The moment Ashley got home, she stormed straight into her room and threw herself onto the bed. Her eyes stung from the day's stress, and before she knew it, she had drifted off to sleep.
Meanwhile, Daynaud sat in the kitchen with Aunt Hallan, his voice sharp and full of irritation.
"I can't keep doing this. She's getting on my nerves. Ashley's impossible!"
Aunt Hallan's expression hardened. "You will continue. She must stay distracted. She must never learn the truth. Not yet."
Kira nodded in agreement. "This is bigger than your pride, Daynaud. Don't fail us."
Daynaud exhaled heavily, running a hand through his hair. "Fine," he muttered, frustrated, before pushing away from the table. Without another word, he marched upstairs to his room.
---
Ashley woke a short while later. She stretched, yawned, and decided to head downstairs. As she neared Aunt Hallan's room, she heard voices. Curious, she leaned against the wall and listened.
Her name. They were talking about her.
She pressed in closer—only for a deep voice to break the silence behind her.
"Why do you like spying on people?"
Ashley spun around, startled. Daynaud was standing there with his arms crossed, an amused smirk tugging at his lips. "You did it on your first day, and now again. Bad habit?"
"I wasn't spying!" she snapped, cheeks flushing.
Her eyes drifted over him then—black shirt, sharp blazer, cologne faintly clinging to the air. He was dressed too perfectly to just be lounging around.
"Wait…" she narrowed her eyes. "Are you going to the party?"
Daynaud arched a brow. "What party?"
"Don't play dumb! Kelly's party!" Ashley folded her arms stubbornly.
He sighed. "You're not going."
Her eyes widened. "What? Why not?"
"Because I said so."
Ashley leaned in, her tone mischievous. "Then maybe I'll just show up in my nerd glasses… and give Alex a kiss in front of everyone."
Daynaud froze. His jaw tightened. He knew if Ashley stayed home alone, there was a chance she might overhear something about her parents. That was a risk he couldn't take.
"Fine," he ground out. "But only tonight. Don't push your luck."
Ashley squealed and dashed upstairs to change.
---
When she finally came down, she wore a red dress that shimmered under the lights, her hair loose around her shoulders. She twirled once in front of him.
"Well?" she asked, grinning.
Daynaud barely glanced at her. "Don't you have a mirror?"
Her smile faltered. "Why are you always so rude?"
"Because you make it easy," he said flatly, striding toward the door. "Now get in the car."
Outside, a sleek red car gleamed under the night sky. Ashley's eyes widened. "Aunt Hallan let you borrow her car?"
Daynaud slipped on his sunglasses even though it was night. "It's mine, idiot."
Her jaw dropped. "Yours?!"
"Get in."
She huffed but obeyed, slamming the door behind her.
As they drove, Ashley leaned back against the seat, sneaking glances at him. "Why don't you care that a girl you didn't even know is suddenly living with you? Don't you find that… weird?"
Daynaud kept his eyes on the road. Silence.
"Who's your dad?" she pressed.
Still nothing.
Frustrated, Ashley's eyes welled up with tears. "I miss my parents…" her voice cracked. "It's only been three days, but it feels like forever."
Daynaud's grip on the wheel tightened. His voice dropped, quieter, almost cold. "Crybaby. If you're this broken after three days, what about kids who haven't seen their parents in years?"
Ashley blinked at him. His tone was sharp, but his eyes—just for a second—looked heavy, almost wounded. Like he knew exactly what that pain felt like.
"Daynaud…" she whispered. "What happened to you?"
But he didn't answer.
Instead, he pulled the car into Kelly's driveway, the sound of music booming from inside. He stepped out first, his expression unreadable.
He opened her door and leaned down, his voice low and serious.
"Listen carefully. Don't do anything stupid. Don't drink. Don't let anyone touch you. And don't you dare end up pregnant. Or I won't take you home with me."
Ashley stared at him, stunned. Before she could argue, her new squad—Natalia, Talia, and Jennie—came rushing over, squealing as they pulled her away.
And Daynaud watched silently, his jaw clenched, as if preparing for the storm that was about to unfold inside.