Game of Love and Deception: The Billionaire's Ex Wife
Chapter 74: I killed them

Chapter 74: I killed them

Ashley stood in front of the mirror hanging above the dresser, the soft glow of the room’s light casting a warm hue over her as she worked through her hair, preparing for bed.

The door cracked open, and she turned just in time to see her mother poking her head inside, a small smile on her face.

"Mom," she called, continuing her task with her hair.

Monica, almost a perfect mirror image of Ashley, except for the redhead, stepped inside, walking behindher daughter.

"Let me help you with this, darling," she offered, taking over Ashley’s hair. "It’s growing so long... much longer than mine was at your age," she added with a smile.

Ashley mirrored the expression, watching her mother expertly roll her hair into a bun. She knew the woman hadn’t just come in to praise her hair—there was something else on her mind.

"What’s bothering you, mom?" she asked, her tone gentle.

Monica’s hand left her hair and rested on Ashley’s shoulder before she spoke.

"Are you sure you’re okay with us not being there for your last ballet performance?" she asked softly.

Ashley turned to face her.

"Mom, I know you feel bad about missing it, but it’s just another event. You and Dad have been looking forward to this vacation for so long. You shouldn’t cancel it for me," she said. They deserved it considering how hard they work just to give her a good life.

Monica’s expression softened. "Are you really sure?"

Ashley nodded. "I’llhave my friends record it, so you and Dad can watch it when you get back, okay?"

A smile brightened Monica’s face. She pulled Ashley into a warm hug.

"You’re such a sweet girl. I’m so lucky to have you," she whispered, planting playful kisses on her cheeks. Ashley giggled before pulling away.

"You should get some sleep, Mom. You’ve got a long flight ahead of you. And remind Dad he still hasn’t kissed me goodnight."

Monica laughed and cupped her daughter’s shoulders, pressing a soft kiss to her hair.

"I will. Goodnight, darling."

As she reached the door, she hesitated for a moment, casting one last glance into the room before quietly closing it behind her.

Ashley’s smile faded.

A strange confusion settled over her.

The scene before her had shifted abruptly, and she suddenly found herself outside, watching her parents’ plane ascend into the sky. But something felt wrong.

Monica’s bright smile had now twisted into something unrecognizable, contorting with agony as the world around them began to spin wildly.

"Mom..." Ashleymoaned, the words escaping her lips in a distressedmurmur.

"Ashley!" Lorenzo’s voice cut through the darkness, and he rushed from the couch to her side.

Ashley was writhing in her sleep, shaking her head violently.

"Mom!" she cried again, her voice thick with panic.

The air was filled with deafening screams—horrific, bone-chilling, as the plane spiraled downward.

Lorenzo pulled her into his arms, holding her firmly. "It’s just a dream, sunshine. Wake up."

Ashley’s eyes remained shut, her body trembling with the terror of the nightmare, until the image of the plane exploding with her parents inside flashed before her.

"Mom! Dad! No!" she screamed, the anguished cries of the other passengers echoing in her mind.

Her mother’s distorted voice rang in her head, "It’s all your fault! You caused this!"

She gasped awake, her heart pounding, body covered in sweat. She struggled against the strong hold around her, frantic to escape.

"Please let me go. I’m sorry, I’m sorry," she sobbed, desperately trying to break free.

"Hey, it’s me, sunshine. You’re safe," came a calming voice, gentle and completely different from her mother’s angry one.

Gradually, she began to relax, the sound of that steady, soothing voice stabilizing her. She realized she was no longer trapped in the nightmare.

"It was just a dream. You’re safe now," the voice whispered, hands tenderly cupping her face.

Her breath started to slow, and she buried her face in the warmth of a chest, feeling the reassuring stroke of the person’s hand through her hair.

"Thank you," she murmured, too exhausted to think who they belonged to, and drifted back to sleep.

Lorenzo adjusted himself, settling into a comfortable position as he held her securely in his arms.

He couldn’t leave her alone again.

*******

At Daybreak.

