Ash's pov ;
As I sat there, lost in my thoughts, the door to my cell creaked open. Noah entered his face etched with worry. "Ash, are you okay?"
I nodded, though my mind was miles away. "I'm fine, Noah."
"Did he say anything to you?" he asked concernedly.
"He hinted that there's a real reason for all this," I replied in a low voice as I was tired of speaking. "But he didn't tell what it was."
Noah sat across from , his face twisted with frustration and worry. His fingers drumd anxiously on the table between us.
"Ash, I've tried everything," he began after a mont, his voice heavy with defeat. "Legal teams, personal favours, even contacting so of my old friends. But Elijah's influence is too strong. I can't get you out of here. I'm sorry."
I sighed deeply, the weight of the situation pressing down on like a physical burden. My shoulders drooped, and I rubbed my temples, feeling the onset of a headache. "I appreciate everything you're doing, Noah. It's not your fault so don't apologise. You have already done so much for ."
He ran a hand through his hair tiredly. His eyes, usually so bright and lively, were now clouded with helplessness. "I can't believe he's using all of his power just to put you here. I should have punched him a few more tis, broke his jaw and-"
"What?" I exclaid in shock and his face stiffened in guilt. "You went to et him."
He nodded while letting out a long sigh. "I just went there to warn him to get you out. But I shouldn't have thought so. The scene I saw upon reaching them fouled my eyes. I almost puked seeing them doing shit–!" His eyes widened as he realised that he accidentally slipped those words.
"Saw...what?" I narrowed my eyes as I impatiently waited for him to continue, but he looked at in horror, and I could see the conflict in his whether to tell or not. "Noah, tell what did you see?"
When I increased the volu of my voice, he groaned. "I saw them...all over each other when I went to confront him."
I stiffened and a sour chuckle escaped my lips. My eyes darted everywhere but at Noah, my fingers dug into my palm.
"Of course they were. Another proof that he cheated on , openly flaunting his new relationship," My heart ached with a familiar pain, a sharp twist of betrayal and sorrow.
Noah looked at , regret evident in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Ash. I didn't an to make things worse."
I shook my head, trying to dispel the fog of despair settling over . "It's not your fault."
As Noah continued to talk about the chaos outside and on the internet, my mind wandered.
Elijah had never been manipulative, but this level of vengeance was beyond anything I could have imagined. What had I done to make him hate so much? Images of Elijah's resentful eyes flashed in my mind, sending a shiver down my spine. I felt a cold sweat break out across my forehead, and I took a deep breath to steady myself.
I needed to find out the truth because his words and actions pointed to a deeper reason for his hatred. And I can't let him destroy the lives of those around because of it.
So, even though I don't wish to listen to or agree to his deals, I must find out the reason for his so-called revenge. Why is he so determined to his revenge on out of the blue? Why now and why not years ago? Why not when we were married and living together?
In the process, if I have to listen to him for a while. I'm ready for it. The mont I learn about that reason, I'll leave him and move to sowhere he could never find .
"Noah," I let out hurriedly and determinedly, startling him. "You need to take my ssage to Elijah."
Noah looked at , confused and worried. His brows furrowed, and he leaned forward, scanning my face. "What do you an?"
"Tell him I want to talk. I'll give him my answer, but only after he gets out of here." I tried to infuse my voice with confidence, though my heart pounded wildly in my chest.
Noah's eyes widened in alarm, his face paling. "Are you serious? What answer? You're not thinking about doing that I'm guessing you are?"
I nodded, my determination hardening even as my hands trembled slightly.
Noah shook his head vehently, his eyes pleading with . "No, Ash. You don't have to do this. We can find another way."
I smiled softly at him, touched by his concern. I placed a hand on his arm, feeling the warmth of his skin against my cold fingers. "Noah, it's okay. I know what I'm doing. This is the only way to get to the bottom of this."
"Please, Ash. Don't do this. He's dangerous, and I can't stand to see you hurt more than you already have been."
"I know," I said gently, there's no going back now. I have made up my mind. "But I need to find out why he's doing this. And I can't let him hurt anyone else because of ."
I pushed him towards the door and he gave one last pleading look. I smiled and nodded. "Go."
As Noah left to deliver the ssage, I leaned back against the cold wall.
"Let's see what secrets you were hiding all this ti, Elijah."
************
ELIJAH'S POV ;
When I received the call from my lawyer, I wasn't expecting it so soon.
"Mr. Stone, Mr. Ash is ready to et you and give his answer."
For a mont, I was taken aback. I hadn't anticipated Ash agreeing to et so quickly. But then a slow smile spread across my face, a mix of pride and satisfaction. I felt a surge of victory.
I hung up and quickly called my secretary. "Is the contract ready?" I asked, my voice sharp and businesslike.
The secretary nodded, adjusting his glasses nervously. "Yes, Mr. Stone. We just need to finalise Mr. Ash's conditions."
"Good," I said, leaning back in my chair with utmost satisfaction. I couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration.
"Do you think Ash will agree to this contract, Sir?" the secretary asked in his hesitant voice.
I drifted my eyes at him and he flinched. "I did my best so that he doesn't have a choice," I said firmly. "He'll agree."
The secretary paused, then added, "Before giving his answer we are inford that he wants to be out first."
My smile faltered for a mont. I frowned, my fingers tapping rhythmically on the desk. But then I smirked, dark thoughts taking over my thoughts.
"Let's get him out, then. Ask the lawyer to prepare to get him out while organising a private eting with Ash."
I could already picture the mont. Ash, desperate and vulnerable, was left with no option but to agree to my terms. And now he would co to understand that no matter how hard he fought, I would always be one step ahead. He would soon realise that there was no escaping , no matter how much he resisted.
I glanced at the contract on my desk, the terms were clear and uncompromising. He would be mine to use and throw, bound by the very papers he would soon sign. And once he did, I would have the satisfaction of knowing that he had co crawling back, just as I had always known he would.
My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. "Mr. Stone, the arrangents have been made," my secretary inford .
"Good," I smirked, standing up and straightening my suit. "Let's go get my little actor."
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