Mr. Jenkins's Pretend Bride: (You'll Never Be My Type, Sweetheart)

"I wonder if anyone is coming here to see me." Lying in her bed, Ashleigh mumbled while staring out the window with nothing but loneliness in her eyes. Her vision wasn't great. She could barely breathe, yet she couldn't control her greed at seeing the bright sky outside to put her mind at ease. It had been a while since the nurses went out to call the doctor and her family after seeing her condition, but she couldn't feel any presence on the other side of her cabin. It didn't make sense to Ashleigh to wish to see her family when she was taking her last breath. Weren't they the ones who gave her hell for being born healthy while paying all their attention and giving their love to her sickly twin sister? It was funny how she was abandoned right after her birth in her past life because she was sick, and her family was too poor to pay for her treatment. She was lucky she made it to college with her weak body, but still, Ashleigh met a miserable death before her soul got transmigrated into an absurd novel, which she chose not to finish. If only she hadn't caught the eye of that obsessive individual in her world, things would have played out differently for her. Still, with the hope that she could live a good life, Ashleigh left home and never tried to mend her relationship with her family, betrothed, or friends. In her past life, Ashleigh couldn't fulfill her wish to be a painter for many reasons. Her frail body and overbearing boss's friend weren't the only obstacles for her. Thinking it would be different this time, she took this chance, only to lose everything at the hands of a scammer, and she didn't manage to retrieve her masterpieces until the end. "Just my luck!" Her laughter sounded hoarse, and her vision blurrier. "How I wish I had someone... to talk sense into me... and tell me... to just shut up and marry the first person I see." "Cracking jokes when you can barely breathe! Incredible!" She heard footsteps and a voice that startled her like never before. Glancing in that direction where Ashleigh could only make a silhouette move, she said in puzzlement, "...you?" She couldn't believe her ears. How could it be possible for this man to be here? That's not important right now. I should lighten the mood if I don't wish to be swept away by this approaching storm. With that thought, she teased, "Don't tell me... you are already in tears, sir. My performance...didn't suck, right?" "Don't be mistaken. My presence here won't make a difference to our circumstances!" There was a suppressed sneer at his statement, but she had no way of knowing what expression this unexpected guest was wearing, even though he stood right opposite the window. Not to mention, it would be the first time they have come face to face like this. She looked embarrassed but couldn't let him have it his way. "All this time... I didn't know you took me for a delusional woman. Have you ever wondered why you picture me that way?" Taking a shaky breath, she asked before he could interrupt her. "Well, anyway. Tell me. What brings you here, my children's father?" "For f**k's sake! Stop changing the subject!" He breathed harshly. "Do you think I am in a mood to keep up with you?" She pursed her dry lips tightly. This nameless individual was only good at raising her blood pressure. Even his pinching glares were revolting. They only talked over phone calls, but from his breath, she could tell she wouldn't like what was coming from his mouth. "Would it have made you happier if it was your ex-fiance had walked in here in my place?" Ashleigh clenched her eyes shut as the man gripped her arms firmly. "I guess you would. That's the kind of woman you are, after all. Oh, I also heard he will get married to your twin sister around this time. Maybe it's today. Who knows?" He shook her hard as he continued seething at her. "He is now a fool in love. He can't stop smiling whenever he is with her. Want me to show how good they look together in each other's arms?" "For real!" She shuddered as he laughed at her face. This man was cruel, she knew, but why was he being like that with her? "Don't you think it's about time you stopped chasing after him? He despises your very existence, don't you get!" "Why you little...!" She snapped. "Why would his feelings ever really... matter to me when I never liked him in the first place? You and your ridiculous assumption of me kept me from meeting the children I gave birth to, you scumbag!" A lump formed in her throat. She had her reasons, so she didn't try her best. But what about him? Was he as helpless as her? Does he think he was any better than that bastard he loves to talk about? It had been five years since then, and she had yet to meet her children. It was too much. She didn't want to remember and feel guilty about what she couldn't call hers, yet this man wouldn't let her be. He was still good at making her feel worse and blaming her for those things she wasn't responsible for. Just why was he here? This man wasn't supposed to know about her condition. It was strictly confidential, her whereabouts. Although she had no idea why they needed to be so secretive about this, she never asked for the reason from her older brother. She didn't want to bother him, knowing he was engaged in the succession battle to become the new patriarch in their household. Her chest pain suddenly rose. She couldn't help but curl herself