Chapter 5 ASHLYN'S BITTERNESS

Ashlyn point of view

"Can't you do anything right, Ashlyn?" Mrs. Knight's voice cut through the silence as she stormed into the room, with her heels clicking furiously against the marble floor. "You spilled water all over the floor! Are you trying to ruin my house? You...this stupid girl."

I looked down at the small puddle by my feet, she was cursing at me for something so little? I folded my fingers into fists. It was nothing more than a little spill, an accident anyone could make, but to Mrs. Knight, it was an offense worth shouting over. I swallowed my frustration, knowing that arguing would only make things worse.

"I'm sorry," I muttered, though the words felt hollow. I'm really regretting why I have to come back. This place is a nightmare.

"Sorry?" she sneered, taking a step closer, with her hand raising slightly as if she was going to slap me. Although, it wasn't a new thing to her. She hits me at the slightest provocation. Her eyes narrowed at me in disgust. "You are nothing but a nuisance. A disgrace to this family! A big shame!"

I held her gaze, as my expression turned cold and unflinching. Something in my eyes must have disturbed her because she stopped mid-motion, her hand falling back to her side. Her mouth pressed into a tight line, and she glanced away, clearly looking troubled.

"You're pathetic and good for nothing just like your mother was," she spat, glaring at me like she could kill me with her eyes. "Mark my words, Ashlyn, you're worthless, and you always will be. Foolish girl."

A surge of anger rose within me, she could curse me all she wanted but not my mother. She is nothing, absolutely nothing like her. but I forced myself to stay silent. I didn't want to mess things up for myself.

One day, I thought, she would regret every word she'd ever said to me, every insult, every slap she'd tried to throw. I would make her pay, make her understand what it felt like to live like an animal, the way she made me feel every day.

As I stood there, holding back the urge to retaliate, I heard Penelope's voice from the sitting room. She was another leash in my life. Just like her mother, always looking for a way to see me fall or hurt me. She drives so much joy to see me in pain.

"Mother! You won't believe what Christopher got me today!"

I braced myself as Penelope walked in, her arms were filled with bags and boxes of gifts. She flashed me a smug smile, I knew what she wanted to do, make me jealous. But to be honest, I wasn't in fact both of them deserved each other. I was truly lucky not to have been married to that scum of a man.

"Look at all these gifts from Christopher," she said, waving a sparkling necklace in my face. "He thought I'd look stunning in this. Isn't he thoughtful, Mummy?I'm such a lucky girl."

I clenched my teeth, refusing to give her the reaction she so clearly wanted. Instead, I simply turned away, trying to ignore her smug smile and her pointed glances.

At this point, I was already feeling irritated.

"Oh, come on, Ashlyn," she said, with her tone dripping with mock sympathy. "I mean, I know it must be hard seeing me with all these gifts while you've got nothing. But maybe if you weren't so... pitiful, you wouldn't have lost him."

I hissed and shot her a glare, unable to hold back my irritation anymore. "How much did they pay you to betray me, Penelope? Was it worth it? You're such a cheap gold digger. Just watch, he is going to dumb you too."

Penelope's expression changed, if eyes could kill, I'd be dead now. but instead of being ashamed, she placed her hand mockingly on her chest and put on an exaggerated pout. "Oh, don't be like that, Ashlyn," she cooed, reaching out to touch my face. "I was only looking out for myself, you know?I'm not as weak as you are. We are not the same."

I slapped her hand away with enough force that the sound echoed through the room.

"Ouch!" she screamed.

"You dare lay your filthy hands on my daughter?" Mrs. Knight's voice screeched, and before I could react, her hand shot out, slapping me across the face.

"Ahhh!" My cheek stung, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing me break.

As I held my cheek, rage boiled inside me, as I glared at her.

Suddenly, the door opened, and Christopher stepped in. His eyes fell on me, and for a moment, he looked genuinely shocked as he kept looking at my face.

"Ashlyn..." he breathed, with his eyes wide as he looked at me. "I didn't... I didn't know you looked like this without all that makeup. You look... beautiful."

I glared at him, with anger and hate in side of me. The audacity. I couldn't imagine being admired by the one person who humiliated me in the very presence of my family and friends on my wedding day. This was just salt in the wound.

Penelope immediately grabbed her wrist, acting as if she was injured. "Ashlyn, I didn't mean to hurt you. Please, don't be angry with me." She leaned into Christopher's side, pretending to be crying. "I was just trying to be nice to her, but she hit me."

Mrs. Knight's voice rose in rage again. "Ashlyn, how dare you act this way? You ungrateful little..."

I couldn't hold back any longer. I took a deep breath, taking a quick look at the three of them. "You all disgust me. Every single one of you. Scum, each one of you."

The room fell into stunned silence. Even Christopher looked shocked by my words, I bet he hadn't seen this part of me.

I turned on my heel and walked away, with the sting of the slap still fresh on my face. "Soon, you all will get your revenge," I mumbled.