Ashley’s POV
I burst into my room, my head consumed with irritation and frustration. My hands slightly shook, fumbling over the buttons on my shirt as my breathing hitched in uneven gasps. Everything in my life spiraled so fast; I hardly had time to process anything, and now I was being thrust into something I never wanted, something that was no longer within my control.
I let out a slow breath, trying to steady myself before grabbing my bag and heading out.
The moment I stepped outside, my hurried steps came to an abrupt halt.
Two uncommonly good-looking men were standing beside a sleek black car, deep in conversation. Wearing casual clothes, yet appearing even more elegant due to the width of their shoulders and their confident postures, both were wearing an aura of quiet confidence. Their sunglasses further obscured their eyes, making them even more mysterious.
I found myself staring-no, shamelessly admiring them. My heart skipped a beat at the perfection that stood before me.
Was this the universe’s way of compensating me for all my suffering lately?
For a moment, there was silence in my chaotic mind.
Then, as if aware of my gaze, one of them turned in my direction. He reached up and slowly pulled off his sunglasses, exposing the same piercing eyes that always managed to unnerve me.
“Steven!” I gasped, my stomach twisting.
His lips quirked, but his eyes, well, his eyes never wavered. “Aren’t your eyes tired of staring?” he asked, an undercurrent of amusement in his voice, though I knew better than to believe that was what it really was.
Heat fled to my cheeks. I straightened up, then strode toward them, pushing my embarrassment aside.
I looked over at the other man standing next to Steven. Equally handsome but with a more approachable vibe, sharp facial features softened with a warm smile.
“Who’s… who’s this?” I stammered out-curiosity having gotten the best of me.
Steven cut in, his voice keens as an ice-pick. “You don’t get to ask any questions.” Cold eyes locked into mine. “I told you what would happen if you kept me waiting, and you’ve gone and done just that.
I opened my mouth to protest, but before I could utter a word, the other man chuckled. “Come on, Steven. We didn’t wait *that* long.” He turned towards me and extended a hand. “Hi, Ashley. I’m Liam, Steven’s brother.”
“Cousin Brother,” Steven corrected flatly before turning towards the car. “Let’s go.”
Liam was leaning a bit towards me, lowering his voice. “I know he’s a bit grumpy, right?”
I nodded, grateful that someone else saw how insufferable Steven could be.
“Don’t worry,” Liam said with a wink. “You’ll get used to it, just like I have.”
I highly doubted that.
We got into the car, Liam in the driver’s seat, me in the front passenger seat, and Steven in the back. The moment the door shut, the air inside felt heavier, as if Steven’s presence alone had sucked out any warmth.
“Where are we going?” I asked, shifting uncomfortably.
“Went wedding shopping,” Liam said, much lighter than the atmosphere in the car.
My body tensed. “Wedding shopping?”
Liam grinned. “Yeah. Just because this is an emergency wedding doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a proper dress. Steven may want to keep this wedding low-key, but trust me, the media will find out eventually. So we have to make sure you look the part. Besides, Steven is a big deal, and whether he likes it or not, people *will* be watching.”
I blinked, and my head took a while to catch up.
So, this was really happening.
“So…”
“Have you forgotten I don’t like noise in my car, Liam?” Steven’s voice cut in, high-pitched and excited.
Liam sighed. “Sorry, Alpha.”
I laughed under my breath.
Big mistake.
Steven must’ve caught it because, suddenly, his tone went ice-cold. “Did you just scoff at me?”
I didn’t answer.
“Stop the car,” he ordered.
Liam hesitated. “Steven-”
“Now.”
Reluctantly, Liam pulled over to the side of the road.
“Get out of the car, Ashley,” Steven said, his tone devoid of emotion.
“What?” I turned to face him, hoping I had misheard.
“I said, get out of my car and find your own way to the fashion house.” He motioned to Liam. “Hand her the address card.”
Liam seemed to hesitate before handing me a small card, looking at me in quiet sympathy.
Steven looked at his watch. “Be there in the next fifteen minutes, or your unconscious mother in the hospital will be the one to pay for your misdeeds.”
My blood ran cold.
“What?” My voice was barely a whisper.
“You heard me. Out.”
Liam gave me one last regretful look before driving off, leaving me alone on the sidewalk.
I stood there, frozen.
People around me passed on, their conversations turning into meaninglessness around me.
I clenched my fists, my chest tightening with rage.
“Be there in fifteen minutes, or your unconscious mother will pay for your misdeeds.”
Steven’s cruel words were still resounding in my head, and my stomach twisted in helpless fury.
I shut my eyes, breathing heavily.
“I hate you, Steven,” I grumbled before flagging a cab.
——
Mabel’s POV
I knocked slightly on the door, swinging it open and allowing me into the office. “Sir, I was informed that you called for me?”
Dr. James merely raised his gaze. “Ah, yes. Doctor Mabel. I asked you yesterday to visit the patient in room 32, which, if what I’m told is right, you did not do.”
My stomach dropped.
“Oh… I’m so sorry, sir. I had to perform an emergency surgery on another patient, and in the rush of things, I… I forgot.”
His eyes darkened. “You forgot?”
I swallowed hard. “Y-yes, sir. I didn’t mean to-”
“Do you have amnesia?”
“What? No, of course not-”
“Then why the *hell* did you forget?!” he snapped.
I flinched.
“What if that patient had an emergency? What if he had died because of your forgetfulness?”
“I-I’m really sorry, sir,” I said, my voice small.
“Just get out,” he muttered, rubbing his temples. “I don’t understand how all of you can be so careless.”
I turned to leave, relieved that the conversation was over-
“Wait.”
I stopped.
“I heard you’re related to the patient in room 14.”
I was tense. “Yes, sir. She’s my aunt.”
“She had a seizure this morning.”
My heart nearly stopped. “What?”
Dr. James sighed, looking at me with something close to pity. “She’s been in a vegetative state for six months. She won’t last much longer. You should consider donating her organs now. At least that way, she’ll be of some use to others.”
I stared at him, my mind struggling to comprehend his words.
“You “what”
“I’m just suggesting…”
“You have no right to suggest anything!” I snapped. “This is someone’s mother! Not everything is about science and logic. Miracles do happen! And she will not die!”
He blinked, clearly caught off guard by my outburst.
I turned and stormed out, my legs carrying me straight to her hospital room.
When I walked in, my chest tightened.
She looked so pale.
I sat beside her, reaching for her cold hand.
“You have to survive,” I whispered. “Ashley needs you. And if you never wake up… it will break her.”
Tears blurred my vision as I tightened my grip.
“Please… just hold on a little longer.