I couldn’t focus on anything else and became more despondent. During this time, Shelly grew closer to Ashley, and Patrick obeyed her every word.
I had no idea just how twisted Shelly really was until I found out what she'd done-- She drugged Ashley, slept with him, and then forced him to take responsibility for her.
But it was too late for me to do anything. She pushed me from a high place, claiming to others that I had taken my own life out of despair.
Her acting skills deceived everyone, and she replaced me as the lady of the house.
I snapped out of my memories and calmly refused her, "I can’t help you."
Seeing my refusal, she gave me a strange look and quickly turned to Ashley, begging, "You watched me grow up. You can’t just leave me to die..."
As she continued to argue, I interrupted, cutting off Ashley’s opportunity to respond. "Our families are pretty close. If your dad finds out I took you, he’ll cause trouble for my parents. We can’t afford that."
Ashley, always kind-hearted, would have helped Shelly if he didn’t understand the consequences.
I hurriedly pushed Ashley into the car, and we left quickly.
As we drove away, I glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Shelly still kneeling there, her fists clenched, staring at us with a look that could kill. A cold sweat broke out on my back, and I quickly looked away.
Back at home, I couldn’t shake her last look from my mind. I had this nagging feeling she wouldn’t just let this go. Sure, I managed to refuse her this time, but what about the next time? As long as we kept visiting, we were bound to run into her again.
I talked it over with Ashley and suggested his parents, Robert and Diane, move to the city for a few months. It would be more convenient for me during my pregnancy, and the house across the street was already prepared for them.
Within a few days, Robert and Diane moved in, and I finally felt a bit more at ease.
Shelly’s wedding was less than a month away. Once she was married, she’d have no reason to bother us anymore. I counted the days, not daring to relax until her wedding day passed.
I thought the nightmare from my previous life was finally over. Feeling relieved, I convinced Ashley to spend a few days at a friend’s place for a little getaway.
But things didn’t go as planned.