Learn More Chapter 4 Ashley felt the blood drain from her entire body . Her limbs went numb , frozen in place like she had been nailed to the floor . She bit down so hard on her lip that blood flooded her mouth , the metallic taste the only thing keeping her silent . She quietly set down the dress in her hands and turned to leave . But the moment she reached the corner , her legs gave out . She doubled over , clutching her chest in agony as tears streamed uncontrollably down her face . So this was what it felt like - love carving you hollow from the inside out . All she wanted now was to get her father's watch and leave this place for good . Ashley wept for what felt like forever before she finally pulled herself together and went to the restroom to clean up . Then she called Ethan . She was going to get the heirloom back . " Liar ! You disgusting fraud ! " The moment Ashley stepped into the ballroom , a slap landed squarely across her face . She looked up- Lila Bennett's furious face stared back at her . " You tried to steal my husband ! Were you laughing at me at the clinic that day ? " Lila shouted . "I wasn't , " Ashley said through gritted teeth , her hand pressed to her burning cheek . " I didn't know anything until I saw him . Lila , whatever happened between us - it was a misunderstanding . " She thought her heart had gone numb . But just recalling her memories with Ethan still made it ache . " If I hadn't come to this city and uncovered everything myself , you two would've kept this secret forever . Still sneaking around behind my back ! " Lila's eyes flared red , like a child watching her favorite doll get stolen . Her face darkened , and her tone turned even colder . " You slept with my husband , and you still have the nerve to show up in front of me ? You're vile . You don't deserve to keep breathing ! " A chill crept up Ashley's spine . She instinctively stepped back , but before she could escape , Lila's people had already surrounded her . Chapter 4 20.00 % HABLAY ONECTATE R VIDEO EN DIRECTO Tango- Live Stream , Vide … ( 4.92m ) | Tango Learn More " Lila , what are you doing ? " Ashley's face went pale . " I've hated people touching what's mine since I was a kid . Especially my man , " Lila said arrogantly . " On your knees , Ashley . Right here , where everyone can see you . Slap yourself - hard - and say you're sorry . Then clean my shoes with that tongue until I can see my face in them . " She wasn't singling Ashley out - this was simply how she treated anyone who dared cross her . Ashley shook her head and dodged the hands reaching for her . " Lila , you can't just - this is unreasonable … " " She can . " Ethan Campbell strolled over at a leisurely pace , sliding his arm around Lila like it was the most natural thing in the world . " My baby can do whatever she wants . No one gets to tell her otherwise . " He gave a slight nod , and the bodyguards stepped in , forcing Ashley to her knees before Lila . Ashley struggled , looking up at Ethan's indifferent face from below . Her heart felt like it had been ripped wide open . " I did nothing wrong . I won't apologize . Ethan , I already agreed to walk away- " Smack . Lila slapped her again , cutting her off mid - sentence . " I want you to apologize , " she demanded smugly . Ashley turned her face to the side but still refused to speak . Lila , infuriated by Ashley's stubbornness and pretty face , slapped her again . Ethan stood by and watched coldly . Only after the third slap did he step in , grabbing Lila's wrist . " What ? You feel bad for her now ? " Lila pouted . " Your hand's all swollen . Doesn't it hurt? " Ethan said gently , blowing softly into her palm . " You don't need to deal with this yourself . If you still want to teach her a lesson , let the bodyguards handle it . " Lila's tears instantly turned into a smile . She snuggled into his arms . Chapter 4 t HABLAY CONECTATE POR VIDEO EN Tango - Live Stream , Vide … . ( 4.92m ) | Tango 20.00 % D Learn More " Then do it . Keep hitting her until she apologizes . " Ethan smirked slightly and gave the order . The bodyguard didn't hold back . Just two blows and blood was already spilling from Ashley's mouth . But still , she refused to give in . Lila stomped in frustration in Ethan's arms . Ethan narrowed his eyes and pulled out a worn leather wristwatch from his pocket . " Still not ready to apologize ? " he asked casually , toying with the watch between his fingers . Ashley's cheeks burned with pain , tears hitting the floor one after another . She spat out a mouthful of blood . " My dad's watch ! Ethan , give it back ! " Ethan stared at her but said nothing . Her biological father had died early . Her mother had abandoned her and moved abroad when she was just a child . She was raised by her adoptive father . The watch was a gift from his first love , something he had worn every day of his life . Three years ago , when he passed away , he left it to her . But to pay Ethan's hospital bills , she had sold it … When she finally had money again and returned to the pawnshop , the owner told her it had already been bought . It had haunted her ever since . " It's been with you all this time ? " Ashley's eyes reddened as she asked . Even speaking made her jaw throb with pain . Ethan didn't answer . But his silence said enough . The light in Ashley's eyes dimmed completely . The pain spread through her chest , crawling into her lungs- each breath a fresh wound . Her strength left her all at once . She collapsed to the floor , unable to even cry . " I'm sorry , Miss Bennett , " she choked out . Chapter 4 t HABLAY CONECTATE OR VIDEO EN DIRECTO Tango- Live Stream , Vide … ( 4.92m ) | Tango 20.00 % Learn More " I never should've saved Ethan two years ago . I never should've fallen in love with him . I never should've been with him . This is all my fault . I'm sorry … I'm truly sorry … " Ethan froze , the watch clenched in his hand . His chest suddenly felt tight , uncomfortable . He wanted to stop her . But before he could move , Lila snatched the watch from his grip . " Is that supposed to be an apology ? Or are you just bragging ? " Lila sneered . " You want this ugly thing back ? In your dreams ! " She flung the watch into a patch of potted cacti . " No ! " Ashley screamed . She shoved past them around her and plunged into the thorny plants , oblivious to the needles ripping her skin open . " Go help her look ! " Lila shouted to the crowd . " Whoever finds it first gets five hundred grand ! And when you do - smash it ! " People immediately surged forward . Ashley had just found the watch when someone shoved her hard from behind . She crashed straight into the cacti . Clutching the watch to her chest , she inspected it quickly , then held it tightly against her heart and let out a sigh of relief . " She's got it ! " A group of people lunged at her , tearing at her limbs , piling on top of her . The cactus needles plunged deep into her skin . Blood seeped hot and fast through her clothes . Ashley bit down on her lip , refusing to let go . But she couldn't withstand their frenzy . One man wrestled the watch from her hands and ran over to Lila , eager to please . He snapped the strap in half , slammed it to the floor , and crushed it under his heel - again and again - until the face was nothing but shards . Ashley's heart splintered into dust along with it . Chapter 4 t HABLA Y CONECTATE OR VIDEO EN Tango- Live Stream , Vide … ( 4.92m ) | Tango 20.00 % Learn More She truly regretted it now . Regretted ever falling in love with Ethan Campbell . Chapter 4