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22
ASHLYN
Istood there, still reeling from the emotions of the race. Celebrating the incredible run that Phantom and I had just completed.
Then the joy and pride that had filled my heart began to wither away, replaced by an icy dread as Monica approached. She moved through the crowd with a grace that belied the malice in her eyes, her presence commanding attention like a dark storm cloud descending over a sunny day.
Monica was devastatingly beautiful, as always. Her hair perfectly styled, her outfit impeccable, and her smile a razor-sharp weapon hidden behind a veil of sophistication. The time we had spent apart
hadn’t dulled her allure. If anything, it had only sharpened the edges of her charm. But I knew better than anyone the poison that lurked beneath that polished exterior.
As she closed the distance between us, I felt my body go rigid, the warmth of Stephanie’s embrace slipping away as the cold reality of Monica’s arrival settled in. My heart pounded in my chest, not with the adrenaline of victory, but with a growing sense of dread.
“Good race, Ashlyn,” Monica sneered, her voice laced with a venomous sweetness. The words dripped with sarcasm—a deliberate mockery of everything I had just accomplished. My hands, which had been holding Stephanie so tenderly just moments ago, clenched into fists at my sides as I fought to maintain my composure.
Stephanie’s arms loosened around me as she sensed the shift, her gaze flicking between Monica and me, confusion and concern etched on her face. I could see the questions forming in her mind, but before she could ask, Monica turned her attention to her, a predatory smile curling on her lips.
“And you must be Stephanie Morley,” Monica purred, her tone dripping with faux politeness. “I’ve heard so much about you. Tell me, how does it feel to be the latest in a long line of owners to catch Ashlyn’s eye? She has a kink for an older woman who is employing her, but then, I’m sure you know that.”
The words hung in the air like a slap, the insult barely veiled. I saw Stephanie’s eyes widen in shock, her brows knitting together as she processed the barb. My stomach churned with guilt and anger—anger at Monica for her cruelty and guilt for the secrets I had kept from Stephanie.
Monica didn’t stop there, however. She stepped closer to Stephanie, her gaze cutting like a knife. “Did you know, darling, that Ashlyn can never race again in Kentucky? Funny, isn’t it? As talented as she is, banned from the entire state. But then again, that’s what happens when you choose sex and money over everything.”
I felt as if the ground had been ripped out from under me. The truth, which I had kept hidden so carefully, was now laid bare in the most brutal way possible. Stephanie’s face paled and I saw the hurt flash in her eyes as the weight of Monica’s words sank in.
“Monica, stop,” I hissed, stepping forward, my voice trembling with a mix of desperation and fury. “This isn’t about you. This has nothing to do with you.”
But Monica just laughed—a cold, hollow sound that sent shivers down my spine. “Oh, but it has everything to do with me, Ashlyn. You think you can just walk away from what we had, from what I gave you, and start fresh? You think you can hide who you really are?”
Her words cut deep, each one like a knife twisting in my gut. I could feel Stephanie’s gaze burning into me, her silence louder than any accusation she could have made. I had wanted to protect her from this, from the ugliness of my past, but now it was too late.
“I never hid anything from you,” I shot back, my voice shaking with emotion. “What we had . . . it was a mistake, and I’ve paid for it every day since.”
Monica’s eyes narrowed, the mask of charm slipping to reveal the bitterness beneath. “A mistake?
Is that what you call it? You used me, Ashlyn. You took everything I gave you, and then you walked away when you got what you wanted. But you can’t run from your past forever.”
I felt a lump forming in my throat as I turned to Stephanie, my heart breaking at the hurt and confusion in her eyes. “Stephanie, I . . . I didn’t want you to find out like this. I was going to tell you, I swear. But it’s not what she’s making it out to be.”
Stephanie stared at me, her expression unreadable, and I could feel the distance growing between us with every passing second. The connection we had shared, the love that had blossomed between us, now felt fragile, like it was on the verge of shattering under the weight of the truth.
Monica’s smile widened as she saw the impact of her words, satisfied with the chaos she had sown. “Good luck with your little texan ranch, Ashlyn. I wonder how long it will take before you get bored and move on to the next owner with short skirts and deep pockets.”
With that, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving a trail of devastation in her wake. I stood there, frozen, as the world around me seemed to crumble. Stephanie remained silent, her eyes fixed on the ground, and I could feel the wall between us growing taller, thicker, and surely impossible to breach.
“Stephanie,” I whispered, my voice choked with emotion. “Please, just let me explain.”
She looked up at me, her eyes filled with a mix of hurt, betrayal, and something else—something that looked dangerously close to resignation. “Explain what, Ashlyn? That you’ve been lying to
me? That there’s this whole part of your life I knew nothing about?”
“I didn’t want to lie to you,” I pleaded, stepping closer, but she took a step back, the distance between us growing. “I just . . . I didn’t want to lose you. I didn’t want my past to ruin what we have.”
She shook her head, her expression hardening. “You should have trusted me. You should have told me the truth.”
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut and I felt the tears welling up in my eyes. “I’m sorry, Stephanie. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know how to tell you. I didn’t want to hurt you.”
She looked at me for a long moment, her gaze searching mine, and I could see the conflict in her eyes. But then she shook her head again, her shoulders slumping with a sadness that tore at my heart. “I need some time, Ashlyn. I need to think.”
