Heard everything
Marco
I couldn't hide my excitement at the thought of seeing my sweetheart again. So when she invited us over for dinner, I agreed without hesitation. Not once did it cross my mind that my wife might wonder why I was so eager. After all, I knew she'd say yes, just like she always did.
As we drove, my mind wandered—no, lingered—on her. Since the day she left the mansion, we had been meeting in secret. Sometimes at a café, sometimes in the dark corners of the city where no one would recognize us. And each time, I told Ashlyn the same excuse: "I have a meeting." It worked at first, but now? I couldn't keep using that. She was starting to notice.
I didn't want her to move out. God, I hated the idea of her being farther from me. But she insisted it was her decision. I had no choice but to respect it.
The moment I parked the car, I rushed to her unit like a man starved of air. I hadn't even taken a breath before Ashlyn greeted me with a wide smile, excitement twinkling in her eyes as she led me toward the dining area.
"Marco! You won't believe it," she said dramatically. "Ashley has a new dinner guest, some guy named Sandro. They seem pretty familiar."
My stomach tightened.
As we stepped into the dining room, my eyes immediately found her—Ashley—seated at the table, her face turned toward a man sitting beside her. That man. Sandro. Who the hell was he?
Ashlyn, ever the inquisitive one, wasted no time. "Sis, have you known Sandro for long?" she asked, already spooning food into her mouth while waiting for Ashley's response.
"He says we do, but I don't really remember," Ashley replied softly, not meeting my gaze.
"We've known each other a long time," the man suddenly chimed in, completely uninvited. "I was honestly worried when she stopped coming back here. Thought maybe she was upset with me."
I bit the inside of my cheek. Who asked you to speak?
Before I could say anything, Ashlyn turned to me with a playful grin. "Marco, try this pasta, it's amazing." She offered a forkful toward my mouth, and I accepted it silently, trying to keep a straight face. But when she wiped the corner of my lips with her finger, I recoiled slightly.
"I can do it myself," I muttered, leaning back.
"Oh, come on, don't be shy. We're married. Besides, Ashley's basically family now," she said with a wink. "I'm sure Sandro and Ash are sweet with each other too. Right, Sandro?"
"Uh… not really," he said with an awkward laugh, scratching the back of his head. "Ashley still doesn't remember much. But I'm trying to help her."
I wanted to slam his smug face into the plate.
My eyes went to Ashley. She was looking down, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the edge of the napkin. Say something. Deny it. Say it's not what it looks like.
"Is that true, Ash?" I asked, my tone firmer now, eyes locked on her face. "You don't remember him?"
"Ah, well—"
"She's just shy," Sandro interrupted again, clearly too comfortable. "Ashley's always had trouble expressing herself."
My jaw tightened. That's enough, Sandro.
"Let them be, Marco," Ashlyn said, chuckling. "You were the same when we were starting out. Remember how awkward you were with me?"
I looked at her, and surprisingly, so did Ashley.
"You remember our past now?" I asked.
"Not everything," she admitted. "But like I told my sister, some memories are starting to come back."
"You lost your memory too?" Sandro blurted out, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"Yes. We were together in the accident. Didn't Ashley tell you?" Ashlyn replied.
"She didn't. She's been... quiet. She used to be so chatty, always pointing out every little thing. But I guess when you go through something that nearly kills you… it changes you."
"I think Ashlyn hasn't changed; she's still very kind and caring.." Ashley replied, smiling, not leaving her twin's gaze.
"Oh, it's a small thing, nothing to brag about..." Ashlyn teased, and the two of them shared a smile. They all laughed, but I couldn't join in. Not fully. Not when that man was sitting across from me, acting like he knew her—my Ashley—better than I did.
I said nothing more. I just kept watching her. Every stolen glance. Every silent breath.
I'd talk to her soon, alone. I had too many questions. And I needed answers about Sandro.
The rest of the dinner went on without incident. But beneath the surface, I was simmering. And Ashley? She wouldn't even look me in the eye.
We never got the chance to be alone — Ashley and I. And so, I went home without learning anything about that man.
While I was driving, Ashlyn wouldn't stop talking about the two of them.
“You know what, Marco? I think they actually look good together,” she said, grinning.
“I don’t see that at all,” I muttered, jaw tight. My grip on the steering wheel tightened unconsciously. I had no idea when Sandro was planning to leave.
