Shadows Beneath the Surface

Shadows Beneath the Surface
Lily’s POV

There was something familiar about him. He was Michelle’s older brother. Yes, I was sure of it. Michelle, the queen bee of our high school who used to bully me. Had their family moved here? Or maybe he’d just gotten a job in the city. But it was unlikely Professor Daniel remembered me.

What I did remember was the day the principal called in my mother and Michelle’s parents. Her parents couldn’t make it because they were out of town, so her brother came instead. Michelle and I had gotten into a fight. She stole my poetry assignment and tore it up. I snapped. I tore hers too. Then she hit me and pulled my hair. I wasn’t exactly brave back then, but I couldn’t just let her do that. I fought back. It all ended in chaos and eventually a meeting between both families.

Daniel apologized to me and my mom that day. He had always seemed so different from Michelle. Calm, mature, nothing like her. And now, fate had brought us back together as student and professor.

I didn’t expect him to actually glance our way, but he did. He frowned slightly, as if trying to place me. I simply gave him a small nod, unsure if he’d recognize me.

He started walking toward us, and Molly and Cassey immediately turned restless.

“Oh my God, he’s coming over. Do you think he heard us talking about him?” Molly whispered nervously.

“I doubt it,” I answered flatly.

“Excuse me,” Daniel said as he stopped in front of us. “I feel like I know you from somewhere.”

Molly, Cassey, and Robby looked at me, waiting.

“You’re Michelle’s brother, right? I was her classmate in high school,” I said quietly.

“Ah, yes. Now I remember. I got called to your school once because of a fight between you and Michelle.”

I offered a faint smile. That memory was one of the darker ones from high school, but I didn’t want to dwell on it anymore. That was a lifetime ago.

“That’s right,” I replied briefly.

“And you’re Lily Parker, Ashton Reagan Williams’ wife,” Daniel added with a knowing smile.

So he knew Ashton. It wasn’t surprising, Ashton was well-known, but something about Daniel’s tone made me think they’d met personally.

I nodded and smiled in return.

“Maybe we’ll catch up sometime. It was nice seeing you, Lily.” With a polite smile, Daniel turned and walked away.

“Wait, you two actually know each other?” Robby asked, eyes wide.

“Yeah, he’s Michelle’s brother, my old classmate.”

“He’s seriously hot. And good news, he’s still single,” Cassey grinned meaningfully.

If I were single like them, maybe I would’ve thought the same. But I wasn’t. I was married, and that alone kept my heart from wandering. Only Ashton could captivate me like that. Always him.



Ashton came home earlier than usual today. He even read Max a story before bed. I was so grateful that Max seemed happier about going to school lately and no longer had to deal with bullies.

Later that night, Ashton and I curled up in our room to watch a movie, one of our favorite ways to wind down. I lay beside him, my head resting against his firm chest, listening to the calm rhythm of his heartbeat. His hand moved gently through my hair.

When the movie ended, we looked into each other’s eyes, still filled with the same love we’d always had. Steady, unwavering.

“Love, there’s something I want to tell you. About the investigation into my father’s accident,” Ashton began.

I turned to him, curious. “What did they find?”

“It’s now certain that the crash that killed my father and brother wasn’t an accident. It was planned by people who wanted them dead.” Ashton sighed heavily. I waited, not wanting to interrupt.

“Before the crash, my father’s car was being followed. The car belonged to someone from Taylor’s company. But the actual collision came from a truck that sped in from the opposite direction.”

I listened intently.

“The truck driver died. But Evelyn and her team discovered a transaction in his bank account. Fifty thousand dollars.”

Ashton’s voice was calm, but resolute. His eyes searched mine.

“The money came from a charity foundation. Evelyn pulled their Form 990. And the people listed as trustees are names I know.”

He exhaled deeply and looked at me, a storm behind his gaze.

“Three of them. Charles Rutherford, our family lawyer for over fifteen years. Miranda Cho, head of finance at one of our subsidiaries, reporting directly to my mother. And Noah Greene, David Taylor’s personal assistant.”

I was stunned. My lips parted, but no words came. These were the people behind the tragedy?

“I’ve filed for a reinvestigation. The evidence is too strong to ignore.”

Ashton’s expression hardened.

“And likely, in addition to those three, others will be questioned. Including your father and my mother.”

He reached for my hand and held it tight.

“I don’t know who the real mastermind is. But I need you to understand. Justice has to take its course. Even if that means questioning your father. Even if it means my mother has to be held accountable.”

His eyes darkened with sadness.

I understood. This was the truth we needed to face, no matter how painful. Whatever the outcome, I had to be ready.

“I understand, Ashton. What matters most is that the real culprit is brought to light.” I smiled gently and stroked his cheek.

“Thank you, Lily.” Ashton pressed a kiss to my forehead. We embraced, holding on to each other, silently promising we’d get through this together.

“What now?” Ashton blinked playfully.

“Well, what do you want?” I smiled, gazing deeper into his eyes.

“Two people. In the same room, in love. Lying next to each other like this. Don’t you feel it, Lily?”

“Feel what, Ashton?”

He let out a soft chuckle, then pressed his body closer to mine. His eyes were saying something else entirely. Slowly, he guided my hand down toward something beneath the sheets...

“Well, someone’s awake,” I teased, my tone just a little flirtatious.

Ashton laughed again and pulled me into his arms. He kissed me over and over, and just like that, the night stretched out before us, warmer and more intoxicating than ever.