I Bought Him And He Betrayed Me

When I found Ashton, he was a wrecka boy built on the fragile foundation of a fugitive father, a dead mother, a sister everyone seemed to want a piece of, and his own raw, shattered self.
Yet, he stood there, somehow, utterly untouchable, aloof as a young cypress in the snow.
I extended my hand. I lifted him out of the grime and into my world.
The small-time bullies who cornered him in the lavatory? Their fathers' businesses folded within the week.
Why are you doing all this for me? The high-altitude flower, his eyes stained crimson, knelt before me.
I simply smiled. Because I like you.
Ashton froze, his ears burning a fierce red.
It wasn't fast, but over time, he let me in. He brought me a bouquet of blue roses.
They say the Montgomery Heiress loves cultivating flowers, hed said, his voice quiet. A gift for you.
Then Skylar showed up. She was wearing my custom-fit, silk crepe dress from Kingsbury Atelier and the newest high-jewelry piece from my private vault.
I I dont belong in clothes like this, she murmured.
Ashton pulled her tight. Yes, you do. You belong with the best things this world has to offer.
My gaze drifted over their intertwined, branded selves. A slight smile pulled at the corner of my mouth. My little project. The precious hothouse bloom Id cultivated was now using my own resources to nurture his own.
1
The faint, rhythmic sound of the custom wheelchair wheels gliding across the stone patio jolted the intimate moment. Ash spun around. Our eyes methis frantic, mine placid.
He was beside me in two long strides, kneeling, taking my hands to transfer his warmth.
Its too breezy out here, Gigi. Why did you leave the sunroom?
I glanced past him to Skylar, who gripped the hem of her expensive, borrowed skirt, hands hanging stiffly at her sides. I looked back at him.
You promised me those fresh floral pastries. Couldn't find you, so I came to look.
A faint smile reached his eyes. He reached up, stroking my cheeka move I allowed, though it was always slightly too intimate, slightly out of bounds.
Already baked, love. See? I knew you were just being impatient.
Today was my birthday.
It wasnt a massive affair, but a small, exclusive gathering at the beach villa. The guest list included my circlethe people I actually liked. Ashton was one of the few whod been allowed to break the social barrier.
And Skylar? She was uninvited.
I watched the cloud of worry pass between them. Sure enough, Ash pulled Skylar forward.
This is the gift Skylar prepared for you, Gigi.
Skylar looked miserable. I hope you like it, Miss Montgomery.
I took the broochclearly something far beyond her meansand handed it casually to Mr. Alistair, my estate manager.
Ashtons brow furrowed sharply. Skylar's face lost all color.
Lets go in, I said to Ashton.
He pressed his lips into a tight line, then stepped forward and took the handles of my chair.
As we re-entered the living room, the fiery party atmosphere quieted for a beat. My inner circle of friends looked from me to the two people trailing me. Wed left as two; we returned as three.
Ashton settled my chair at the head of the lounge, then took Skylars hand and sat opposite me.
The atmosphere grew even stranger.
But the game continued.
I wasnt drinking, so I watched their rounds with lazy amusement. After several turns, the clearly-aimed pointer landed squarely on Skylar.
A scandalous truth, or a shot.
Ashton tried to interject, but Skylar blocked him.
She glanced at him, a sudden, challenging spark in her eye.
I hooked up with someone who is definitely not my childhood friend, two nights ago.
A mood killer.
But Ashton was genuinely furious.
Who was it?
None of your business! You're just my friend!
Just your friend?
He dragged her up, intending to forcibly remove her, leaving only the sharp, furious outline of his profile for me to see.
Miss Montgomery, I need to go discipline Skylar. I wont be able to stay for the rest of your birthday.
They enacted their childhood best friends in tormented love drama right there at my party, then left.
Before they vanished, Skylar shot a look over Ashtons shouldera flash of pure, defiant challenge aimed straight at me.
Finally, the party quieted.
While Kiera adjusted the pearl diadem on my head, she murmured, Something is deeply wrong with those two.
They are problematic. I didnt answer. My phone vibrated. A ping from the security server.
My deluxe penthouse suite at The Astor Towers, reserved only for me, had just been accessed. The in-suite camera feed clearly showed the two of them in a heated argument.
You were supposed to stay in the childhood friend lane forever, werent you? Why do you care who I sleep with?
Childhood friend? Ashtons eyes went dark. Who the hell wants to be your childhood friend?!
The image then dissolved into something far more frantic and primal.
I immediately called the hotel manager and had the closely entangled pair thrown out. My reason: that suite's security clearance was restricted only to Genevieve Montgomery.
Skylar, wrapped in a duvet, tried to challenge the hotel manager, asking if he knew who Ashton was.
Ashton, still the picture of the aloof, high-altitude flower, had arrogance hardening his gaze.
But the manager was immune. He held up his phone, official and unyielding.
No, Im afraid I don't. Would you like me to call Mr. Alistair, the Montgomery Estate Manager, to verify your access?
Ashtons pupils constricted. Involving Mr. Alistair meant involving me. What would I think of him then?
He quickly pressed his hand onto Skylars shoulder, forcing her into silence. He dressed silently in the bathroom and left.
For days, Ashton didnt show his face.
Mr. Alistair informed me he was busy processing Skylars college enrollment.
Skylar? I tilted my head, sunlight bathing my face.
Yes, Miss. Skylars birth name is actually Sheng. She and Ashton are not related; they were neighbors. The Davenports took her in when her family ran into trouble.
I said nothing.
