Chapter 5: When She First Met Him
1122 Words
Chapter 5: When She First Met Him
Liana Ashford had lost her parents in a car crash when she was just six years old.
The Ashford Corporation—now worth billions—had originally belonged to them.
After the accident, Liana was taken in by her father’s younger brother, Harold Ashford, and his wife, Cecilia. And of course, Harold inherited the company.
Everyone praised the couple’s kindness. “They raised her like their own daughter,” people would say. “She’s so lucky to be part of such a loving family.”
But if her parents hadn’t died… she would’ve been the one and only Ashford heiress.
Instead, she grew up in someone else’s shadow.
Harold and Cecilia had a son and daughter of their own. Liana became the quiet “third” child—the one who wore the dresses Cecilia picked, who smiled politely at the parties, who never quite belonged.
Vivian had always shone brighter. And wherever Vivian went, Liana was expected to follow.
Cecilia would bring both girls to grand banquets and galas, but while Vivian was adored, Liana was… tolerated. The other debutantes, eager to stay on Vivian’s good side, often excluded or outright bullied her—ripping her dress, spilling drinks on her hair.
She didn’t understand why. And she never fought back.
She was afraid that causing trouble would make her aunt and uncle resent her.
So the more she stayed silent, the more people treated her like she was weak.
Until he showed up.
It had been during one of those glamorous parties, the kind where twelve-year-old girls wore designer dresses and acted like queens.
Liana had been backed into a corner, her shoes soaked, tears silently spilling down her cheeks.
That’s when a voice cut through the laughter.
“What’s there to cry about? Can’t you hit them back?”
She looked up.
A boy stood in front of her—slim, sharp-eyed, and already surrounded by awe-struck teenagers.
He frowned like her tears were a personal inconvenience. His tone was clipped, impatient. “If they bully you, bully them back. Simple.”
“I… I can’t,” she whispered, still sniffling. “It would make trouble for my aunt and uncle…”
His face twisted like he’d bitten into something sour.
That expression scared her more than the bullies did—and she burst into louder sobs.
The boy froze.
He had never comforted a girl before. Usually, he was the reason they cried. And when they did, they ran away.
But this girl didn’t run. She just cried.
He stared at her for a long moment, then reached into his pocket.
From it, he pulled out a small talisman—worn, golden-threaded, and tied with a red string. A family heirloom. It had been blessed the day he was born by the Ashbourne family elders. Said to bring protection.
He grabbed her hand and shoved it into her palm.
Her sobs hiccupped to a stop.
He met her gaze and said, voice low and sure, “Next time someone tries to hurt you, send them to me.”
Tell them to deal with Grayson Ashbourne first.
—
Now, years later, Liana stood before him again. And the memory hit like a crashing wave.
The same eyes. The same careless tilt of his head. Only now, Grayson had grown into the kind of man who commanded rooms without speaking. Arrogant, elegant, untouchable.
Tears pricked the corners of her eyes.
Even if, back then, it had been just a moment of amusement for him—she had never forgotten it.
In her past life, after he married Vivian, she still sought him out when the Aldridge family became difficult. He never turned her away. Never said a cruel word. Even when his marriage was clearly a mess, he helped her.
She remembered the last time they saw each other.
Her wedding day.
He brought her a bouquet of crimson roses, wished her a happy marriage, and told her to have a beautiful life.
Then he walked away.
Forever.
She snapped back to the present, blinking fast as she pushed those memories down.
She quickly stood and dusted off her dress. When she looked up, her smile was small, shy.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
A lifetime of gratitude in two words.
Grayson raised an eyebrow, clearly wanting to say something more—but his friends had already caught up to him.
“Well, well,” one of the boys said with a grin. “Who’s the mystery girl? Don’t think I’ve seen her before.”
Grayson turned and smacked him on the shoulder without even looking.
“Speak like a human.”
His friend yelped. “Dude, what the hell?!”
The commotion had drawn attention. Guests were beginning to gather. Murmurs spread.
Then came a whirlwind of pale satin and heels.
“Cousin!” cried a girl in a champagne-colored gown. “There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere!”
It was the birthday girl—Mia Prescott. Bright, playful, and completely unaware of the tension in the air.
“Oh, don’t tell me!” another guy teased. “Your cousin’s been playing knight-in-shining-armor. Saving a damsel in distress.”
Mia turned to Grayson in disbelief. “Wait, seriously?”
Grayson didn’t answer—but he didn’t deny it either.
Mia blinked, stunned. “What’s going on?”
Someone nudged in Liana’s direction. Mia followed their gaze and froze.
Before she could speak, Grayson stepped in front of her and gave her a hard glare.
She flinched. “W-What? I wasn’t going to say anything!”
Grayson narrowed his eyes.
“I wasn’t!” she repeated, holding up both hands.
But her eyes kept darting toward Liana.
“Come on, Cousin,” she whispered. “Just tell me—who is she?”
Grayson rolled his eyes and turned away.
“I knew it!” Mia gasped, practically jumping. “She’s the Ashford girl, right? My mom mentioned her! She said your mom was thinking of arranging something with the Ashfords!”
Grayson froze.
Mia kept going. “She said Aunt Eleanor likes the Ashfords’ two daughters. But she didn’t say which one she preferred.”
Grayson’s face twitched.
Liana watched him quietly.
Mia leaned to get another peek at her, but Grayson blocked her view again. “Would you stop?”
“I knew it,” Mia said, gaping. “Wait. Are you blushing?”
Grayson looked away.
Even the tips of his ears had turned pink.
Mia nearly dropped her purse.
The Grayson Ashbourne—known for his apathy, his temper, his total disinterest in everyone and everything—was actually flustered?
The world had gone mad.
- Writer
