A Line Crossed
“Ashley Donaldson, will you marry me?” Ethan’s voice rang confidently, his smirk daring her to say no as he held out the extravagant ring.
Ashley didn’t hesitate. “No.”
Her sharp reply cut through the tension in the room, leaving everyone momentarily stunned.
She turned on her heel to leave, her mind racing with indignation. But before she could take more than two steps, her father’s stern voice stopped her in her tracks.
“Emerald, sit down.”
Ashley froze, her jaw tightening as she reluctantly turned back. Her father’s gaze was as cold as steel, and she knew better than to defy him outright—at least not yet. She took a seat but crossed her arms defiantly.
“Father,” she began, her tone firm, “Ethan is manipulative, and I would rather marry a tree than him. He would be the last man on earth I’d ever consider.”
Ethan chuckled, clearly unfazed. “I see you’re still as spirited as ever, Ashley. That’s one of the things I admire about you.”
Ashley glared at him. “Admire? Don’t make me laugh. You’re doing this for power, not admiration.”
“Enough!” her father barked, his voice echoing in the spacious room.
Ashley’s eyes softened slightly as she turned to Moreno. “Mr. Moreno, I apologize for the scene. I hope this doesn’t damage our professional relationship.”
Moreno gave her a small nod, but his expression remained neutral.
“And to you, Father,” she continued, her voice quieter, “I hope my decision doesn’t create more distance between us. But I won’t be manipulated into something so vile.”
Without waiting for a response, Ashley stood and walked away, her heart pounding in her chest. She reached her room and slammed the door behind her, letting out a frustrated scream.
“Who the hell does he think he is?” she muttered, pacing the room like a caged animal.
Her fury was short-lived as the door suddenly burst open, slamming against the wall with a loud bang. Her father stormed in, his face red with anger.
“Where are your manners, Emerald?” he roared. “You embarrass me in front of a business partner, and you slam doors like a petulant child? What’s gotten into you?”
Ashley whirled around, her eyes blazing. “What’s gotten into me? You’re the one trying to auction me off to the highest bidder like I’m a piece of property! How dare you expect me to marry someone like Ethan? He’s a liar, a manipulator, and a disgrace!”
Her father took a step closer, his finger pointing accusingly at her. “You don’t get to decide what’s best for this family. I do! And Ethan’s proposal is what’s best for us. Did you ask for my permission before you married that jerk of a man you married?”
Ashley shook her head, tears of frustration pooling in her eyes. “I’m not a pawn in your business deals, Father. I’m your daughter, and I deserve better than this!”
The argument escalated, their voices overlapping as accusations and frustrations spilled out. Finally, her father’s voice cut through hers like a knife.
“If you continue to defy me,” he said coldly, “I will strip you of your title as heiress. You will lose everything—your position, your inheritance, your name. Is that what you want?”
Ashley staggered back as though he’d struck her. “You’d do that to me? Your own daughter?”
“Yes,” he said without hesitation. “Because you’re putting your selfish desires above this family’s legacy.”
Before Ashley could respond, another voice entered the fray.
“I agree!”
Both Ashley and her father turned to see her mother standing in the doorway, her presence commanding the room.
Ashley’s heart sank. Surely her mother would take her side.
But her mother’s icy glare was directed at her. “Do you think we don’t know about the nightly calls you’ve been making? About Demitri in the hospital? We know everything, Ashley. You’ve underestimated your family.”
Ashley’s breath caught in her throat. “Mother, I was—”
Her mother silenced her with a wave of her hand. “Don’t bother lying. Your actions have already brought shame to this family. The rumors, the headlines, the scandal—it’s all because of you. And now you want to throw away the one chance we have to salvage our name?”
Ashley felt the walls closing in around her. “Demitri doesn’t deserve this,” she said quietly.
Her mother’s expression turned venomous. “Cruel men like that don’t deserve our pity, Emerald. I thought I raised you to be better. But if you insist on acting weak…” She trailed off, her meaning clear.
Ashley’s heart pounded. “What are you saying?”
Her mother stepped closer, her voice low and dangerous. “If you refuse to do what needs to be done, then I will. I’ll get rid of him myself.”
Ashley’s blood ran cold. “Mother, no—”
But her mother was already walking out, her heels clicking ominously against the floor.
“Mother!” Ashley called, chasing after her. But the door slammed shut, leaving Ashley alone in her room, her heart racing with fear and despair.