into a ball. Damn! She didn't wish to die pitifully. She knew she didn't have much time left. Ashleigh was aware of it way too well. Everything around her was getting chaotic. There was some urgency in those voices and their movements, but she wished they could keep it down for some time. "Show m, me." Among those people gathering around her, Ashleigh sought out the person who was right beside her. She dared to hold onto that man once who threatened her with s****l assault charges. "...just this once, please." Even still, she begged him when her mouth could barely move. All this was for not to die with only bad memories. "...here." He held his phone out close to her face. She wasn't expecting this man to fulfill her one last wish. Maybe it was because this man knew it, too. The promise Ashleigh made to him, she couldn't break no matter how much she tried. "...they don't... take after you... at all." How she wished her vision was a bit clearer for this time. Two boys with jet-black hair had colors all over them. Could it be that they were also into the arts? "Except for... their appearance, eh? Serve you right, you jerk." "Whose fault is it? You- " He paused before he raised his voice again. "Hey, don't close your eyes. I swear I'll kill every last- " "Don't be silly." She snorted through her tears. "I wasn't expecting you here, but I am glad you are here." Her heart was hurting like hell, but she looked his way with a softened expression this time. "Thanks. I mean it. You are a good father. Please... take care of yourself." "I can bring them here if you..." He sounded frustrated and anxious, but she didn't care or even look like she was listening. There was nothing left to hear anyway. " ...can you hear me? You will be okay. Why didn't your brother tell me your condition was this serious?" There was one thing Ashleigh wanted to tell this man. He should never force a mother on their children if he gets married one day. The uncertainty of the future scared Ashleigh more than she wanted to admit. Her luck with her family wasn't good in either of her lives. She struggled to earn as much as to make a living for herself. She never ran away from hardship, but would those little kids be okay if a day like that ever came into their lives? Her eyelids began to feel heavy, but she couldn't stop worrying about her children, whom she never had the chance to hold in her arms. She didn't feel this helpless when she died in her world. She had a regret that time, too. How good would it be to be with her family? It felt magical when she woke up as Ashleigh Roberts who had a family. She felt like her wish had come true until... In this novel's world, too, Ashleigh did try her best to mend her relationship with her family, but nothing worked out in her favor. This time, her sadness was overwhelming her so much that she couldn't help but cry for her children. Why did she have to die so miserably? Tears kept rolling down her face. She felt someone shaking her and kept calling her name, but by then, strength had left her body. An immense pain rose in her chest and made it almost impossible to breathe, and just like that, darkness consumed her. ~ *** ~ Loud noises around Ashleigh caused her to regain her senses. For a light sleeper like her, it just couldn't be helped. She cringed when cold water splashed all over her face, and people around her seemed to have no plan to shut up any sooner. These nurses were always like that. Inconsiderate in their way. Just how many times she told them not to talk when she was sleeping? Instead of listening to her, they went far to eat snacks and gossiped about celebrities in her family, whereas Ashleigh could only have saline water for her meal. It wasn't like she could digest food, but did they have to be so cruel to her? As she opened her eyes, her gaze fell on the white ceiling like usual. It made her sigh distastefully, even when it looked different from how it used to look. A frown soon appeared when she felt her heart beating like a healthy human's, which was unusual given her condition. It was not hurting at all as she pressed her hand over her chest, where she was shot one year ago. "Are you alright, Miss?" She was startled to meet the gaze of the nurses and doctor surrounding her. None of them looked familiar to her. Then she remembered hearing her children's father asking someone when they would be arriving. Could they be talking about his very personal medical board? She thought she had died, but that man saved her in the end! "That must be quite a hassle for you guys. Though I am embarrassed, I can't help but admit I am very grateful to you." She smiled tiredly at them. "But how did you make it happen, though? I wonder if I was in a condition to take any more medication or surgical care. How possibly could I when I barely anything I eat? My body doesn't hurt anymore, which is great. I... feel great." And that was weird. It didn't make any sense to feel good. Ashleigh felt as if...no, she was sure she hadn't gone through any surgery on her heart. Something felt off. Subconsciously, her hand reached for her sweatshirt, and she turned pale, seeing no bullet wound or surgical marks on her chest! "Everyone. Leave." Ashleigh came out of her daze at the sound of the door closing. "It is a relief to know you are feeling well, Ms. Roberts." The lady doctor, who could be her age, approached her with a friendly smile. "You have no idea how worried we