Saving Ash (book #2) Chapter Thirty-two

Cinder

I haven’t been able to shake the guilt from what happened at Bella’s. I asked Sasha if she was going to tell Victor, her master. Her response was instant.

            ‘Of course. Master would know just by looking at me,’ she said.

            I know I should tell Ash. Am I breaking a rule? Of course I am, even on a normal relationship level.

            He’s finally opened up to me, and now I go and betray his trust.

            What’s going to happen to us?

            It’s the day before Christmas, and I wanted everything to be special. Do I tell him right away? Or wait until after. I don’t want to ruin Christmas.

            Somehow, I feel Ash already knows. Lately, he’s been acting suspiciously. That’s probably my own guilt reading into things that aren’t there.

            God, I hate myself. Sasha was right. Bella has some sort of super sex power. It’s like she brainwashed me. How could I let her talk me into what happened?

            Because for some reason, I’m hypersexual ever since being with Ash.

            I will tell him. I have to.

            I shake my head and finish wrapping a present I made for Ash. It’s a sketch of him and Christopher. The one I remember from the picture hidden in the Treasure Island book. I only hope it doesn’t trigger his dark side. I want him to remember his son with happy thoughts. I want him to feel free and feel openly when talking about his son. I’m the only one who knows.

            My phone rings, and I grab it up from the bed.  Ash is calling, and I quickly finish wrapping the picture and hide it in the closet. I answer just before it goes to voicemail.

            “Hello.”

            “Cinder, how was your day?”

            Horribly guilt ridden.

            “Um, good.”

            “Is something wrong? You sound bothered.”

            “Oh, no. I was just wrapping your Christmas present and thought maybe you were on your way up.”

            “You didn’t have to get me anything,” he says.

            “Well, it’s actually like made you something.”

            “Wow, I don’t think anyone has ever made me anything. I already know I will treasure it.”

            I hope so.

            “I know tomorrow is Christmas, but I want to give you your present a day early.”

            “Oh, well I can wait until tomorrow.”

            “It’s something I can’t put under the tree.”

            “Oh?”

            “Yes, so can you be ready in an hour?”

            “I can. Are we going somewhere?”

            “No, it’s coming to us.”

            “Now you have me very intrigued.”

            “I hope so. I’ll be home soon.”

            “Okay. See ya,” I say, and end the call.

            Ohh, I don’t deserve anything. My insides are killing me. The guilt is eating me alive. That’s it. Before he gives me whatever, I will have to tell him.

            I’m a nervous wreck when Ash comes through the door. His sweet smile now kills me. Before, I’d do anything to see that smile. Now, I don’t deserve it.

            “Hi,” he says, and comes over to kiss me. He’s this totally sweet man now, and what I have to tell him will undo all the work he has done to get us here.

            “Hi, Ash,” I say, my voice shakes with guilt.

            “Are you okay? You sound scared.”

            “Ash, I need to tell you something.” He looks at me with concern. My phone rings at the worse time, and I let it go to voicemail.

            “Don’t you want to get that?”

            “No, I’ll check it later.”

            I’m about to say it when Ash’s phone begins ringing. He pulls his phone from the inside of his suit pocket and answers it with a smile.

            “This is Ash Sinclair,” he says, and it sounds so hot. My heart is breaking, and I need to tell him I love him, before I break his heart. I must tell him that I was sexual with another—woman or not. He needs to know.

            “Yes, my driver has the key and will instruct you up. See you in a minute.” He ends the call and puts his phone back into his suit pocket. “Now, what do you need to tell me?”

            “Well… Is someone coming here?”

            “Yes. It’s your Christmas present. The one I told you about on the phone.”

            “Yes…my Christmas present…”

            He smiles, and then kisses me so sweetly on the lips.

            Without another thought, I say. “I love you, Ash. I love you.” My eyes are tearing up.

            “Cinder,” he says breathlessly. “That’s what you wanted to tell me?” Tears fill his beautiful eyes, and my heart tears in two.

            “I wanted you to know…before…”

            The doorbell rings, and Ash pulls me into his arms. “It’s perfect, Cinder. It’s the only thing I want for Christmas. Your love, and the smile on your face when you see what is behind that door.”

            I choke out a sob and wipe my eyes. “Ash, you are too kind. I don’t deserve you.”

            “We deserve each other, Cinder,” he says, and kisses my lips again. “Stay right here.” He leaves my side and goes to open the door. “Please, come in.”

            A lady walks in. She’s pretty, around thirtyish. I don’t know her, or what this has to do with me. She looks over at me and nods with a pressed smile on her face. She then looks behind the door and holds out her arm.

            “Come in, sweetheart. It’s okay,” she says in a sweet voice. She looks kind and warm, like someone you’d wish was your mother.

            I look past her as a young girl walks in looking shy and stands close to the woman. Her mother?

            Ash comes over and rubs my arms. “Merry Christmas, Cinder. I love you.”

            I’m at a loss. I don’t have a clue what is happening. “Ash, what’s going on?” It’s quiet as the four of us look at each other. The lady nods to Ash, giving permission for something.

            “Cinder, this is your little sister, Shelley,” he says quietly next to my ear.

            My heart explodes and suddenly I lose it. Tears come running down my cheeks. I fall into Ash’s arms, and he holds me tightly.

            “It’s okay, Cinder. I’ve made all the arrangements. The Bauers have agreed to let you meet your sister.”

            I turn around and bury my face in his chest. I don’t know what to say. “Ash, I can’t believe you did this. I mean…how?”

            “Don’t you worry how. Just go meet your sister. She wants to meet you.”

            I slowly break from his embrace and turn around to look at the little girl who looks just like I have drawn. How could I not know it was her?

            “Hi,” I say, my voice cracking.

            “Hello.”

            I look up at her mother. The woman looks like a saint. A Donna Reed. All things Mother. With tears in her eyes, she smiles. “It’s nice to meet you, Cinder. Shelley has always known she was adopted.”

            “You kept her name.”

            “Yes, Shelley is a beautiful name.”

            I look from her to my…sister. Beautiful little girl with blonde hair, blue eyes, and little nose. I think about all the things we have missed. Taking care of her and teaching her things. I walk slowly over and bend down.

            “Shelley. You look just like me when I was little.”

            “You’re pretty,” she says.

            “Awe, thank you.”

            I touch her hair, her cheeks, and then take her hand in mine. Our flesh, sharing DNA, finally hand in hand. Time melts, and the hopes for a new beginning anchor in my heart. A new start.

            “I’m so happy to finally meet you. I want to hear everything about you. What you like to do. What’s your favorite food, favorite toy, favorite TV show.”

            “My favorite food is Mac and Cheese.”

            “Really? Mine too.”

            “My favorite show is Unicorn Academy, and I like mermaids,” she says.

            “Mermaids? I used to pretend I was a mermaid.”

            “Shelley, why don’t you go with Cinder over to the couch and get to know each other,” her mother says.

            “Thank you,” I say, and take Shelley’s hand. I look at Ash, knowing I don’t deserve him and mouth the words, ‘I love you.’ His eyes light up, and his smile warms my universe.

            I take Shelley over to the couch, and we have a seat. All I can do is look at her with stars in my eyes. I want her to know that I never forgot her. That I’ve drawn pictures of her through the years.

            “Cinder, Mrs. Bauer and I are going to give you some time to talk,” he says, and they both leave the penthouse.

            Everything is perfect.

            Too perfect.

***

Saving Ash© 2024 Gina A. Jones rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.