I will recognize you anywhere Ashley" Edwards chilly voice rang down my spine. His hands slowly wrap around my slender waist, his cold breath on my ears. Everyone was watching, their eyes carried disdain, mockery, and even disgust. My body felt weak under his touch. I wanted to scream and push him, scream and tell him I was not his ex-wife but I couldn't move, I found myself trapped like I was five months ago.
I turned my pleading gaze on the one person who could help, I watched him walk over his steady steps bringing more light into my life. His cold black eyes swept through the hall and every breath could be heard, every whisper hushed. "Mr Edward Camfrey," he hushed, staring down at me.
His icy cold hands grab mine quickly spinning around and soon in his arms. He was warm despite the chilly air, his body felt comfortable and I leaned in for more warmth. " I think you got the wrong bride, this one is my woman." His gaze focused on my lips and I soon felt his cold lips pressed against mine. The world seemed to stop and all I did was savor the moment for nothing was left, but to him, this was not a kiss. It was defeat, power over me, his method of showing me once again who is in control, who I belong to. He muttered a few words yet so powerful.
"You shall be punished, Ash!"