Fractured Bonds

Fractured Bonds
Ashton’s POV

I sat across from my mother, a thick pane of glass separating us. Her face looked paler than I remembered. No more make-up to soften the fine lines of her skin. No elegant clothes draped over her frame. The aura of authority and luxury that had always defined her was gone.

It took courage to face her. I felt as if I were standing at a crossroads. Anger and disappointment burned inside me, yet she was still my mother, the woman who gave me life. All I wanted was to know why she could do this to her husband and her son.

“Why did you do it?” I couldn’t even bring myself to look at her.

“Ashton, I did this for you.”

Her answer made me ask again. For me? How could she twist it that way, as if betrayal could ever be for my sake.

“Before your father married me, he had a child with another woman, Liam. He even planned to give the company to Liam. I couldn’t accept it. I wanted you to be the heir.”

My brows furrowed. Shock hit me like a slap. Liam was my father’s son with another woman? And he was supposed to inherit the company, not me.

“Your father never loved me, Ashton. He never let go of Liam’s mother. He was cold to me, but warmer with other women he used to escape. Do you know how painful it was to be me…” My mother began to cry. Her sobs grew sharper, cutting through the space between us.

I was still trying to process it. Whatever the reason, nothing could justify what she had done. My father had never neglected me. He had the right to name Liam his heir—I would not have stood in the way. But how could my mother let greed consume her so completely? Her ambition had devoured her sanity.

“Mother, no matter your reasons, what you did is unforgivable. A mistake so grave it destroyed you, and it destroyed me. It shattered Kelly, too. Did you ever think of us before you went this far?” I looked at her with a piercing gaze. Disappointment, anger, heartbreak—all of it swelled inside me at once.

“You didn’t do this for me. You did it for your own ambition. And I am certain, you and Charles shared more than just schemes. You betrayed Father.”

My mother sobbed harder. She met my eyes through tears that wouldn’t stop falling. “Charles accepted me as I am. He loved me. He filled the emptiness your father never could. Is it wrong that I fell in love with him, when your father gave me no love at all? He only sought ways to make me suffer, to make me feel worthless.” Her cries grew tighter, strangled.

It was hard to summon any sympathy. Yes, she was the woman who raised me with affection. But she was also the one who had destroyed me. How could I ever reconcile the two?

“Even now you defend yourself. As if killing Father and Liam could ever be justified. I cannot accept it, Mother. I will not accept it.” My voice broke, but I forced the words out.

“Ashton, please, forgive me. I’m sorry. I love you, I love Kelly.” Tears streamed relentlessly from her eyes.

I chose to leave. I could not stand to be broken all over again by her words. I still respected her as my mother, the woman who gave me life. But forgiveness—no, forgiveness would not come so easily.



That night, I had dinner at home with Lily. Max had eaten earlier, and now he was happily sketching in the living room with Kelly. I had asked Kelly to stay with us. I knew she was broken too. She had withdrawn into silence since Mother was put behind bars.

She was even afraid to go outside, no longer spending time with friends. Kelly feared being bullied because of our mother’s crimes. I could understand. It must have been unbearable for her. It was unbearable for me, too. Our family was no longer whole. Since Father and Liam’s deaths, the warmth of home had begun to fade. And after Mother was proven guilty of killing them, whatever warmth was left had vanished completely.

It felt as if the world had stopped turning. But I was grateful for Lily, who kept me moving forward. She reminded me that life had to go on, no matter what. She took me on walks in the park, out to dinners at our favorite restaurant, to the movies, or on little trips to ease my mind. She fought tirelessly to restore the world I thought I had lost.

“Ashton, I know this is heavy. But you must keep facing the world. You still have me, and I will never leave you.” Lily held my hand, her eyes flicking toward my plate I hadn’t touched.

“You’ve been eating so little these past days. For your health, for me, please try to eat more.” She smiled gently, her voice soft and tender, her eyes glowing with sincerity.

I didn’t know what my life would be without her. Lily was the most precious gift God had given me. I knew she would never abandon me.

“I don’t have much appetite. But for you, I’ll finish it.” I smiled, returning her gaze with every ounce of love I had.

Her smile widened as I began to eat with more intent.

“Oh, by the way, tomorrow I’ve been invited to a jewelry exhibition. They’ll be showcasing all kinds of diamonds. Will you come with me?”

“I don’t have class tomorrow. Of course I’ll come.”

“Lily, I’ve also been thinking of naming Max as the heir to the company. Would you mind? It’s in line with my father’s original wish, which was to pass it on to Liam. When Max grows up, he can lead. And we will build our own company, free from the shadow of my parents.”

Lily squeezed my hand tightly, smiling. “That’s your decision, Ashton. I won’t interfere. I trust you. Max deserves it, and I believe it’s the right choice. I know we can build something from the ground up together.”

“Even if I can’t give you the wealth I once had, will that be enough?”

Lily smiled again. “Ashton, you know I never cared about your money. From the moment I came here, none of that mattered. I believe you’ll provide for our family, even if we let go of your father’s fortune.”

That was what I loved most about her. Lily was unlike anyone else.

“Then I’ll fight to make you happy. You just have to trust me.”

“I do trust you, Ashton.”

She looked deeper into my eyes, her voice trembling slightly. “I only want one thing from you. Don’t ever give up on your life. Don’t let these wounds stop you from moving forward.”

I drew in a long breath. Her words were simple, but they felt like a soothing embrace. Part of me was still broken, but another part wanted to believe I could begin again.

I lowered my gaze to our fingers, still intertwined. “I promise, Lily. I’ll keep walking. For you, for Max, for Kelly.”

Her faint smile appeared, fragile yet strong enough to give me a reason to hold on.

When dinner was over, I helped her clear the table. Kelly appeared in the doorway, watching us quietly. There was fear in her eyes, but also a longing for the warmth we once had.

“Kelly, come here…” I called softly.

She hesitated, then stepped closer. When I ruffled her hair, I felt her small body tremble. “I know you’re still afraid. But believe me, I’m here. I won’t let anyone hurt you again.”

She nodded slightly, without saying a word. And for tonight, that was enough.



Later that night, I stood on the balcony, gazing at the star-filled sky. The door creaked softly. Lily stepped out, carrying two cups of tea. She handed one to me, then leaned against my side.

“Ashton,” she whispered, “I know part of you still wants to hate your mother. And that’s natural. But one day, maybe you’ll find a way to make peace. Not for her, but for yourself.”

I stared at the steam rising from the cup in my hand. Her words pierced deeper than I expected.

“I don’t know when that day will come,” I said at last. “But I want to believe these wounds won’t bind us forever.”

Lily didn’t answer. She simply rested her head against my shoulder. The silence between us was soothing, like an unspoken promise that the future could still be fought for.

For the first time in a long while, I dared to imagine tomorrow without fear.