Chapter 6
1310 Words
ELOWEN ASH'S POINT OF VIEW!
Elowen's head was drenched in hot water.
It slid over her skin and disappeared down the drain.
She stood still in the shower, not moving or blinking.
The bathroom was full of steam, which covered all the mirrors.
The sound of the water was drowned out by her thoughts.
The plane.
Jackson's warning.
The gates of the mansion opening.
The guard's voice trembled.
The Beast.
Silas Blackwell.
Her mind kept going around the same questions.
Who was he?
Why was he coming?
And why her?
The guard said the note was clear.
The most important thing to William Ash.
She almost laughed at the thought.
A dry, bitter laugh that wouldn't go away.
Valuable.
That word was not hers.
Not in her father's world.
Not in his home.
Not in his life.
People thought William Ash was a strong man.
A person with a billion dollars.
A person in charge.
A man who was both feared and admired.
But she knew what was true.
She had been there.
His care was just a show.
A nice mask.
Refined and practiced.
No one ever thought about it.
They saw the money.
The command.
The ideal picture of a family.
They never saw the bruises.
The quiet.
The fear that was in her bones.
The water kept flowing.
Her shoulders drooped a little.
What did Silas Blackwell want from her?
Strength.
Revenge.
A note.
She had no idea.
But she was sure of one thing.
She was sick of being a piece on someone else's game board.
She took a slow breath and reached out to turn off the shower.
The sudden silence felt heavy.
She stepped outside and looked in the mirror.
It was covered in fog.
She lifted her hand and cleaned it off.
Her reflection looked back at her.
Her hair was dripping with water.
Her eyes looked darker.
More mature.
A small smile pulled at her lips.
Her dad wasn't enough.
A mafia king was also looking for her now.
The idea was almost funny.
She said, "My life is a joke."
It was strange to hear her voice in the quiet room.
She shook her head slowly.
Don't cry.
She had made a promise to herself.
Not today.
Not again.
She stood up straight and left the bathroom.
There was a big walk-in closet just outside the door.
When she walked in, the lights came on.
The walls were lined with clothes.
There was still everything.
Just like she left it.
As if time had stopped.
Like she had never tried to get away.
As she walked, her fingers brushed against the fabric.
She stopped by the area with clothes for everyday wear.
Her hand was hovering over the hangers.
Time for dinner.
She was aware of the rules.
Clothes for formal events.
The best posture.
Complete silence.
William Ash didn't like wearing casual clothes at the table.
He hated being pushed.
She smiled a little.
That made it easy to choose.
She took out a plain gray sweater.
Then pants that are black.
Simple.
Soft.
Not right.
She thought about what his face looked like.
The jaw that is tight.
The eyes that were cold.
It made her feel a little better.
He could yell.
He could hit.
He could put her in jail.
But tonight, she wanted to make him mad.
He needed her to look good.
Marriage deals didn't like things that were broken.
That idea made her stomach turn.
She got dressed quickly and looked at the clock.
She couldn't breathe.
Almost eight.
Her heart skipped a beat.
She ran out of the room and down the stairs.
Her steps made a loud noise.
Guards kept an eye on her as she passed.
Their eyes followed her clothes.
Making judgments.
Reporting.
She opened the doors to the dining room.
The clock was the first thing she saw.
Five minutes behind.
Her pulse went up.
Her eyes slowly moved to the table.
It took a long time.
Black.
Big enough for more than twenty people.
There were dishes all over it.
Each plate was carefully placed.
The silverware was perfectly lined up.
Four maids stood in the corners.
Still.
Quiet.
She looked up at the head of the table.
There sat William Ash.
Waiting.
He stared at her.
Her chest got tight.
His eyes were cold.
Only cold focus.
She saw her own reflection there.
Pain.
Anger.
She hated herself for wanting something old.
She turned her eyes away.
Mathilda Ash sat to his right.
The right way to stand.
A soft smile.
Rebecca sat next to her.
Looking.
Having fun.
Jackson was sitting farther down the table.
Eating in silence.
Then she saw it.
The table's left side.
Not full.
Her spot.
Always hers.
The quiet was broken.
"You are late."
Everyone could hear William's voice.
Very deep.
Sharp.
She moved forward.
The doors shut behind her.
Everyone stopped.
William slowly got up.
He didn't look his age.
His suit was just right.
His body is strong.
He looked like a king who was going to pass judgment.
"And you're wearing casual clothes again."
There was a low laugh after he spoke.
"You never pass up a chance to test me."
She raised her chin.
"Father."
She bent her head a little.
Respect in action.
She looked at him with mockery.
He waved his hand.
"I'll forgive you since it's your first day back."
The room was quiet.
She walked to her seat and sat down.
The maid came up and served her plate.
Her hands moved on their own.
She didn't look up.
She could feel his eyes on her.
After that, he turned away.
People started eating again.
The sound of silverware filled the room.
Slow.
In control.
The silence closed in.
It made her chest feel tight.
It was Mathilda's fault.
"How was college, Elowen?"
Her voice was nice.
It's too sweet.
Elowen raised her head.
"It was good."
Mathilda's smile got smaller.
"How good."
A break.
"Did you forget your manners?"
Elowen bit the inside of her mouth.
Difficult.
Her mouth was full of blood.
Her nails were digging into her palms.
"You're not supposed to say, 'It was good, Mother.'"
The word didn't feel right.
A lot.
"You are not my mother."
The words came out quickly and clearly.
Rebecca hid her smile with her spoon.
Jackson kept on eating.
A sudden splash filled the air.
Elowen's face got hit with cold liquid.
She closed her eyes without thinking.
Her hair and clothes were covered in wine.
The smell went up her nose.
The glass broke on the floor.
The sound was very loud.
William was above her.
"You will show your mother respect."
He spoke in a low voice.
Not safe.
"You need to learn."
Mathilda stood up quickly.
She gently grabbed his arm.
"She just got back."
Her voice shook with fake concern.
"Forgive her." For me.
William's face softened a little.
He stared at Mathilda.
Then he turned around and left.
Rebecca let out a loud sigh.
"This will be fun now that you're back."
Her voice was full of promise.
They left not long after.
The room seemed empty.
The maid came back with tissues.
Elowen slowly wiped her face.
Her hands were shaking.
Jackson got up.
Still eating just a moment ago.
She laughed dryly.
"You still want to eat."
He looked at her with calm eyes.
"Every day, people die."
"This was nothing."
She shook her head and got up.
"Don't go to Lucas."
She stopped when Jackson spoke.
She turned around.
"What?"
He moved closer.
"Don't go outside."
"It's not safe."
She stared at him.
Sleepy.
"Nowhere is safe for me."
She left.
Her footsteps echoed.
Jackson was watching from behind her.
And somewhere in the dark outside the walls,
Was Silas Blackwell also watching her?
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