Ashley stirred, her body brushing against something firm... and warm. The sweet scent of wet earth and spice filled the air. She stretched instinctively, snuggling closer to the source, hoping to return to the pleasant dream that had replaced her nightmare.

She and Lorenzo had been playing in the woods, rolling together on dried grasses.

But then, it hit her.

It wasn’t a dream. And it certainly wasn’t happening now, either.

It was a memory—one from eight years ago.

She blinked, her eyes snapping open, and a frown settled on her face as she took in the unfamiliar ceiling above her.

Disoriented, she scanned the room, her gaze resting on vibrant paintings and modern arts adorning the walls—so different from the clean, white, peach-toned space she was used to. And yet, so beautiful.

Then her eyes dropped, and her heart beat several times in her chest.

A bare chest.

Her gaze slowly traveled upwards, until it landed on Lorenzo’s unreadable expression. A flicker of amusement danced in his amber eyes.

Her mind spun into chaos.

What the hell was she doing here—in bed with him?

Her breath caught in her throat, and a cold sweat broke out across her skin.

Then his gaze lowered, and hers followed.

Her hand was... resting on his...

No. No way.

And judging by how hard he was... her brain didn’t even want to finish the thought.

A vivid image flashed in her mind—one she really didn’t want to think about.

She could feel her cheeks burning.

"Ahhh!" she screamed, bolting upright, her heart racing.

Lorenzo’s laughed out loud, clearly amused by her reaction.

"Good morning, sunshine," he murmured amidst his laugh.

Ashley glared, struggling to collect her thoughts. "What’s going on? Where am I? How did I get here?"

"You’re at my place," Lorenzo replied casually, sitting up. "Why are you acting like you’re just realizing that? You woke up during the night."

Ashley frowned. She did?

Her gaze drifted to Lorenzo’s exposed chest, eyes snagging on the large phoenix tattoo that spanned from his left arm to his breast. Her hand moved on its own, wanting to feel the ink, wondering what it symbolized—but then she quickly snatched it back.

Lorenzo’s shoulders fell, disappointment flickering across his face.

Ashley peeked beneath the duvet and exhaled in relief when she saw her gown still on.

Memories of the previous night began to trickle in.

"How did I...?" she started, her voice laced with embarrassment.

"You were pretty drunk," Lorenzo said, smirking. "You begged me not to take you home. So..."

She finished the thought herself, cringing inwardly.

"And... my hand?" she asked hesitantly.

Lorenzo shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I think it found its way there on its own."

God. She wanted to die from embarrassment.

"You should’ve used the couch," she snapped.

Lorenzo’s brow furrowed. "Didn’t think it was wrong to share a bed. We’re kind of a thing, remember?" He gave her a playful wink.

"In public," Ashley shot back, narrowing her eyes.

Lorenzo felt a dull ache in his chest but shrugged it off, his tone remaining light. "A thing is a thing. Besides, I was on the couch until you had a nightmare. That’s when I came to join you in bed. I could’ve ignored you, but I didn’t. A thank you wouldn’t kill you."

Ashley’s gaze softened, feeling a pang of guilt.

"You noticed?"

Lorenzo nodded, voice gentle again, hand gently brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I held you while you fell back to sleep. Of course I noticed."

Ashley’s heart skipped a beat as she realized the soothing voice she’d heard in her dream had been his. And she’d fallen back to sleep without the help of her pills. That had never happened before. Could it be his presence?

"Thank you," she whispered.

"There you go," Lorenzo smiled. "Wasn’t so hard, was it?"

She rolled her eyes, but the moment of teasing soon passed. Silence fell between them as Lorenzo’s expression turned serious.

"You were dreaming about your parents, right?" he asked, his tone careful. He still recalled it has always been a sensitive topic for her.

Ashley froze.

"How did you...?"

"You talk in your sleep," he stated. "You kept saying ’mom’."

Ashley lowered her gaze, her lips caught between her teeth.

"It’s all my fault," she whispered, her voice thick with guilt. "I killed them."