Beyond the Ashes

Evelyn Thorpe's father Jonny Thorpe drove fatigued, causing a devastating accident that left Aidan Harrison and his beloved Dayna Anders gravely injured.

To atone for her father's mistake, Evelyn willingly cared for Aidan, who had lost his memory, for three years, becoming his secret lover.

It wasn't until she overheard a conversation between Aidan and his friend that Evelyn realized he had never lost his memory.

He had been pretending to conceal the truth about the accident's real cause.

His beloved Dayna was the one responsible for Jonny's death.

Three years of devotion had been misplaced, but Evelyn held back her pain and began gathering evidence.

She planned to give them a grand surprise on their wedding day.

...

Aidan's Akita dog, Max, often wandered out of the villa on his own. Unable to find him, Evelyn called his tracker and learned he was with Aidan.

Before she could speak, she heard Aidan's assistant Gary Smith speaking.

"Mr. Harrison, Ms. Anders returns from abroad next week. Should we start preparing for your wedding now?"

"Yes, the wedding is in two weeks. Begin preparations. Everything must be perfect. Dayna is very particular."

"Of course, Mr. Harrison. After the accident, Ms. Anders was severely injured and spent three years recovering abroad. I hear she's doing well now."

Aidan responded calmly. "Dayna was always headstrong. If she hadn't insisted on driving without a license, the accident wouldn't have happened."

His assistant's tone lightened. "Luckily, you were clever, Mr. Harrison, switching Jonny Thorpe into the driver's seat and faking amnesia to fool Evelyn. Now that Ms. Anders is back healthy, you can stop pretending."

"Indeed. Three years of acting wasn't easy, though I feel a bit sorry for Evelyn. After all, her father took the fall for Dayna."

Evelyn's eyes widened in shock, and she held her breath, afraid to make a sound as tears silently streamed down her face.

Aidan hadn't lost his memory? What really happened in that accident?

Gary spoke again. "Jonny was your family's driver. It was his honor to take the blame for your future wife.

Besides, you've been good to Evelyn over the years. That's compensation enough for them."

Aidan let out a cold laugh. "You're right. Even after I marry Dayna, I won't mistreat Evelyn. Max, let's go home!"

Hearing Aidan call the dog's name, Evelyn quickly hung up, her heart crushed as if by a boulder, leaving her dizzy with pain.

Had she been living a lie for three years?

Evelyn's mother had been ill since her birth and passed away, leaving the family in debt.

Jonny and Evelyn relied on each other until she was fourteen, when he became the driver for Aidan, the only son of the Harrison Group, improving their lives.

But three years ago, an accident changed everything. Jonny and the other driver died on the spot, while Dayna and Aidan, in the back seat, were seriously injured.

Dayna's family took her abroad for treatment, and Aidan, after surviving, lost his memory.

The police held Jonny fully responsible, demanding a hefty compensation.

With the family barely getting by, Evelyn couldn't afford it. The Harrisons offered to cover the debt on the condition that she care for Aidan.

Evelyn had always liked Aidan, and knowing her father's mistake caused his amnesia filled her with guilt. She vowed to stay by his side forever.

Thankfully, Aidan, despite his memory loss, never resented Evelyn and treated her kindly.

One night, after he got drunk, Evelyn half-heartedly became his secret lover.

She knew Aidan was engaged to Dayna and felt grateful for the Harrisons' help. She understood he was out of her league, but being near him was enough.

Yet, she never imagined her salvation was a deception, and her father's death was merely a tool to protect Dayna.

The bitter truth was that for three years, Evelyn carried guilt for the harm she thought her father caused, when they were the ones truly wronged.

The sound of the door opening signaled Aidan's return. Evelyn hastily wiped her tears, not wanting him to notice her distress.

"Sweetheart, why didn't you pick up the phone?" Aidan changed his shoes and pulled Evelyn into a warm embrace, kissing her lips without hesitation.

For three years, Evelyn never refused his advances, but today, she instinctively pushed him away.

Aidan's brow furrowed slightly. "What's wrong? Are you upset? Your eyes are red. Have you been crying?"

He gently caressed her cheek, his expression soft with concern.

Evelyn looked at Aidan, the man she had loved since she was fourteen, for a full decade. But today, every illusion she held about him shattered.

"Aidan, if you regained your memory, would you still love me like this?"

He paused, then gave a gentle smile. "Silly, of course I'd love you. I swear, you're the only one I'll love in this lifetime."

He leaned down, capturing her lips with his, a once-familiar warmth now utterly foreign. He claimed to love only her, yet he deceived her for three years.

The moment Aidan touched Evelyn, he lost himself in desire. Her body always captivated him. Breathing heavily, he pressed her beneath him.

Had he been more patient, he would have seen the desperate tears on her face.

"This is for you. I bought it abroad the other day. I thought it suits you perfectly." Aidan placed a gemstone necklace around Evelyn's neck, kissing her skin softly before falling into a deep sleep.

Evelyn got up, feeling hollow, and removed the necklace, placing it in the study's jewelry box alongside countless other pieces. She didn't know their brands and rarely wore them.

