- 07.
After everything that had happened, Ashley’s
trust in me was absolute, bordering on blind
faith.
I’d taken care of her during pregnancy,
rushed her to the hospital, fought for her, and
guided her down this “bright” path. Of course
she was attached to me.
Human nature is truly a twisted thing. Last
time, I genuinely tried to help her, but I
became a thorn in their relationship, a thorn
Ryan had to remove.
This time, I pretended to help, manipulating
her every step of the way, and earned
everyone’s praise.
Me, the rebellious, unconventional,
“overeducated spinster,” was now the family’s
source of wisdom. They even told Ashley to
learn from me.
My single status was now attributed to “bad
<
timing,” not my personality.
IW
I continued manipulating Ashley, occasionally stirring the pot with Ryan’s mother, but
mostly focusing on my career.
Two years later…
I was busy setting up a branch office when
Ashley showed up at my company with Logan. “Sarah, you have to help me…”
I hadn’t seen Ashley in a while.
Thanks to my efforts, she was now living a
life of constant verbal abuse, punctuated by
occasional beatings.
Her social media portrayed a picture of
blissful domesticity, but the reality was far
more grim.
Even knowing her struggles, I wasn’t prepared
for the sight before me.
Her once–attractive features were now
obscured by layers of fat. She must have
gained sighty ninety pounds2
L
gained… eighty, ninety pounds?
She’d stopped grooming herself, her
eyebrows unruly, lips chapped, skin dull… The delicate little white flower had
transformed into a monstrous, repulsive… corpse flower.
I quickly averted my gaze.
Once inside the conference room, Ashley finally explained her predicament.
“Sarah, Logan is two, and he still doesn’t
speak. The doctor said he’s developmentally delayed. Why didn’t you tell me XYY babies
could have intellectual disabilities?”
There it was. The true Ashley, in full bloom.
Blaming others before taking any
responsibility. Who else could it be?
“How was I supposed to know? You’re his
mother! Didn’t you do any research?”
I placed a glass of water in front of her,
alaring.
She swallowed the harsher words she wanted
to say, muttering, “But… you told me to keep him…”
I scoffed.
“Ashley, did I impregnate you? Don’t forget, if it wasn’t for me, your mother–in–law would have let you die in childbirth.”
Seeing her fear, I softened my expression, adopting a gentler tone.
“I’m sorry, Ashley. Work’s been stressful, and with Logan… I shouldn’t have snapped at you. Don’t take it personally. I’m always on your side.”
I sat beside her. “Sometimes I envy you. You don’t have to work. You have no idea how
annoying it is.
One step back, two steps forward.
Ashley, predictably, softened towards me,
assuring me she wasn’t offended, that we
were best friends forever.
<
Then she launched into another litany of
complaints.
Apparently, Ryan and his mother blamed her
for Logan’s condition. His mother even
questioned Logan’s paternity.
“My son was always smart! Top grades, successful career! He couldn’t possibly have a child like this! You must have cheated on him! You brought some bastard into our family to taint our bloodline!”
They even subjected Logan to a paternity
test, which confirmed he was indeed Ryan’s
son.
As Ashley spoke, I observed Logan.
This child… his issues weren’t just
intellectual.
