Chapter 304 A Leisurely Chat Under the Moon
Moonlight always hit different, didn't it? Staring at that crescent moon hanging low, Ashley felt her heart tugged back to those good old days.
She hadn't thought about her teenage years in forever. Compared to her life now, those days felt like they belonged to someone else, like a past life.
She remembered her sweet sixteen, under a moonlit sky just like this. Her parents and Dorian had thrown her a cozy, romantic party in the backyard, with only the closest family and friends.
Dorian, looking sharp in his suit, sat at the white grand piano, bathed in moonlight, playing a beautiful tune just for her. She had a sweet cocktail in hand, dancing with her parents.
Everyone laughed and had a blast that night, partying until the early hours.
She danced with her dad, who, bless his heart, was so uncoordinated that her mom teased him, "You better practice next time, or you'll mess up Ashley's moves."
Her dad laughed, "Good thing Ashley didn't get my dance skills. She takes after you, and that's a relief."
Then someone joked, "Todd, in a few years, you'll be walking Ashley down the aisle! Daughters always get married."
Ashley froze, and the magical night turned to dust.
The same moonlight was in front of her now, but the dark living room and cold reality hit hard.
She lowered her arms, giving herself a bitter smile. The past was gone for good.
She took a sip of water, turned around, and let out a scream that could wake the dead.
She'd turned too fast and saw a shadow, tall and moving, like a ghost. Her hand shook, and the water cup crashed to the floor, shattering into pieces.
She was scared out of her mind.
Damian snapped back to reality at her scream and quickly said, "Don't be scared, it's just me."
Ashley clutched her chest, her voice trembling, "What... what are you doing standing there? You nearly gave me a heart attack!"
If she hadn't reacted so fast, she might've grabbed a knife. If she'd hurt him, then what?
"Why didn't you turn on the light? Are you that familiar with this place? Not scared of bumping into walls?" Damian clapped his hands, and a floor lamp lit up, cutting through the darkness. His figure looked even taller, merging with the shadow, making him seem more imposing.
Ashley's head pounded. Even with the light, she couldn't adjust right away. She snapped, "How was I supposed to know you'd pop out like a ghost in the middle of the night? What are you doing down here?"
"Getting some water," Damian said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Ashley kept a stern face.
Damian poured two glasses of water, picked up one, and handed it to her, "Weren't you getting water?"
Ashley didn't take it.
Damian frowned, "I can only use one hand. Do you want me to break my arm trying to pry your fingers open?"
Ashley was speechless.
She took the glass, still pouting.
Damian took a sip from his glass, "Can't sleep?"
Ashley snorted. If she could sleep, would she be here?
"I can't sleep either. Let's go for a walk," Damian said.
Maybe her heart was still raw, so Ashley's resistance was weak. She followed him outside.The outdoor breeze hit her, waking her up and clearing her mind. The garden looked magical under the milky moonlight, with plants and flowers draped in a soft glow. The sky was clearer than in the city, stars brighter, and clouds drifting lazily around the moon, making the light flicker.
Ashley stared at the moon for a bit, then glanced at Damian. He was lounging on the outdoor sofa, legs crossed, blending right in with the moonlight. "Still can't sleep, huh?"
Damian shrugged, "And you?"
"I mean, not just tonight," Ashley said.
Damian didn't deny it, "Yeah, it's an old issue."
"Have you tried getting it treated?" she asked.
She'd seen all those meds at his place in Imperial Residence. He'd tried so many, but nothing seemed to work. With the best doctors at his disposal, why no results?
"If it was fixed, I wouldn't be out here counting stars with you," Damian replied.
"You could try acupuncture. Maybe it sounds weird, but it can work for stubborn problems," Ashley suggested.
"Acupuncture?" He looked intrigued.
Ashley nodded. She didn't like Damian much, but she hated seeing anyone suffer from insomnia. Whether he took her advice or not, she was just trying to help. "My parents used it. It took a while and had to be combined with meds and physical therapy."
"Where do they stick the needles?" Damian asked.
"On the head. Insomnia's usually from overthinking, so you need to relax your brain. Find the right spots and stick with it, and it should help," Ashley explained.
Funny, a guy like Damian, overthinking?
He seemed more like the type to make others lose sleep.
Ashley had asked about insomnia treatments at the hospital before. The meds they suggested were similar to what Damian was taking, so she figured similar treatments wouldn't work.
She'd thought about helping him before, but life got in the way, and she forgot.
"I don't know much about acupuncture. If you know a good doctor, recommend them. I don't want to get scammed," Damian said.
Ashley did know one, the doctor who treated her parents. He lived over a thousand miles away in Coastal City. "I'll ask for you, but you'll have to go there and talk to the doctor yourself."
"Okay, but experienced doctors can be picky. They might not want to help me," Damian said, sounding almost defeated.
Ashley almost laughed. The mighty Mr. Hearst, worried about a doctor turning him down? "I'll contact him for you. He shouldn't refuse."
"Thanks," Damian said, mimicking her tone, a slight smile tugging at his lips.
Ashley's heart ached a bit.
She'd said 'thank you' before without feeling much, but hearing it from Damian felt like there was a huge gap between them.
Thinking about that earring, she felt her heart sink.
The moonlight flowed silently, seeping into the endless years along with time.
"Do you want to see Steven? He's waiting for you," Damian said.
Ashley still needed to gather evidence against Robert, so she couldn't leave, but... "Mr. Hearst, do you remember Robert from the Clearwater Bay Club?"
"Yeah, has his divorce case been settled?" Damian asked.
"Not yet. Brown's pretty good, saying my evidence isn't enough. The hearing's next Tuesday, and I need more solid proof," Ashley said, resting her chin on her hand.
"Do you want me to help?" Damian asked, his tone flat.
Ashley bit her lip, having not expecting him to offer help.
Damian chuckled, "Robert's evidence won't be harder to find than Alexander's. If you want it, I'll get it for you."
"You have it?" Ashley asked, surprised.
Damian's fingers gently touched the water glass, feeling its warmth. It wasn't the same as holding her, but it was something.
"If you want it, I have it," he said.
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