The Return of the Billionaire’s Prison Bride

Ashley "Ashley Carter! It's time to go home." I gazed up at the prison attendant as she ushered me to the iron bars. I felt a hand pull me back. I turned, and Amber pulled me into a tight hug. "I'm going to miss you, Ashley," Amber said as she hugged me tightly. I patted her back and said to her, "You'll be out of this place. I promise." Amber pulled back and wiped a tear from her cheeks. "I trust you." "Till we meet again," I said as I waved at her. I was ushered out of the cell. My heart was racing. I'm happy. It's been five years already. I can't wait to be home again. As we went out of the reception area, I was expecting to see my husband, but instead I met my best friend, Lilly. She waved me over. I was confused, and she could see that. When she saw my confused face, she said, "I'll explain to you in the car." I don't know what needs to be explained. I should be received by my man, not by a friend. What's going on? "I've missed you so much, Ashley," Lilly said as she pulled me in for a hug. "Where is Aiden?" I asked the question I dreaded asking. I need answers. She smiled, but anyone could see that it was forced. "I'll tell you all you need to know in the car. Please don't make it harder than it already is." I nodded and listened to her. She held my hand and ushered me out of the prison door. The hot sun hit my face. I can't wait to be home. I've missed home. I've missed my husband, who is absent right now. "There is our car," Lilly said as she pointed at the car waiting for us. I nodded and followed her. At this moment, if I don't speak, my head is going to explode. I need answers. "Where is Aiden? I need to see Aiden. He should be here with me. He should be the one waiting for me. Why is my friend here?" I asked, confused. She held my hand, and I could see the pain in her eyes. "Please, Ashley. I'll make sure I tell you all you need to know." I shook my head. "Please, just tell me what it is. Is he dead? Is he sick? Please just say something. I beg of you," I pleaded desperately. I need answers. She had tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Ashley. I wish I could make it up to you, but..." I shook my head, backing away. No... no, he can't be dead. Aiden can't just leave me. He can't be dead. He said he'll wait for me, so what's going on? Why is she acting this way? "Please don't tell me he is dead?" My lips trembled. I can't live without him. She quickly held my hand and said, "He is not dead. Listen to me, Ashley." "Then what is it? Talk to me, Lilly, please," I pleaded. She was finding it hard to tell me. What is it? She doesn't need to take her time. "He... he—" "Please say it already. I can't wait to hold him. I can't wait to hug him. He is the only one I trust." Lilly nodded. "I get it, but today that same man has betrayed you, Ashley. I don't know how to say this to you. It hurts me that you'll be hearing this from me." I held her hand firmly. "Just tell me what it is, please." "Ashley, that man is done with you. He is getting married today to someone else," she revealed, and it felt like the world was falling. I don't want to believe this. This can't be real. This can't be. "No... no... He promised. He said he'll wait for me. He can't marry someone else," I shook my head in denial. She couldn't help her tears. Since I knew Lilly, she was never one to be teary, but seeing her this way makes me want to believe her. Still, I'm finding it hard to. This betrayal is too much to bear. Aiden promised. "He promised me," I whispered. She shrugged. "But he did betray you. That bastard betrayed the love you have for him." I couldn't hold back the tears. "I... I need to see him. I need to confirm it with my own eyes." She shook her head. "I won't let you go to that cheat. I won't let you go see that dimwit." "He is my husband, Lilly. We have a company to run together," I said. She glared at me. "You think that man remembers you? Where is he, Ashley?" "I need to go see him," I said firmly. "Please don't go there. You'll only be hurt, and I don't want that for you." "I need to see him. I need to speak to him. I want to hear it from his lips." She knew there was nothing she could do to change my mind, so she agreed to my wish. We got into the car. The ride was cold. My heart was racing. I don't know what I was going to meet, but I need to confirm with my own eyes. *** There were cars outside the venue. I could literally see some familiar faces going into the venue. Lilly held me still in the car. "Ashley, are you sure you can bear what you're about to see?" she asked, and I nodded. "Yes," I said to her. She held my hand sadly. "Always remember that you have me." I nodded with a forced smile on my face. "Let's go." We got out of the car, and together we headed inside the building. I could literally feel eyes on me. I don't really care. All I need is a clear answer. I've gone through so much that I don't give a damn what they all think about me. Their stares were judging. Lilly held my hand as we walked deeper into the room. At this moment, all eyes were on me. They were all shocked to see me out of jail. Of course they'll all be shocked. I rolled my eyes. I searched the room with my eyes, and they landed on him. He caught my gaze and was shocked to see me. I smiled. "There he is." Ashley let me go as I walked up to him. "Ashley?" That was when I saw who was standing next to him. Hanna? My twin? "Hanna?" I whispered in shock. She glared at me. "What are you doing out of jail?" she asked, annoyed. I scoffed. "What's going on here?" Aiden had an irritated look in his eyes. "Who let you in here?" "It's me, Aiden." "I know who you are. Who let you into the building?" I tried holding his hand, but he hit my hand away. "Let me go, you filthy—" I paused in shock. "Aiden, it's me, Ashley. What's going on, Aiden? Please don't do this to me." "I don't want a gold digger in my sight. Get out of this place," he yelled at me. I almost shuddered at the weight of his voice. "We are married, Aiden. Don't you remember?" "You heard him. Get out of the building. You've always been desperate. You always want what I wanted, but not this time. Now I have my man with me," Hanna said, taunting. She lifted her fingers and said, "As you can see, we are married." It felt as though a knife pierced my heart. This can't be. "But... but we are married." "It doesn't matter anymore. The marriage has been dissolved. You don't have to worry about that," Hanna said, but Aiden didn't say anything. He doesn't look like my Aiden. I went for his hand again, but he pushed me this time. I stumbled back but felt a hand hold me firmly. I turned, only to see Dad staring at me. "Dad?" I called desperately, needing someone on my side. "I'm sorry, Ashley. Hanna is whom Aiden wants. Can you let this go already?" I was disappointed. Dad is always supporting Hanna. Same with Mom. They don't even remember that I was supposed to be out of jail today. None of them came to get me. None of them. They even hosted a marriage on the day of my release. I'm deeply disappointed. "Please stop this nonsense, Ashley. Your sister is now married to Aiden," I heard Mom say. She stood beside Dad with a distasteful look. "He is with Hanna, so let it go." I can't believe these are my family. They've always preferred Hanna to me. They let Hanna's innocent look deceive them. What hurt me more was Aiden acting like we never shared a good moment. "Aiden, you loved me. Remember? You always said that to me." He glared at me and grabbed Hanna by the hand. "Everyone listen up. From this moment on, Hanna is my wife. Ashley is out of my life. She is nothing but a gold digger." Hearing that made me freeze. What is this about? A gold digger? How? What did I do? "A gold digger?" "Now GET OUT!" he yelled at me. Aiden had never raised his voice at me. I can't believe this whole thing. "You all will regret this," I heard Lilly say as she dragged me out of the place. I wasn't in my senses. I didn't even know how to react to the whole situation.