BOOK II.
Four months have passed since Ashton and Ria's relationship fell into ruins. He's convinced that she hates him and she believes he never loved her. Giving up on each other, they attempt to mend their loneliness in the arms of their past; Ch...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
THE TRIP BACK to Camille's is dangling between nostalgic and leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. As Ria drives them down to the old gallery, he drowns in a deluge of overwhelming sensations.
"I just don't believe it," he repeats, barely reaching above a whisper. "Daniel was like my brother. I trusted him with my life and it turns out he's been manipulating me for years." He shakes his head and stares out the fog-stained window as they pass by sleek structures and crimson tail lights. "Who do I have now?"
"You have me," Ria replies softly.
"You're my girlfriend. It's not the same."
She's quiet for a moment before offering, "There are Dea and Vivian."
"Dea is like a big sister to me. Vivian is...she's not the same. Still, Daniel knows everything about me. I have no secrets with him. He knows me better than he probably knows himself."
"Which might be why he was able to forge a letter from me that would hurt you with just the right words."
Ashton leans his cheek on his palm and glares at the precipitation gliding down his window. "He said he didn't do anything to harm our relationship. I don't know if I believe him though. He's probably buying time to cover his ass."
"I'm really sorry." Ria glances at him before focusing back on the road. "I didn't want to be right about Daniel. I wish none of our friends were trying to break us apart."
"So, I no longer have a best friend. My half-sister and I are trying to start a family with the mess our parents have left. Let's see, what else can I tick off the list of my shitty life? I'm currently being hunted down by a mob boss who has ruined my life and wants to use me to murder people. My first love was ruined because my best friend tore us apart. My current love nearly died because of my ex's psychotic brother." Ashton taps his lips and pretends to think. "My father doesn't acknowledge my existence and my mother is more interested in her affair than her own children. Did I miss anything?"
"Ashton." Ria reaches over and rubs his hand but he shifts it away.
"This just reminds me of why I used drugs so often. I don't have to think about how shitty my life is."
"Was," she insists in a harsh tone. "You're making so much progress now."
"I know, I know. I'm trying to be healthy. It's just...what the fuck am I supposed to do when I'm so depressed and want to end it all?"
Lately, the demons that have hunted him since he was a kid has come right back to hover in his shadows. They linger in his presence, waiting for his most vulnerable state to show just so they can tear his sanity to shreds.
"Hey." Ria comes to an abrupt stop in front of the gallery and lays her sullen gaze on him. "Don't talk like that."
Guilt gnaws at his heels from her hurt expression and he immediately regrets saying it. "You know I would never do that. I'm just expressing myself."
