CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
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I finish eating some takeaways , l eat those lately . I head to my son's room to check on him, and he's fast asleep. I gently close the door and make my way to my own room, exhausted.
As I enter my room, I sense a presence. My heart skips a beat. I know someone is here. I try to tell myself it's just my imagination, but deep down, I know. I know who it is. My ex.
I feel a chill run down my spine as I see a shadowy figure in the corner of my room. My heart racing, I try to stay calm. I tell myself to breathe, to stay strong. But my body betrays me, trembling with fear.
He steps forward, his eyes gleaming in the dark. I see the sinister grin spreading across his face, and I know I'm in grave danger.
Alex :Hey, Ashley, We need to talk
I try to speak, but my voice is barely a whisper.
Me : What do you want?
He takes a step closer, his eyes locked on mine.
Alex :You know exactly what I want.
My heart sinks, and I know I'm in for a long, terrifying night.
He wants us to get back together and be a couple once again, he says with a smug look on his face, looking like a man who hasn't been taking his drugs in a while, his eyes darting back and forth, his arms scratching compulsively, and his nose rubbing continually, a twitchy, agitated motion that makes my skin crawl.
Alex :We were good together, Ashley
he says, his voice dripping with entitlement, as if he genuinely believes I'll just forget the pain he caused me.
Alex :We were great.
I feel a wave of revulsion wash over me, but I try to keep my cool, to not let him see how much he still affects me. I need to get him out of my house.
Me :Leave
I say, my voice firm, trying to hide the fear that's threatening to surface.
Me :Just leave.
But he doesn't budge, his eyes fixed on me with an unnerving intensity, his grin growing wider, as if he knows something I don't.
Alex : Oh, Ashley....we're not done yet. Not by a long shot.
Oh no, oh no, oh no. I know that look in his eyes. I know what he's capable of. I try to run, but he's too quick. He catches me, his grip like a vice around my arm. I feel a surge of adrenaline as he spins me around, his hand cracking across my back in a vicious backslap.
Alex : Who do you think you are? (his face twisted in rage)You think you can just dump me after everything I've done for you?
I try to speak, but my voice is trapped in my throat. I'm paralyzed with fear.
Alex :Giving you a son wasn't enough, huh?
he spits, his breath hot on my face.
Alex : You ungrateful bitch.
He's walking closer, his eyes blazing with fury. I can see the anger pulsing through his veins like a living thing. I know what's coming. I know I need to protect myself.
But it's too late. He's on me now, his fists flying, his words a torrent of abuse. I'm trapped in a nightmare, and I can't wake up.
Me : Please,
I beg, my voice barely audible.
Me :Stop.
But he doesn't stop. He won't stop until he's broken me. Again.
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I arrive early at work, grateful for the spare keys I got when I was cleaning. I use them to enter the house, my eyes scanning the room for Ashley. She's always early, so I expect to see her soon. But after five minutes, she's still nowhere to be seen. I start calling out for her, heading up the stairs. Neo starts crying, and I rush to his room, scooping him up in my arms. I try to shush him as I walk out of his room, but he's having none of it.
As I approach Ashley's room, I notice the door is slightly ajar. I sigh, thinking she might still be getting ready. But as I stand outside her room, calling out for her, I get no response. A sense of unease creeps over me, and I push open the door.
Oh. My. God.
My heart stops as I take in the scene before me. Ashley's lying naked on the floor, in a pool of blood. I feel like I've been punched in the gut, my breath knocked out of me. I'm holding Neo so tightly, I'm afraid I might squeeze him too hard. He's still crying, but I'm barely aware of it.
Ashley, oh my god, Ashley. Please get up. Please be okay. I take a step forward, my legs shaking beneath me. I'm in shock, I think. I'm trying to stay calm, but my brain is screaming at me to do something.
Neo's cries seem to fade into the background as I stare at Ashley's lifeless body. I'm in a nightmare, and I can't wake up. This can't be happening. Not to Ashley. Not to anyone.
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