Chapter 4: The Ashbourne Heir
951 Words
Chapter 4: The Ashbourne Heir
Vivian Whitmore had always known that Clara Hanley liked Grayson Ashbourne.
Back in her previous life, Vivian and Clara had been close—mostly because Clara came from the best family in their social circle. Vivian had always believed they were the only two truly “elite” girls among their peers.
Then Vivian married Grayson.
Clara had been livid. Their friendship shattered overnight. Vivian hadn’t cared. She’d hated Clara by then anyway.
But this time around, Vivian had no plans to marry into the Ashbourne family. That meant she and Clara could remain allies. No competition, no bitterness.
Or so she thought.
Her smug satisfaction quickly faded as Liana’s soft voice pierced through the tension. “Aunt Cecilia said I should follow you.”
Vivian’s expression twitched. Liana had clearly seen everything—and was playing innocent.
Vivian took a small step away, irritated.
Clara’s voice sharpened. “You always hide behind your so-called family ties. Who knows how badly you’ve been bullying Vivian at home!”
Liana’s eyes welled up. A few of the other girls shifted uncomfortably.
“That’s a little harsh, Clara,” someone said.
It was the calm, refined voice of Susannah Sullivan—heir to the influential Sullivan family.
“Liana hasn’t done anything to deserve that tone,” she added.
Clara’s face flushed. “I just can’t stand girls who act sweet and helpless on the surface. She’s obviously putting on a show.”
Susannah raised a brow. “From what I’ve seen, she’s been perfectly polite. Perhaps you’re the one overreacting.”
The tension snapped.
Vivian’s irritation boiled into anger. “Susannah, why are you defending her?”
Susannah turned slowly. “Vivian, she’s your cousin. When someone insults your own family, shouldn’t you be the first to speak up—not join in?”
In the Sullivan household, unity and image were everything. No matter the disagreements behind closed doors, family came first in public. Watching Vivian abandon her cousin like this? It was tacky. Undignified.
"She’s still an Ashford,” Susannah said coolly. “That should mean something.”
Clara wasn’t having it. She stepped forward and grabbed Susannah’s arm. “Why are you taking her side?”
Susannah’s expression turned icy. “Let go of me.”
But Clara didn't. “Apologize,” she snapped. “Right now.”
A gasp rippled through the group as the two girls began to scuffle. Several of the others rushed in to pull them apart, shouting over one another.
Vivian didn’t move. She simply crossed her arms, watching with mild annoyance, as if the chaos had nothing to do with her.
Liana, standing quietly at the edge of the garden, arched a brow.
She hadn’t expected things to spiral this quickly—but she wasn’t complaining.
Then she looked over at Vivian.
Still detached. Still cold.
Liana’s gaze sharpened. She moved close—so fast Vivian didn’t react until Liana reached out and grabbed her wrist.
“Liana!” Vivian hissed, yanking back. “What are you doing?”
“Everyone’s fighting because of us,” Liana said, wide-eyed and trembling. “Shouldn’t you say something?”
She looked every bit the frightened girl: voice shaking, eyes pleading. But her grip was firm. Too firm.
Vivian tried to pull away, but couldn’t. She looked down, startled. Liana’s fingers were like steel. And for a second—just a blink—Vivian saw it.
The chill in her eyes. The cunning.
It vanished so quickly Vivian almost thought she imagined it.
“Let go of me,” she snapped.
Liana did—suddenly.
Vivian’s hand flew out as she pulled away, grazing Liana’s cheek and knocking her off balance.
Liana fell to the ground with a small cry, dress spilling around her like a dropped silk petal.
The garden froze.
And then—
“Well, damn. I only came out here for some air, but this is better than a movie.”
The lazy voice floated from behind the hedges.
Several heads turned as a group of young men rounded the corner, laughing among themselves.
Leading them was a tall man in a slightly undone suit, black jacket draped casually over his shoulders, tie loose, top buttons open. His dark eyes were half-lidded, a teasing glint beneath lashes too long for someone so sharp. A beauty mark beneath his right eye twitched as he smiled.
He walked with a swaggering grace, hands in his pockets, like the world bent to his rhythm.
Grayson Ashbourne.
Vivian froze.
Liana’s breath caught.
She hadn’t expected to see him so soon.
Not like this.
Not when she was still on the ground—vulnerable, exposed.
But Grayson’s gaze wasn’t on anyone else.
It landed directly on her.
He took in the scene with a slow sweep, then stepped forward.
Someone whispered, “That’s the Ashbourne heir…”
Another girl fixed her hair.
Even Clara went pale.
But Grayson didn’t glance at any of them.
He walked up to Liana, stopping just inches from where she sat.
She looked up, startled.
He offered no hand.
Only a slow, lazy smile.
“I told you,” he said softly. His voice was deep, low, just a little rough—like he’d woken from a dream.
“If anyone tries to hurt you again… they’ll have to go through me.”
Liana’s heart pounded.
Yes.
She remembered now.
They had met before this lifetime. Before the engagement. Before the blood and betrayal.
In another world, another time—before he ever became her sister’s fiancé.
Grayson Ashbourne had once looked at her exactly like this.
Like she was the only thing in the world worth protecting.
- Writer
