A Final Fall novel Chapter 5

Ethan, unable to contain himself any longer, grabbed a shard of broken glass from the floor and sliced his hand. Blood welled up, staining the pristine carpet.

"Ashley, it hurts!" he whimpered.

It was a familiar tactic, the one he had used to send me to prison.

I remembered his words, spoken with a cruel smile. "Don't you get it, Leo? Ashley has always loved me. You're just in the way."

"Ashley and I are meant to be. We're already together. So, do yourself a favor and step aside. Don't humiliate yourself any further."

His words had pierced me, filling me with doubt and despair. I knew about Ashley's concern for Ethan, her constant attentiveness. His declaration had shaken me, but I had loved Ashley too much to give up without a fight.

"I don't believe you. I'm going to talk to Ashley."

Ethan's composure cracked. "Don't you have any pride, Leo? The truth is staring you in the face, and you still want to cling to her?"

I ignored him, my heart pounding as I walked towards the stairs.

And then, it happened. Ethan stumbled, falling backwards down the stairs, a cry escaping his lips. But there was no pain in his eyes, only a strange, triumphant gleam.

I turned to see Ashley standing at the top of the stairs.

"Ashley, don't blame Leo. He just loves you too much. That's why he pushed me." Ethan lay sprawled on the floor, a growing pool of blood staining his white shirt.

"No! Ashley, you have to believe me! I didn't..." Panic surged through me. I had to make her understand.

But Ashley's eyes were cold, her voice filled with venom. "If anything happens to Ethan, I will make you pay." She helped him up, her touch gentle, and they left without another glance.

Ethan, his face twisted in a malicious grin, winked at me as they disappeared down the hall.

I knew it was a setup, a carefully orchestrated act, but no one believed me.

At the hospital, when the news of Ethan's injuries reached Ashley, she had kicked me, her heel digging into my gut. Her guards had restrained me as she called for a doctor, her voice cold and resolute.

"Get rid of it."

I begged her, pleaded with her, my paternal instincts screaming in protest, but it was no use. She had walked into that room, her stomach slightly rounded, and emerged minutes later, her body empty, her face pale but determined.