If I’d just stayed put, none of this would have
happened.
“Ethan, I’m sorry.”
“Ashley,” he sighed, “It’s alright. Let’s talk when
I get back.”
I got a friend request on Instagram. It was
Ethan. I accepted. His only post was from three
days ago – a photo of our marriage certificate.
I couldn’t see the comments, but I saw his
replies to two of them.
<
“Yeah, I got married.”
“Meet my wife, Ashley.”
- 18.
That night, I posted on Instagram, just four words: “Getting married!” I got a ton of
messages and a call from Mark.
“So, you’ve come to your senses?”
“I offered you a chance, but I never said I’d
marry you again.”
I chuckled. “And I never said you were the
groom.”
“You’re marrying that old man? You’d rather be
with a married man…”
I hung up and blocked him. I couldn’t sleep that
night. I finally drifted off just before dawn, so I
didn’t even hear Ethan come home.
I woke up to see him emerging from the
bathroom. I nearly screamed.
“It’s me, Ashley. It’s Ethan. Don’t be scared…”
I clutched my chest, my heart pounding. He
pulled me into a hug, stroking my back.
“Breathe, Ashley. Relax. It’s okay.”
I leaned against him, my racing heart gradually
slowing. Then I realized I was wearing a silk slip,
and Ethan, fresh from the shower, was shirtless,
just in pajama pants.
“I’m okay,” I mumbled, pulling away, my face
burning.
“Sorry I startled you.” He brushed my hair back.
“Why’d you sleep so late?”
“Couldn’t sleep last night.” I was suddenly very
aware of my thin slip and the fact that I never
く
wore a bra to bed. My skin tingled where it had
touched his. I grabbed the covers, wanting to
hide, but it felt too obvious.
Ethan gently pushed me back down onto the
bed. “Sleep a little longer. It’s almost noon. We
can just have lunch.” He tucked the blanket
around me. “I’ll be in the study. I’ll come get
you later.”
I exhaled, relieved, as he left.
- 19.
During the day, he mostly stayed in his study.
But at 9 pm, he came into our bedroom and
showed no signs of leaving. I’d thought about
our marital duties. After all, I’d promised to
cooperate.
I watched him come out of the bathroom. “Are
you… sleeping here tonight?” I finally asked.
He just looked at me. Maybe he just needed a
<
wife in name only. Maybe I was reading too
much into things.
I grabbed a pillow and started to get out of bed. “I’ll… I’ll sleep in the guest room,” I offered.
He still didn’t speak.
I turned to leave, but he caught me from behind. “Didn’t you say you’d cooperate?”
“Mr. Blackwood…” His chest pressed against
my back, his heart beating against mine. His
skin was warm, making me dizzy. He bent his
head, his fingers tracing the curve of my neck.
“Ashley, you’re my wife now.”
I closed my eyes, leaning against him, letting
him carry me back to the bed. When he kissed
me, I gripped his arm, my heart pounding, my
breath catching in my throat.
