When He Knew I Was Dead, He Cried All Night！

I'd dreamed of sharing a bed with Ashton countless times, but never like this.

He turned away, keeping his distance as if I were toxic waste.

Sleep eluded me all night.

Come morning, brushing my teeth triggered a violent wave of nausea. I retched until bile burned my throat.

My time was running out.

Sitting across from Ashton at breakfast for the first time in years, I couldn't stomach a bite.

He noticed, cleaning up quickly to leave.

"Hold up," I called. "Drive me to work."

Ashton sneered. "Didn't realize my chauffeur duties came with the bed-warming package, Ms. Murphy."

I cut to the chase. "You driving or not?"

"Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you."

Ashton had raced cars abroad for a few years. I'd always regretted not being there to see him in his element.

Today, I got a taste.

The moment I buckled up, we shot off like a rocket. My heart leaped into my throat, barely stifling a scream.

Fifteen minutes later, I stumbled out, faking composure before bolting for the nearest trash can. With nothing in my stomach, only acid came up.

Suddenly, a hand pressed hard on my abdomen.

Pain seared through me, draining the color from my face.

"Lyla, are you okay?" The fake concern in that voice made my skin crawl.

"Get lost! Don't touch me," I spat, mustering what little strength I had to push the person away.

She dramatically fell to the ground, hamming it up as usual.

I rolled my eyes, thinking, Here we go again.

Ashton, witnessing this from afar, slammed the car door and strode over.

After helping Evelyn Murphy up, he glared at me. "Lyla! Don't push it."

Evelyn's voice dripped with honey. "Ashton, don't blame her. It was an accident..."

"Cut the act, Evelyn. I've seen enough of your performances over the years."

"Lyla, I don't know what you mean." Evelyn's expression was the picture of wounded innocence. If I didn't know better, I might've bought it.

But there was always one sucker who fell for it.

"Enough, Lyla!" Ashton barked. "After all these years, you're still so vicious."

Me, vicious? I laughed until my stomach ached again.

Wiping away involuntary tears, I mocked him. "Ashton, you're blinder than a bat in broad daylight."

Ashton's eyes narrowed. "You're impossible," he muttered, leading Evelyn away.

She glanced back, flashing me a triumphant smirk.

Since childhood, Evelyn had always snatched away everything I loved. Even Ashton.

Watching them walk off arm in arm, I marveled at my own masochism. On death's doorstep, and here I was, still chasing the bitter dregs of love.

But damn it, I can't let it go! Ashton has promised to marry me. How can he forget? How can he gang up with Evelyn against me?

So even if it killed me, I'd make sure to royally piss them off one last time.

If there was anything left in this world I cared about besides Ashton, it was this company. Mom's legacy. Before I checked out, I had to make sure it was in good hands.

It must be my unlucky day. The whole Murphy clan decided to show up.

After asking my secretary to grab me some oatmeal, I opened my office door to find Leon Murphy lounging on the sofa. Looked like he'd been waiting a while.

Leon fidgeted, rubbing his hands—a gambler's tell before rolling the dice.

"Lyla, sweetie, about this month's allowance..." he began.

I cut him off. "Didn't I just give you five million last week?"

Leon had the gall to look sheepish. "Five... five million doesn't stretch far these days!"

I'd long given up on this excuse for a father. "No money. Get out," I snapped, done wasting my breath.

Leon was furious. The company was his and his ex-wife's creation. It had achieved what it had because of his contributions, too. Now, just asking for a little money, and he had to beg his daughter for it.

Fuming with frustration, Leon hurled a barrage of curses at me. I barely flinched, calling for security as if it were routine.

As I slumped into my chair, a wave of weariness washed over me. Thank God this hellish day would soon be over.