Ashton hasn’t said anything, but what is there to say? I’m right. I know I am.
It was most likely his father who had the idea to befriend me to ensure I wouldn’t cause a scandal that would paint the family in a bad light. It must have been his father… but Ashton would have gone along with it.
Did Fenella know? Gunnar? Did everyone know what Ashton was doing with me? They must have—it would have been the only reasonable excuse for why he was spending so much time with me.
What must the text messages among his friends have been like?
I take another step, and the skirt of the dress tangles around my ankles. Ashton steps forward to help, but I brush him off.
I can’t have him touch me. Not now, not ever. “I think I might go back to the castle by myself,” I manage to say.
I will not cry. I will not let him see that I’m upset. I will not…
“You know, I don’t think you even hit me with the car,” I tell him. A glance over my shoulder shows Ashton, blue eyes full of confusion… and what might be remorse, if he could feel such a thing. “I would have been bruised or… I think I broke things when I fell and you… you did nothing wrong. All this was for nothing.”
“Sophie. Stop.”
I don’t stop. I manage to get into the cubicle and shut the door in his face.
When I get out, Ashton is gone.
40
Ashton
IleaveSophieinthestore.
It’s not a good move, not a move that I’m proud of, but I can tell there’s nothing I can say that will change anything.
And even if it might, I have no idea what to say.
Because Sophie is right. I did set out to make her fall for me, so she wouldn’t escalate things with the accident.
I feel pretty terrible right now.
Not even Sophie’s conclusion that I didn’t even hit her with the car can help.
I’m not sure anything can.
I leave Sophie at the store, and make my way to Coffee for the Sole. Fenella is still there, laughing with Silas.
My sister managed to fall in love without messing it up. Why can’t I ever do the same?
“Where’s Sophie?” Fenella asks, then takes a good look at my face. “Oh, Ash. What did you do?”
41
Sophie
Thenextday,Iget Stella to take me over to our apartment—the apartment that she’s been staying with Gunnar most nights.
I don’t blame her. I don’t much want to be at the castle these days.
I haven’t seen Ashton, and I haven’t asked about him.
It’s taken almost all the willpower that I have, but I’ve done it.
Maybe he’s staying with Fenella. Maybe he’s hanging out with Fern.
