Chapter 65
I sat in the bathtub, staring blankly into space. My head throbbed with a dull ache, and a heavy weight pressed against my chest. The warmth of the water slowly seeped into my frozen limbs, but it did nothing to ease the numbness inside me.
Ashton had seen me naked countless times, so I felt no embarrassment as he silently helped clean me. Steam soon filled the bathroom, wrapping us in a cocoon of warmth. He worked methodically, his touch gentle yet distant.
Once I was dry, he wrapped me in a soft towel and carried me to the bedroom. Without a word, he dressed me in clean pajamas before seating me in front of him, a towel in hand. The silence between us was thick with unspoken emotions.
“Don’t fall asleep just yet. Let me dry your hair first,” Ashton murmured, his earlier anger dissipated.
I didn’t reply. My eyes remained shut as I leaned against him, exhaustion washing over me.
The hum of the hairdryer filled the air, a warmth brushing against my scalp. It felt surreal—like a fleeting moment of peace that didn’t belong to me.
“Scarlett.”
I opened my eyes slowly, meeting his gaze.
He pulled me into a gentle embrace. “Come downstairs with me.”
It wasn’t a request. It was a command. Before I could react, he lifted me effortlessly and carried me out of the bedroom.
Downstairs, Rebecca sat in the living room, her damp hair hanging loosely around her face. Joe was beside her, looking mildly annoyed. My eyes flickered to him—when had he arrived?
As soon as Rebecca spotted me in Ashton’s arms, her expression darkened with jealousy. Without hesitation, she stood and reached for Ashton’s arm. “Ash, are you really going to abandon me?”
Her voice trembled, her eyes red-rimmed, yet she still managed to sound pitiful.
I shut my eyes briefly, biting back my exhaustion. Why had Ashton brought me downstairs? To witness this?
“Rebecca, stop it. Joe will take you home.” Ashton’s voice was firm.
Joe nodded, standing. “Let’s go, Rebecca.”
But Rebecca wasn’t ready to let go. Her voice rose, laced with desperation. “You all think I’m unreasonable, don’t you? My brother is dead, and now, everyone wants to cast me aside!”
A sharp laugh escaped my lips.
Rebecca turned to me, her eyes burning with resentment. “What’s so funny?”
I tilted my head, my voice cold. “You, Rebecca. You use your brother’s death to manipulate people. Do you feel no shame?”
“You’re talking nonsense!” Her face flushed with anger.
I chuckled bitterly. “Nonsense? Look at yourself. Standing here, wailing for sympathy in someone else’s home. This house belongs to Ashton and me. You have no place here. So leave, Rebecca.”
Her fingers clenched tightly, her gaze flickering to Ashton for support. But this time, he didn’t waver.
“Enough,” Ashton said sharply. “Joe, take her home.”
Rebecca’s lips parted as if to protest, but Ashton had already turned away.
I didn’t stay to listen to her pleas. Without another word, I walked upstairs, shutting out the voices behind me.
Lying in bed, my head ached, my eyes burned. I reached for my phone and dialed Macy’s number.
The line rang for a while before she finally answered. Her groggy voice came through, laced with irritation. “Scarlett, do you know what time it is?”
I glanced at the clock—2 a.m.
Guilt gnawed at me. “Macy… I think I’m sick.”
She immediately sounded alert. “What’s wrong? Go to the hospital! Is Ashton with you?”
I opened my mouth, but no words came out. How could I explain an illness that wasn’t physical?
After a pause, I forced a chuckle. “It’s nothing… I just miss you.”
Macy sighed, her voice softening. “You can’t sleep?”
I hesitated, then murmured, “Mm. But you should. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
After ending the call, I curled into myself, pulling the blanket tighter around me. The world felt unbearably quiet.
I had never felt so alone.