Chapter 83 Damian's Brutality, Retribution
"Ashley, our mother's mental fortitude has been improving recently, and she insisted that we contact you. We fear that once you return to Rochester City, you might become entangled with Damian once more," came the voice on the other end of the line.The speaker changed, and it was now Blair Ember, her endearing sister-in-law.In a soft voice, Ashley responded, "I understand."Blair spoke up, "Releasing someone you love should cause them pain, not you. You're merely losing a fool who didn't appreciate you. But he's losing a wonderful woman who genuinely loved him."Over the past three years, Ashley had offered endless comforting words. During her sleepless nights, she would secretly purchase alcohol, taking her to the rooftop to drink, converse, curse, and jointly vent their frustrations at Damian.Tears began to pool in Ashley's eyes once more. "Yes, he'll soon realize that no other woman could love him like I do!" Blair forced a smile, her voice laced with concern. "Things may be difficult now, but isn't it worth it since we get to hold onto each other as a family and spend more time together?"A lump formed in Ashley's throat as she thought about her brother. In a previous life, he must have saved the universe to have ended up with such an extraordinary woman!During the most challenging times, Ashley had depleted her savings and even borrowed from her parents to cover the financial gaps her brother was facing. But when her parents realized that the Astor Group was hemorrhaging money with no end in sight, they pressured them to divorce.Ashley refused, and her family warned her that it would mean severing all ties with them.Her own family had forsaken her to save themselves.For Blair, it was a crushing blow.Yet, here she was, uttering such noble words, and Ashley felt humbled."Thanks, Ashley. Knowing you're there for Mom and Dad puts my mind at ease. Mom mentioned I should come home before the year's end—is something up?"Blair played coy. "Good news, but I'll fill you in once things are more certain. Just know there's no need to worry. Things will get better day by day."Ashley felt as if a ray of light had pierced through the dark clouds overhead; her family's support and companionship were her endless strength."I'll accompany Mom to hail a taxi. You should head to bed. It's already the wee hours back home. Don't stay up too late. You'll lose hair, silly girl."Ashley playfully agreed, "Okay, big sis, I'm off to bed."She hesitated at the elevator, her resolve to take that final step eaten away.KM Road was like a mighty oak – winning just one game for them could silence many critics, and even if her identity were revealed, respect for KM Road would prevent too harsh words.But with or without KM Road, she wasn't one to stay down.After much deliberation, Ashley chose to respect her parents' wishes.The next morning, the first thing she did was pack her personnel and move into a hotel.She couldn't afford to get entangled with Damian any longer.He must have been furious after she missed last night's rendezvous. It's better to have a clean break.Her phone rang.Ashley closed her suitcase, hesitating as she looked at the name on the screen.If Damian were calling, it would only be to reprimand her."Damian," she answered, trying to remain calm."Ashley, quite the personality showcase, taking me for a fool, huh?" he said, his anger evident."Sorry for calling things off at the last minute," Ashley apologized sincerely.Fuming, Damian demanded an explanation.There was no fooling him, so Ashley came clean, "I..."But Damian hung up.Ashley was puzzled. Didn't he want an explanation? The least he could do was have the patience to hear her out.Three minutes later, the doorbell rang.Ashley hadn't expected him to be so persistent, to show up at her door. Of course, a face-to-face confrontation always carried more weight. She composed herself for the explanations she had crafted, took a deep breath, and opened the door.Damian stood there in casual wear, his freshly styled hair framing a face that showed a hint of fatigue and his clothes carrying the scent of tobacco as if he'd been marinating in a smoke-filled room for hours.His eyes, clouded with dark storms, fixed on her as he propped himself against the doorframe, looking down. "Talk."His single command, heavy enough to bring a storm, weighed a ton on the listener's psyche.Ashley's heart wasn't as strong as his, her resolve faltering, especially since she was the one who had failed to show up, the one without an excuse. Her tone was unavoidably conciliatory. "First off, I apologize for last night. As for why... it just doesn't seem right for us to enter into that kind of arrangement. I don't want to barter my body for success. I would love to collaborate with KM Road, but only if you value my talent, Damian."Damian offered her a smile so cold it could freeze hell over. "Don't tell me you're trying to be saintly."Knives hurt less when you're used to being cut. Ashley lifted her chin to meet his gaze. "Damian is a man of taste and distinction, never one for women who throw themselves at him. I've been burned once; I'm not looking for a second round."A scornful snort escaped Damian.
Ashley, possessing an uncanny knack for linguistic acrobatics and twisting truths, had an exceptional talent for getting under his skin. His gaze slid past her, landing on the neatly packed luggage. "Ready to play the elusive damsel, I see. You've always been full of surprises," he remarked."If I can't earn your approval, Damian, then I have no right to remain under your roof. I'm leaving today," Ashley declared, her voice steady. She had no desire to be an unwelcome presence any longer.It was a rare occurrence for anyone to incite Damian's wrath, but Ashley had an uncanny ability to locate and ignite his short fuse. "In your dreams!" he retorted, his voice booming.In the blink of an eye, Ashley's world plunged into darkness as Damian's towering form bore down on her. His lips claimed hers with a forceful dominance that silenced any protest, his tongue effectively muting her words.She was taken aback, never expecting such a response from him in this electrifying moment."Mmh!"Her fists flailed, pounding against him in a futile attempt to push him away. But her blows against his solid, muscular back were as ineffective as ripples against a rock, only serving to fuel his audacity.He tightened his grip, his muscular arms, hardened from years of physical training, wrapping around her waist and back. He pulled her into his embrace with an intensity that bordered on excessive.From her lips to her collarbone, each of his advances was punishing. His touch was devoid of tenderness, rough and fierce.A sharp pain lanced through her shoulder, eliciting a gasp from Ashley. "Damian, you're..." It was too much!Damian shifted his attention back to her mouth, silencing her with a kiss. He then dipped his hips, effortlessly lifting her into his arms.His strides were swift, his demeanor leaving no room for argument. Each step he took was heavy with lethal intent.It wasn't until he tossed her onto the bed with a force that Ashley realized the gravity of his intentions. "What are you doing? We're not married, what you're doing is..." She couldn't finish her sentence. Damian had already flipped her beneath him, pinning her hands above her head with an iron grip while his other hand roughly tore at her clothing.The sound of fabric tearing echoed in the room. Her clothes were reduced to shreds.The comforter was discarded, leaving only the latex mattress, against which Ashley's smooth back was painfully rubbed raw.Damian restrained her flailing legs, swiftly forcing his way between her tightly clenched knees. This familiar ritual signaled a new beginning, their bodies slick with sweat as he panted heavily.In that suspended moment, he looked down at her. "Ashley, you brought this on yourself!"