That evening, Ashton came over to cook. I was immersed in piecing together a massive Lego set on the living room rug.
Suddenly, my body lifted. Ashton had scooped me up and set me gently at the dining table.
Your hands and feet are freezing, and youre not wrapped up. He sighed, covering me with a cashmere throw. You need to take care of yourself, Gigi.
I turned my head slightly, my tone casual. I heard you rented an apartment from Wyatt.
Wyatt is a friend who owns a couple of properties near Westwood University.
Ashton nodded, sitting beside me. His voice was warm and smooth. Skylar got accepted there, but the school dorms are dreadful. She cant sleep well in that environment. Renting her a place will help her focus on her studies.
I paused.
Just last year, Montgomery Corp donated a fortune to Westwood to fully upgrade their residential halls. Id seen the plans. The new suites were hundreds of times better than the dingy place Ash himself used to live in.
Not sleeping comfortably, or not conveniently located for their affair? I couldn't say.
A week passed.
I was in the conservatory admiring the orchids when I heard hurried footsteps behind me. The next second, my wheelchair was spun around with jarring force.
I flinched.
Ashtons face was inches from mine, his handsome features contorted with fury.
Why? Why are you targeting Skylar? What exactly has she done to deserve your casual cruelty?
I forced a calm I didn't feel. I have no idea what youre talking about.
Dont play dumb! Wyatt kicked her out of the apartment! If that wasnt your instruction, then what was it?
I narrowed my eyes.
Who the hell gave you the audacity to speak to me like that?
Ashtons lashes trembled. He straightened, his hands clenched at his sides, the anger still visible in the rigidity of his posture.
Skylar, standing behind him, tugged at his sleeve.
Let it go, Ash. We cant fight people from this level of society.
He looked at her, his heart clearly aching, and pulled her into a protective embrace.
I watched the touching scene, then curled my lip into a cold sneer.
Though I dont know what happened, Wyatt certainly does. Why don't we call him? You two can sit down and get your answers straight from him.
Absolutely, Ashton said, ready to fight. If hes been playing games, he owes Skylar an apology!
I started moving my chair out of the conservatory. Fine. Call him over.
Skylar, however, shuddered, the color draining from her face again. Oh God, what if this heiress actually makes us confront him? How could they confront him? Wyatt would tell the whole story about her trying to seduce him and the subsequent eviction.
Ash, maybe theres just a misunderstanding. Lets not create extra trouble. Skylar gripped his forearm tightly.
Dont worry. I stand with you, Skylar, he reassured her.
I watched Skylar squirm, letting the panic ripen before I finally spoke, unhurriedly.
He had to take an emergency business trip. He wont be coming.
Skylar covertly studied my expression, relieved to see my face was unreadable. Did she not tell Gigi about me trying to hook up with him? Skylar let out a deep breath.
But Ashton wasn't finished. He took her hand, his brow still furrowed in concern.
So Skylars humiliation just vanishes?
I finally met his eyes.
She just said it was a misunderstanding. What is it, Ash? Do you want me to apologize?
He tugged at the corner of his mouth, a gesture of deep resentment. Whatever Miss Montgomery says, goes.
He left without another word, arriving like a hurricane and departing filled with bitter, unspoken disappointment.
I sat in silence.
My phone, resting on my lap, lit up. It was a message from Wyatt.
Ashtons childhood friend tried to seduce me. I threw her out.
Understood. Let it drop for now. Ash looks pretty pissed off.
He was more than pissed off. He didnt contact me for days.
He seemed to have completely forgotten that I was the one who pulled him out of the fire, the one who elevated him across class lines.
Worse, he began using the privileges Id given him to show Skylar offtaking her to the very places Id introduced him to. He used my contacts to order her custom-tailored outfits from Kingsbury Atelier. He took her to The Ridge Retreat & Spa to use the high-end medicinal baths that only the Montgomery family could access. He celebrated her Westwood University acceptance at the most exclusive mountaintop restaurant.
One afternoon, I accompanied Kiera to the dog groomer.
She drove past the upscale pet spas and parked the car in front of a grungy, insignificant little shop.
The place is a dump, Gigi. Youre too frail to be in here. Wait in the car.
I was intrigued. I shook my head, insisting on getting out.
The shop was small, indeed, bordering on dilapidated. It was the first time I'd set foot in such a place. The owner recited the safety rules with a deadpan expression. Kiera nodded.
A moment later, howls echoed from the back room.
It was an odd understanding: the owner wouldn't be held responsible for "scaring" the dog, and Kiera wouldn't complain if the groomer got bitten.
I looked at Kiera, who was blowing on her freshly painted nails.
Youre not worried about him? I raised an eyebrow.
She snorted. I worried too much when I first took him in. I thought if I protected him, gave him the best of everything, hed be grateful.
Turns out hes just an ungrateful bastard. He wont let me near him during baths, he bites if I touch him. Massive attitude. He's forgotten who his owner is.
The dog in the glassed-in room was agitated, still trying desperately to bite. But a sharp thwack from the groomers paddle quickly forced him to retract his teeth and claws.
Kieras words hit me with sudden, sharp clarity.
Ashton was exactly the same.
Id rescued him, given him the best, introduced him to the world, and even brought him into the company to train. But like this dog, he was utterly untamable. He actually dared to use my resources to nurture his own favorite, and then had the gall to confront me over her.
I let out a soft, low laugh.
Kiera asked what was funny.
I looked up, a relaxed smile on my face. Nothing. I just realized I no longer feel like cultivating flowers.

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