Melissa stared at Ashley in disbelief. “How did you know...?”

Ashley bit her lip hard. She hadn’t wanted to say anything, but she couldn’t hold it in. She couldn’t understand why, despite having countless chances to leave that family, Melissa just wouldn’t.

She wouldn’t leave, nor would she let Ashley go.

Because of Jack, they both had to stay and rot.

Melissa was shocked for a moment, then covered her face and started crying on the bed.

Ashley turned her head away and didn’t console her.

Ashley had always been baffled. If her mother truly loved that scumbag, why would she still be involved with Mr. Quinn?

Having a lover like Mr. Quinn, why would she still sacrifice everything for a gambler? Why did she hover between two utterly different men?

Was it for the thrill?

After a long time, Melissa finally stopped crying, her eyes swollen like walnuts.

She sat at the bedside, stealing glances at Ashley, unsure of how to start a conversation.

As they were at an impasse, Ashley’s phone beeped.

Melissa wiped her tears, “Don’t move, I’ll get it.”

She picked up Ashley’s phone and swiped the screen, revealing a bank notification. “Dear customer, 56,832.94 yuan was credited to your account at 19:05. Your balance is now 160,032.01 yuan. For inquiries...”

Melissa looked at Ashley in surprise, “Ashley, what kind of part-time job is this? How can the pay be so high?”

Ashley’s heart tightened. She reached out and grabbed the phone, “It’s none of your business.”

She tucked the phone behind her back, signaling Melissa not to touch it.

Melissa, seeing her daughter’s guarded expression, was at a loss, “I, I didn’t mean anything, I...”

Ashley saw the greed and eagerness in Melissa’s eyes as she stared at the check.

Her heart sank halfway. “So what, you wanna steal my money for that jerk, huh?”

Melissa instinctively raised her voice, “I’m not!”

Her denial sounded even more suspicious.

Ashley let out a bitter laugh, tucking the phone and check under her pillow.

Melissa, seeing Ashley’s defensive stance, began to cry again, “Ashley, I’m not, I didn’t mean...”

No matter how much Melissa explained, her credibility with Ashley was zero.

Working at Vee, she earned over fifty thousand a month. After two years, she should have saved a considerable amount. But now, she only had 160,000 in her account.

Why? Because Melissa always managed to empty her account unexpectedly.

Since childhood, Melissa had insisted on two things: First, never leave the Quinn Family; Second, never give up on Jack; No matter the injustice they faced, Melissa wouldn’t let Ashley defy her.

“You should go back to your room,” Ashley closed her eyes, “I’m tired.”

Melissa, seeing her daughter’s resolute face, knew it wasn’t the right time to talk and reluctantly left.

...

Ashley didn’t speak to Melissa the entire day.

At night, unable to sleep, she put on a coat and went to the rooftop for some fresh air.

The hospital at night was filled with painful groans; only the rooftop was truly quiet.

As she opened the iron door to the rooftop, a warm summer breeze greeted her, making her feel alive again.

Ashley wrapped her coat tighter and walked towards the edge. After a few steps, she noticed someone smoking.

She paused.

The person seemed surprised by the footsteps, turning to look at her.

The dim light barely illuminated their faces. Ashley was surprised, “...Mr.?”

What was he doing here? In the middle of the night???

Brian was also surprised to see Ashley at this hour.

After a few seconds, he came to his senses. He put out his cigarette and beckoned her over, “Come here.”

Ashley walked over, smelling the heavy scent of tobacco on him.

How much had he smoked? Looking down, she saw cigarette butts scattered all over the ground.

Ashley frowned slightly, “What are you doing here?”

Brian didn’t answer. He pulled her into his arms, his hand slipping under her hospital gown. His rough fingers touched her smooth skin, making Ashley shiver.

“Mr, I’m injured!”

Brian seemed to be in a good mood. He chuckled softly, “Mm, be careful then.”

He slid his fingers down the seam of her pants.

Ashley, “What...”

He’s a beast!

As Ashley turned to say something, her lips were seized by Brian. The gentle breeze lifted the corners of her gown, the soft fabric brushing against her skin.

Ashley, who had no mood before, was now feeling a tickle in her heart.

But she still had a bit of sanity left. During a brief pause, she pushed Brian, “Mr, you’re about to get engaged to Miss. James.”

He had just done a prenatal checkup in the afternoon and now came to the hospital to have an affair with her?

Brian licked her lips, “I said, I don’t make choices.”

“But...”

“No buts. Open your mouth, good girl.” Brian didn’t give her a chance to refuse, gripping her jaw and kissing her fiercely.

Ashley could only relax.

Tonight, Brian felt different. The man who usually loved to rush was unusually gentle. Maybe he was mindful of her injuries.

Brian lifted her onto the railing, propped her up with one hand, and raised her leg. Being gentle and slow, not in a hurry.

Ashley was on the verge of tears. Noticing his movements, she pressed against his abs, trying to push him away,

“Mr, we don’t have a condom.”

Brian kissed her nose, “If you get pregnant, just give birth.”

Ashley’s eyes widened in fear, “Mr!”

What the hell was he talking?!

Brian’s thumb brushed her collarbone, seeming pleased, “Olivia wants it, don’t you?”

No!

She could never have his child!

Ashley, terrified, shook her head repeatedly.

Brian frowned, his eyes darkening. And his movements became rough, all his gentleness gone, reverting to his usual rough demeanor.

He gripped her neck, holding her tightly against his chest.

His lower body moved fast and hard.

Ashley bit his coat, trying to stifle the shameful sounds, but she couldn’t stop her breath from breaking into pieces.

She felt her concussion getting worse; otherwise, why would she smell medicine on him?

Ashley lost count of the times she blacked out. When she woke up, she was back in her hospital bed.

“You’re finally awake.”

Ashley looked at the bedside and saw the butler sitting there, concerned, “Butler?”

The butler helped her sit up with a pillow, “Are you feeling unwell?”

Ashley looked down, noticing her new hospital gown. “I...”

“You fainted,” the butler said worriedly, “It’s a good thing Mr. Quinn found you. Otherwise, you might have been in danger.”

“...Mr. Quinn?” Did that bastard tell the butler about their affair?!

“Mr. Quinn is having a premarital checkup today, so he stayed at the hospital last night. He said he found you unconscious on the rooftop while getting some fresh air.” Ashley breathed a sigh of relief.

...

After his last injection, Brian sat up and got dressed.

Isabella Turner

disposed of the medical waste and looked at her friend, “Did you lose your memory again last night?”

Brian paused, then continued buttoning up, “Not entirely.”

He remembered parts of it, like what he did with Ashley on the rooftop.