While I Was Dying, He Watched Fireworks With Her

er Patrick's face. "Yo

been cheating on me? You used to stick to me like glue no matter how ofte

shley's face slowly turned pu

ever loved?" She managed to speak. "Once you div

rick eased his grip befor

on. "I've told you she's nothing more than a friend n

ll recent, and the struggle had left her chest throbbing with pain. She clutched it while

eep those accusations to yourself. If you ever confront he

on't want this marriage anymore. You give me $20, 000 a month and expect me to handle every household expense with it

ored again. She stayed down until the pain eased, then grabbed

here was no hesitation in her decisi

and opene

don't expect another chance with me. Five years ago, you were a helpless woman with

r chest constr

car accident had wip

he had wandered the streets alone. Before

trapped her, ripped at her c

s bodyguards chased the men away, and to Ashle

aining that it would silence his family's

ated Patrick as her only lifeline. She eventually fell fo

ught he wanted-quiet, obedient, and easy to please, taking

f the house and straig

of her confusion. For the first time in ye

g her days serving Patrick and waiting for him. She was Ashl

had been buried with the memo

e came over the line. "Ashley? Is that really you? Where ha

, she murmured, "Mom, I'll tell you everything o

she had cried. "Of course, sweetheart. I

lly recovered a

eing an Edwards. She was Starlight, the famous paint

to take back the life that

reached her sh

ds family's residence, her parents had

en cried, tears streaming down her

solute businessman, yet seeing his daughter a

em into a tight embrace.

he outside world. Instead, she had stayed home, looking after Patrick and his parents. That was

at she was partly responsibl

another voice suddenly broke into the emot

jerked towar

neatly styled hair framed her shoulders, while her gentle features made

er head curiously

why a stranger was standing

ctions before Eileen could say anything, steppin

ou disappeared five years ago, your father and I were completely broken. We couldn't accept that you we

ey could do nothing but s

en knowing her own identity, her parents had filled t

elieved you would never return. Leanne helped us through

anation stirred that old, bitt

py that you've come home. There's just a little problem. Mom and Dad gave your old bedroom to me, so you'll probably

clearly pleased by what she saw as

eep it. I've never been interested in anything

ass, filled it with water, and held it out to Ashley with the same innocent smile

g, the glass tilted

as the water splashed over Ashle