Chapter 64

CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR

ASHLEY

I place my foot on each step carefully, hoping I can remember which ones creak and where I need to step to avoid it. It's not easy, especially carrying the small suitcase I've packed, but I think I get to the bottom without making any noise and alerting either of them to my presence.

I am not creeping down the stairs, in the hopes that I can overhear what Zain is saying to my mom.

I refuse to acknowledge the surge of disappointment when I walk into the living room, to find Zain sitting at one end of the couch, a mug of coffee in his hand, and looking like he's the most relaxed person on the planet.

My mom is talking about the store she owns in town, her voice animated and one hand waving along with her words.

"I'm ready." My voice comes out sharper than I intend, and two pairs of eyes turn toward me.

Zain pats the cushion between them.

"What's the rush? Why don't you make yourself a cup of tea, and come sit down? Your mom is telling me about some of the antiques she sells. "

The lazy drawl sets off butterflies in my stomach. And not the fun ones when you're anticipating something nice. He's building up to something. And my gut is telling me I won't like the outcome.

"I thought we had to get back."

"Might as well enjoy spending some quality time with your mom before I steal you away from her for a few days."

"Oh, Zain!" My mom laughs … laughs , and reaches out a hand to pat his, where it's still resting on the cushion. "My daughter rarely spends time with me. Not since she left town." She frowns slightly. "Ashley, what about?—"

I know exactly what she's about to say. "I broke up with Scott, Mom. Zain knows all about him."

Her frown clears. "That's a shame. He was nice." She glances at Zain. "No offense meant."

"None taken." The smirk warns me he's about to say something I won't like. "But I don't think nice is what Ashley is looking for in a man."

"I always thought she'd grow bored of him. But she surprised me. The relationship lasted a lot longer than I thought it would."

"Mom!" I can't believe she's saying that.

"I'm sorry, honey. I like Scott. But he's not exactly …" She gives a shrug. "He's very sweet, but there was no fire there."

"You have no idea what you're talking about."

"Darling, you walked all over him. Whatever you wanted, he gave you. No argument. I'm surprised you didn't get bored sooner."

"I'm not having this conversation with you." Especially in front of Zain .

"He proposed to her, you know." He delivers the news in a lazy drawl.

My jaw drops.

How does he know that? Oh my god, has he spoken to Scott?

I'm in hell. I must be. What did I do to deserve this?

His eyes meet mine, and the gleam in them makes me believe he knows what I'm thinking.

You fucked up my life. That's what you did to deserve this.

I can hear his voice inside my head, see the malicious intent in his smile. I can't pull my gaze away from his. It's like he's caught me in a web and I can't escape. His smile widens slightly.

This is another game. Another form of control.

"Is that true? When?" Mom's voice gives me the excuse I need to look away.

"Yes, on Sunday." There's no point in lying to her.

"Is that why you came here? Are you running away?"

"No! I was already here when he told me that when I got home he was going to ask me to marry him."

"Oh, Ashley." Her sigh makes me feel like a kid again. One whose report card hasn't matched the expectations she'd set. Her disappointment is evident. I'm just not sure what it's aimed at.

"Can we leave now?"

I don't look at Zain. I'm not sure I'll be able to hide the hate I feel for him right now if I have to see his face. So much for feeling guilty and wanting to make amends. Now I just want to wipe that stupid smirk off his face.

"But things are just getting interesting. "

I grind my teeth at the amusement in his tone. "Then I'll wait outside."

Grabbing the handle of my suitcase, I pick it up and walk out of the room, ignoring my mom's call for me to wait.

When Zain comes out a few minutes later, I'm sitting on the steps outside the house. He walks past me, then turns once he's on the sidewalk. All signs of the relaxed man from inside have gone. His features are hard, his lips set into an unsmiling line.

"That was rude." All warmth has gone from his voice.

I don't care.

"Was it?"

"You should show some respect to your mother."

"Respect … I should respect her?" The laugh that breaks free holds a tinge of hysteria. "You really are crazy, aren't you? And that's what you're doing to me. That's your plan, isn't it? You have no intention of having my mom arrested. You just want to drive me insane. To send me over the edge until I lose all grip on sanity." I force the words out through my laughter.

Laughter I can't stop. Because I've figured it out now.

He warned me that he wanted to ruin my life. He threatened my mom. He forced me to sign a contract that I'm pretty confident is illegal.

But really … this is what he wants. To make me look crazy. To make everyone around me think I've lost my mind.

And … I can't stop laughing.

Because it's working.

I saw my mom's face before I walked out. She's firmly in Zain's camp now. He showed her a version of himself that couldn't possibly be any kind of monster.

That's me.

I'm the monster in this story.