Chapter 284 Forever Losing the Right Leg
She asked and then just waited, all quiet-like, for Damian to say something.
But Damian didn't say a word.
Time dragged on, like molasses, this awkward silence just hanging there.
Ashley took a shaky breath, feeling like she might just keel over if she didn't. "That day, I was with my brother. We had just rolled into Sylvania, totally clueless about the place. My brother was job hunting but kept getting the boot. He was in a foul mood, so I suggested we go for a drive to get some fresh air."
She didn't mention the car was a rental.
"We were cruising around, about to head back, when outta nowhere, this group of people rushed us, shouting my brother's name, demanding he go with them. They looked sketchy as hell, and of course, my brother wasn't having it. They started brawling. I was scared outta my mind, but there was no one around to help. We managed to get back in the car, but they chased us up the mountain. And then..." Ashley's eyes were swimming with tears, making Damian's face a blur, not that she wanted to see it anyway. "And then, the car went off the cliff. We made it, but my brother busted his right leg."
She shut her eyes, not wanting to see Damian at all.
It hurt too much.
Her heart felt like it was being stabbed and twisted by a knife.
Damian still didn't say anything.
The silence was driving her nuts, like death itself.
Finally, Ashley said, all disappointed, "Mr. Hearst, just go."
Her voice was soft, but it hit like a thunderclap.
Damian didn't even remember how he got out of the hospital room. Just a few steps, but it felt like forever.
He was scared that once he left, he might never be able to come back.
But if he stayed, Ashley might totally lose it, and her condition would get worse.
He couldn't push her any further.
Three years ago, there was an incident he wished he could forget.
A lot went down when he hated her the most, causing damage that couldn't be undone.
Back then, in his rage, he was trying to track down the money that got swiped from his company. He finally traced it to Dorian Astor, only to find out Dorian had skipped town to Sylvania overnight.
In his fury, he hit up his guys in Sylvania, ordering them to bring Dorian back, no matter what.
All he wanted was to drag Dorian back for questioning. But during the capture, those guys forced Dorian's car up a mountain road, and eventually, Dorian and the car went off the cliff.
But he didn't know Ashley was in the car, too. His guys only said Dorian wasn't cooperating, so they used force.
He didn't care for unnecessary details, so his guys only gave him the highlights.
They didn't know Ashley was a highlight, too.
After that mess, Damian never brought up the Astor family again, nor did he chase the money. Because of this, he had no clue what went down with Ashley during those three years in Sylvania.
For the past three years, the Astor Group had vanished from the public eye. Damian thought Dorian Astor had died in the crash.
It wasn't until later that he accidentally found out Dorian was still kicking, but he had no idea how Dorian was living.
If he hadn't driven to the cemetery to pay respects to Faye and accidentally seen Ashley, he wouldn't have known she was back in Rochester City.
He sat quietly in his car, watching Ashley bow to the tombstone through the glass. Her slender figure seemed to sway in the wind.
He clenched his fists in hatred, fighting the urge to rush down and break her neck in front of Faye's tombstone to avenge his sister.
But in the end, he saw Ashley kneel and cry loudly. She curled up on the ground, looking like a torn rag doll.
He couldn't make sense of his emotions.
Her crying made him feel all soft inside.
Her frailty made him feel sympathetic.
Even crazier, he found himself forgiving the person who had betrayed him, used him, and caused his sister's death!
It took him a while to realize he had fallen for Ashley.
But it was way too late.
The gap between him and Ashley seemed unfixable.
And Hendrix had no beef with Ashley. With her soft-hearted nature, she'd eventually warm up to him, and then...
No, he couldn't bear to think about what would happen next.
Damian lit a cigarette, staring out at the line connecting the distant mountains and deep sea through the hospital's back window, feeling as lonely as a stone statue.
Hendrix's second surgery dragged on longer and was more complicated.
When Esme heard that Hendrix was hurt again, she yanked out her IV and bolted to his room, with the nurses chasing after her. "Hendrix, how did you get hurt again? What happened?"
Lying in bed with pale lips, Hendrix turned to look at Esme in her hospital gown. "Esme, why aren't you resting? What are you doing here? I'm not a doctor; I can't treat you."
Even though Esme caught his sarcasm, she didn't leave. Instead, she said with concern, "You look so pale. How did this happen? The last surgery was supposed to be a success."
Hendrix's mind was still on Ashley's tears. He hadn't calmed down all night. The more he thought about it, the happier and more smug he felt. Thinking about Damian's expression made him even more pleased. "There was a little accident, but it's nothing serious. I'll be fine."
Esme, with her head and arm bandaged, didn't look too well either. Hearing his words, she smiled, "As long as you're okay. This whole thing made me realize that just being alive is the greatest fortune."
Hendrix didn't respond.
He didn't want to.
A silence followed.
Esme wasn't great at starting conversations or making people feel comfortable. Plus, Hendrix's injury was tied to her dad. It made sense Hendrix didn't want to chat with her. She couldn't afford to throw a fit now.
Suddenly, Hendrix asked, "Where's the best dessert shop in Limehof?"
Esme lit up. "You want some dessert? The shop's desserts aren't as good as homemade ones. I'll have the chef whip up something for you. What do you want?"
Esme was glad to have found a way to keep the conversation going.
Hendrix didn't explain much. She thought he wanted to eat, so let her think that. "A bit of everything so I can try them."
He wasn't sure what Ashley liked. Damian had given her so many options today, but she hadn't touched much.
Esme happily agreed, her eyes shining. "That's easy. Our pastry chef is a Michelin-starred chef from Eurostan. He can make at least two or three hundred kinds of desserts. You can take your time to try them."
Hendrix smiled. "Thanks, Esme."
Esme was already thinking about her favorite desserts to have made for Hendrix. "No need to be so formal, Hendrix. We're all friends."
Hendrix said, "Esme, they say there are no eternal friends, only eternal interests. Don't think too highly of me, or you'll be disappointed. It's better to keep things clear."
Hendrix didn't claim to understand women well, but most women's thoughts revolved around a few things: love, money, revenge, or a mix of the three.
People said women were complex, but women were the simplest creatures.
Esme, feeling rejected, awkwardly smiled. "It's okay. Time will tell. I believe once we get to know each other better, you'll change your mind. Have a good rest now. I'll contact the chef to make preparations, and the desserts will be here by tonight."