She used to wonder why Aidan always gifted her things after intimacy. Now she understood. In his mind, she was just another item with a price tag.

The more he gave, the less guilt he felt toward her father and her.

Evelyn packed her things, tears streaming down her face. She didn't care whether Aidan would marry her, but she cared deeply that her father had died carrying an unjust blame, and that Aidan had deceived her.

She refused to let herself sink further into despair. She decided to leave and seek justice for her father.

In the darkness of the night, Evelyn made her way to the underground parking garage. She remembered the car from the accident three years ago, repaired and left in the garage. She hoped it might hold some evidence.

When she saw the dashcam inside the car, her hands trembled with excitement.

She hurried to the study to review the footage. In the video, Dayna insisted on driving, but Jonny smiled and tried to stop her. "Ms. Anders, you don't have a license yet. Wait until..."

Before he could finish, Dayna flung open the driver's door and yanked Jonny out with a haughty attitude. "You're just the Harrisons' dog. Aidan already agreed, so why are you talking so much? Get out."

Jonny glanced at Aidan, who silently permitted it, and obediently moved to the passenger seat. Within two minutes, Dayna veered into oncoming traffic.

She screamed in panic, and Jonny, quick to act, yanked the steering wheel toward himself.

Evelyn sobbed uncontrollably as she watched. She knew her father had given Dayna a chance to live.

Covered in blood, he shielded Dayna with his body. "Young master, please... save me..."

Jonny's voice was weak, but Aidan, realizing the crash had happened, didn't save Jonny first. Instead, he pushed Jonny's body aside to reach Dayna.

"Aidan, it wasn't me. It was the driver who hit them, right? Please help me! I don't want to go to jail."

Dayna sobbed, clinging to Aidan. He pulled her into his arms, comforting her before making a decision. "You're right, Dayna. Jonny was driving. His mistake caused the accident. It's all his fault, understand? Don't worry, I'll keep you safe."

He moved Dayna to the back seat, dragged the still-pleading Jonny to the driver's seat, and returned to Dayna's side. He comforted her until she calmed down, only then calling the police.

Evelyn's eyes stared blankly, as if her soul had been drained.

Her father's blood in the video, dripping and soaking his clothes, seeped into her heart.

She clutched her chest, gasping for air, as if someone had carved out her heart. A suppressed whimper escaped her throat.

How could Aidan be so cruel? Why didn't he save her father?

Jonny always said he was grateful for the job with the Harrisons, driving with utmost respect and dedication.

Evelyn believed that even without Aidan's scheme, her kind-hearted father would have taken the blame for Dayna.

But they didn't trust him and denied him even a chance to survive.

Evelyn leaned back in the chair, her frail shoulders trembling uncontrollably.

She swore to herself, "Aidan, you will pay for everything you've done."

Evelyn made a phone call, "Hello, Rachel, does that offer from the translation agency in Nevoria still stand?"

Rachel Fowler was thrilled. Evelyn was a top student in Nevorian studies, and Rachel had invited her multiple times. Finally, she agreed. "Of course it stands! Hurry and handle your travel documents. You can start in two weeks."

Two weeks? That was the day of Aidan and Dayna's wedding.

Evelyn planned to give them a grand gift on that day.

Early the next morning, the jewelry appraiser knocked on the door.

After Evelyn handed over the items, she turned and saw Aidan standing behind her.

His face darkened. "Did you sell everything I bought you?"

Evelyn's eyelashes trembled. Of course she sold them-they were what he owed her. "No, I sent them for maintenance."

Aidan sighed in relief and reached out to pat her head. "You scared me. I thought you didn't like my gifts."

Evelyn subtly dodged his touch. It was her father's memorial day, and in three years, Aidan had never joined her to pay respects.

She once thought he resented her father, but now she knew he was likely afraid to face him.

"Aidan, today is the third anniversary of my dad's passing. Will you come with me to visit his grave?" She stared into his eyes, searching for any trace of remorse. If he felt even a hint of guilt, he would go to her father's grave, kneel, and apologize.

Aidan sensed something different about Evelyn today. She had never made such a request before. Seeing the grief in her eyes, he found himself unable to refuse. "Okay, I'll go with you."

Jonny was buried near a small river in the suburbs, the same place where Evelyn first met Aidan.

Back then, Aidan and his classmates were sketching in the suburbs when he slipped into the rain-swollen river. Jonny and Evelyn passed by and saved him.

To show gratitude, the Harrisons hired Jonny as their driver and arranged for Evelyn to attend Aidan's school, covering all her tuition.

That was when Evelyn fell for Aidan.

She gazed out the window, filled with regret. If she could choose again, she would have stopped her father from saving Aidan. But life offered no do-overs.

Aidan, recalling the past, grew solemn. Evelyn spoke softly. "Aidan, how did you fall into the river that year?"

A smile crept onto his lips. "My classmate insisted I catch a frog for him. I lost my balance and fell in. Luckily..."

He stopped abruptly, glancing at Evelyn. Her eyes were red, her lips curled in faint disdain. "So you still remember."

Aidan's heart skipped a beat, realizing he was supposed to be amnesiac and shouldn't recall such details. "My classmates mentioned it at a reunion. How would I remember that?"