“Oh, come on. Sandro’s sweet. I really hope they end up together,” Ashlyn added, clearly swooning. Her giddy tone only made my blood boil, though I had to keep myself composed, or she’d notice something.
But one thing was clear now — I needed to stop suspecting that Lance guy. The real issue was Sandro. He was the one with Ashley right now.
When we arrived home, I immediately headed to my study room. But just as I reached for the door, Ashlyn stopped me.
“Aren’t you going to freshen up first?” she asked sweetly.
“Later. I need to review a report I’m supposed to present to the marketing team tomorrow,” I replied.
“You could’ve told me. We didn’t need to visit my twin if you had work to do.”
“I didn’t want her thinking you were keeping me from her.” I had to come up with some excuse. The truth was, I just missed Ashley — painfully, desperately.
“Alright. It’s up to you. But come to bed soon, okay?” she said in a soft, coaxing voice.
“Of course. You go rest first,” I said, gently brushing her off so I could finally call Ashley. The truth was, there wasn’t a single document I needed to review. I turned toward the study room door again, but she stopped me once more.
“Wait,” she said, leaning in to give me a kiss. I kissed her back — just like I always did — but this time, I was the one who pulled away.
“You should get some sleep. You need your strength… for the baby,” I said, touching her belly lightly.
She smiled, nodded, then gave me a soft kiss before heading to our bedroom.
I watched her leave, waited until she closed the door, then entered the study. I sat down and pulled my phone from my pocket, texting Ashley right away.
Marco: Is that guy still there?
I waited, growing impatient with every second that passed until her reply finally came.
Ashley: He just left.
Marco: That’s it? No explanation?
Ashley: What do you want me to explain? I didn’t do anything.
I exhaled loudly, frustrated. Was I really just imagining things? Maybe she didn’t like the guy… but I knew — I knew — he liked her.
Marco: So, what’s your plan with Sandro?
Ashley: He’s not doing anything wrong. What do you want me to do? Be rude to someone who’s being kind to me?
Marco: He won’t stop hanging around unless you let him know you’re already taken.
Ashley: Why are you getting mad? And what should I tell him? That you’ve taken me? Should I make up a boyfriend just to keep him away?
Damn it. That stung. The thought of her pretending to belong to another man — even for a lie — tore something inside me.
Marco: Fine. Are you free for a video call? I want to see you… and talk to you.
It hurt — knowing I still couldn’t claim her publicly. But one day, we’d be free to love each other openly. When that day comes, I’ll make up for all of this.
My phone rang. Ashley. I smiled and answered, quickly connecting my AirPods. I couldn’t risk Ashlyn walking in and hearing her voice.
“Hi, sweetheart,” I said softly. “I wanted so badly to call you that earlier.”
“It’s okay. It’s better this way. We don’t want Ashlyn suspecting anything,” she said with a sad smile.
We talked like that — quietly, intimately — even as she moved to the bathroom to take a shower. She brought her phone with her, and I watched her, every movement, every glance, filling something in me I didn’t know I needed.
Then I asked, voice low, “Can you touch yourself, sweetheart?”
She gave me a soft smile… and nodded.
As I watched her, my hand moved down, too, unable to resist the aching need I had kept buried all day.
But just as the tension built, the door suddenly opened — Ashlyn, smiling as she stepped in.
I panicked. In one swift move, I flipped my phone face down on the table to hide the video call.
“You took so long,” she said, walking closer.
I couldn’t hide it — my arousal was painfully obvious.
“Marco!” she gasped. Then, her lips curved into a teasing grin. “You didn’t need to do it yourself. You could’ve just called me.”
“I thought you might be tired—” I tried to explain, but she didn’t wait. She spun my chair to face her, then dropped to her knees in front of me.
I tried to stop her — but I couldn’t.
My mind raced. My body betrayed me. And somewhere — behind the muted phone — I knew Ashley was still there, hearing everything.
Ashlyn climbed onto my lap, moving slowly and deliberately. She was pregnant, so there was no need to pull out. I felt the release hit me — intense, confusing, overwhelming.
“That was intense, Marco,” Ashlyn whispered against my neck, smiling.
But all I felt… was guilt.
Because Ashley had heard everything.
And I couldn’t undo it.