were. It scared us all to see you passing out after seeing your report." A sense of déjà vu hit her. Gulping hard, she asked. " ...what report?" This scene felt so familiar that it made her skin crawl. "Oh, my. You don't remember?" The doctor frowned in confusion. "How strange. Weren't you thanking us for the abortion earlier?" Ashleigh could only do was to stare blankly at space. She had an idea of what was happening exactly, but there was no way she would acknowledge it when she could still vividly remember how painful it felt when she died of heart disease. Besides, that clinic wasn't safe for her. The director here was so ambitious that they wouldn't hesitate to sell off her information for their benefit. "We can at least tell how startled you must be." The doctor started to speak again. "Given your age, anyone in your place would have reacted that way seeing the report, but the surgery isn't possible today. I suggest you go home and take your time before you decide anything. You need your partner's content, too, regarding this matter. Please don't rush it." The doctor had a way of making her patients feel at ease, but Ashleigh didn't want to hear more. Ashleigh prepared to climb off of her hospital bed after fixing her clothes. There was no reason for her to stay anyway. The night was closing in, so it would be better to return to where she had been staying before she caught the eyes of more people. "My family don't need to know what happened in your clinic today if..." Halting on her steps, she tilted her head and looked at the doctor with a warning. " ...if you don't want to get involved in a bothersome situation and put your people in distress." "The chances of your information getting leaked from here are low. Please don't stress yourself and take care." The doctor firmly responded. "Keep taking your medicine on time and stick to your diet. Your appetite will come back to normal in no time." That's what she said. Ashleigh knew the doctor had her best interest in mind when giving her those suggestions, but how could she forget how things went downhill for her in the end? Clutching her handbag, she started walking as fast as she could. It was hard to believe she was breathing again without a pipe. Her heart was beating the way it naturally does for a healthy human being. That sensation felt too real to deny this cruel reality. What she heard earlier kept playing in her ears. Ashleigh threw a fit and asked for immediate surgery after seeing the report of her pregnancy. She couldn't blame herself for the way she reacted. If her memory served right, it was around this time Ashleigh went into depression after losing her portraits to the hands of scammers, and she had nowhere to return to. Her pride couldn't let her beg on her knees to her father, who kicked her out of the house. Ashleigh couldn't decide whether she should laugh or cry. Her blank look was also evidence of how empty she was feeling inside. She should be smiling happily, shouldn't she? After all, she was with her children now. But what if it was just a cruel illusion her broken soul desperately wanted to hold onto? If she fell for it, it would be hard for her to get over that inexplicable pain. Her legs seemed to have a mind of their own. She wasn't surprised to see how close she was to the subway. If she took the subway and got down to that specific station again subconsciously, every piece of this puzzle would fall into the right places. Someone who wanted an escape from reality wouldn't do that, would they? Ashleigh couldn't let the scene play out on its own. She would never set foot in that club and try to seek out her unborn children's father as she did in her past regression. "Ah.. iek!" Just as she was about to make her way to the bus stop, Ashleigh almost fell on her face, failing to notice the crack on the footpath. Luckily, someone from behind grabbed her in time and helped her to stand up straight. "Are you okay, miss?" Ashleigh jumped on her skin at the familiarity of that person's touch. She tried to shrug him away instantly. "Uh, yeah. I am. Now, move away!" "It would be better to change into a new pair of flats. You may trip again if you don't change your heels now." Although the man was holding her gently, his breathing on her neck was getting her for real. "Don't bother, sir. I will manage. Would you mind loosening your grip around me now?" She gritted out and glanced over her shoulder, but instead of meeting his gaze, she looked away, hearing a honk. "You shouldn't truly move around in your broken heels. Allow me to take you to the shoe store. I am sure one here is within walking distance." But the man was persistent. "Let me confirm the direction with someone first." Was it normal for a passerby to offer to buy shoes for someone he had never met before? Ashleigh was used to expecting the unexpected in the n*********d, but wasn't she just an extra here? "Fine! Have it your way then." With a tight-lipped smile, Ashleigh said through her teeth while walking her hand toward the bus. "How about you buy me tea next time we meet again? Hmm? See you, mate!" With that, she managed to escape from his grasp. She felt his piercing glare burning holes in the back of her head, but she didn't care much. She had so much on her plate that she didn't have the leisure to wonder about a passerby's motive. But little did Ashleigh know this empty promise would cost her more than she could bargain for.