The Billion Dollar Girl

(Chapter 40)

CHAPTER 40

Ͼ Ella Castillo Ͽ

This familiar smell. Like…raspberry and orange blossoms. I breathed in and out, utterly at peace. My bed was soft against my aching muscles. I felt numb. Calm. Comfortable.

I heard a sound next to me. It was the soft sound of someone breathing. Sleeping, maybe. It was calm and slow, matching my heartbeat. I liked the sound. It made me safe. The warm fuzzy feeling clouded my mind, so much so that fatigue took over me and I felt sleepy. But then I heard a word.

“Ella…”

There was no way I wouldn’t recognize that voice. I would recognize it still even if all else was lost. It was Ash’s voice. He was pleading.

“I’m so sorry,” I heard his whisper. His voice was now very close to my ear. “I’m sorry you’re here because of me. This is all my fault.” He took a deep, shuddering breath. “You’re had an accident because you remembered something you saw.”

I frowned, trying to recall what he was talking about.

But I already knew. Some part of me would never forget, but that part had kept silent, not wanting to disturb this new-found peace.

“If only I’d told you the truth,” Ash sighed. “If only I’d told you before. Then this wouldn’t have happened.”

I was beginning to remember. And those memories brought unwelcome pain to my paradise.

“You remembered that you saw me with Lucy.”

And then it all came back to me. The sound of rain and hailstones against the roof. A long shadow, coming from the bed. Ash and Lucy, locked together in an embrace.

My eyes snapped open and I shoved Ash away from me.

“Shut up,” I cried. “I don’t want to hear it.”

I tried to slide off the bed, tried to get away, but even as I did, a hot flash of pain ran through my leg. I looked down and saw that it was in a cast. Then I remembered the snapping sound I’d heard when I’d fallen down the ice.

“Careful,” Ash said, rushing forward to steady me, but I waved him away before he could touch me. I forced myself off the bed, gritting my teeth against the pain. I leant against the walls to avoid putting weight on my injured leg. I tried to take a step, but it was unsteady.

“What are you doing?” he demanded, angrily.

“I’m leaving,” I snapped, taking another step towards the door. I didn’t recognize the room, but I guessed that we were in a hotel. A fireplace blazed in the corner, hot against my exposed skin. I looked down and realized I was wearing nothing but a t-shirt and a pair of shorts.

I tested my broken leg and it wobbled. I swore.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” he retorted, grabbing my arm. I tried to shake it off, but he held on tight. Even now, even after he’d done so much to hurt me, the feeling of his hand against my bare skin made my knees melt. “You can’t leave in this state. Ella, stop being stupid. Ella. Will you look at me!”

I turned to him, tears rolling down my cheeks. Ash stared at me, his ocean blue eyes unreadable. Suddenly, I felt pathetic.

“Don’t touch me,” I whispered, sobbing silently. “Don’t touch me, you…stupid…son of…”

“Ella…” Ash said, very gently. “What’s –?”

I glared up at him. “What’s wrong? Are you serious? Are you really going to ask me that?”