His eyes darted nervously, avoiding Evelyn's gaze.

Bitterness rose in her throat. If he remembered her father's kindness back then, he wouldn't have let him die.

A sudden phone ring broke the silence.

Perhaps the car was too quiet, or Aidan's phone was too loud, but Evelyn heard Dayna's excited voice on the other end. "Aidan, I came back early! I'm at the airport. Can you pick me up?"

A fond smile spread across Aidan's gloomy face. "Sure, wait for me."

Evelyn watched his expression shift, her heart twisting like a knife.

Aidan hung up and noticed her staring. He spoke awkwardly. "Sorry, sweetheart, there's an urgent company matter. I have to head back."

Evelyn's disappointment stung, but she nodded with a bitter smile. Of course, a dead man couldn't compare to his fiancée.

"We're close to the cemetery. I'll have the driver drop you off, and you can walk the rest of the way. I'll make you something delicious tonight, okay?" Aidan kissed her cheek and had her get out of the car.

Evelyn furiously wiped the spot he kissed until her cheek burned with pain, then stopped.

A few steps later, a bolt of lightning cracked, followed by a torrential downpour. Aidan's car vanished into the rain.

Covered in mud, Evelyn knelt before her father's grave.

She hugged the tombstone, her heart heavy with grief, yet no tears fell. "Dad, I'm leaving. I may not visit often, but trust me, I'll make Aidan kneel before you and confess."

On her way back, Claire called the city's top law firm. "I need your best team to help me fight a case. Name your price."

Evelyn trudged five miles before she found a taxi.

Back home, she began to burn with fever. But she pressed on, preparing the lawsuit documents one by one.

When Aidan returned late at night, he found the house pitch-black, which surprised him.

No matter how late he came back, Evelyn always left a light on for him. Had she not returned today?

He opened the bedroom door and saw Evelyn's figure curled up under the blankets, his heart tightening.

The last time he saw her like this was when he had a severe cold, and Evelyn, caring for him, caught it and fainted in the kitchen with a 104-degree fever.

That incident left her with a condition where fevers triggered seizures.

His eyes darkened as he called out softly. "Sweetheart, are you running a fever? Have you taken any medicine?"

Hearing Aidan's voice, Evelyn, dazed, wanted to move away from him but lacked the strength.

"There's no fever medicine at home." Her voice rasped, her throat sore and raw.

Aidan frowned, stood to buy medicine, but noticed a folder by the bedside. "What's this?"

Evelyn glanced at it calmly-it was the lawsuit documents she hadn't hidden in time. "Nothing, just work files."

Since graduating, she worked in the translation department of Aidan's company and often brought files home, so he didn't suspect anything. "Stay in bed. I'll get the medicine."

His phone rang, and Evelyn saw "Little Vixen" on the screen, knowing it was Dayna.

"Hello, what's wrong?" Aidan walked out, answering the call. Evelyn struggled to get up, needing water from the living room.

"What? Max threw up? Don't cry, I'm bringing a vet right now." Aidan rushed out, eyes full of worry, forgetting to tell Evelyn.

The door slammed shut, and a sharp pain stabbed Evelyn's chest.

Max, the dog Dayna and Aidan raised together, never warmed to Evelyn despite her three years of care.

In Aidan's heart, she ranked below a dog.

For the first time in three years, Aidan didn't come home that night.

Evelyn burned with fever all night, only starting to recover by the next afternoon.

She headed downstairs to buy food but heard noises from the garage.

The neighborhood had good security, so it couldn't be a thief. As she approached, she recognized the sounds of a man and woman in passion.

In the very car where her father died, Aidan held a naked Dayna tightly in his arms.

His muffled groans mixed with Dayna's soft gasps, piercing Evelyn's ears.

Evelyn covered her mouth to stifle her sobs. How could they do this in that car? Weren't they afraid her father's spirit would haunt their dreams?

"Oh... Aidan, doing this here... it's so thrilling!" Dayna tilted her head, offering herself to Aidan's lips, giggling as she kissed his forehead.

Aidan, provoked, grew more fervent, the rhythmic thuds echoing in the quiet garage. "Little vixen, always with your wild ideas, insisting on doing it here."

Dayna nibbled his earlobe, and Aidan groaned, his movements growing frantic.

...

Tears streamed through Evelyn's fingers. She wanted to flee, but her eyes locked with Dayna's.

Dayna smirked at her, eyes full of provocation. "Aidan, who do you love more, me or Evelyn?"

Dayna stared at Evelyn, raising her voice to ask Aidan.

Lost in passion, Aidan rasped, "Of course it's you, darling. I've never loved Evelyn."

Dayna's face glowed with triumph, but Evelyn felt a chill run through her.

She had already decided to leave and didn't care if Aidan loved her, but hearing him say it still made her heart ache until she could barely breathe.

Countless nights, Aidan had held her the same way, whispering love in her ear. She had been too naive, believing he meant it.

The sounds from the garage continued, but Evelyn heard nothing more.

The moment she turned away, she left Aidan behind in her memories forever.