Chapter 3
"Miss Dutton, could you get me a coffee? No sugar, thanks," Bella said.
Bella's tone was so casual, like she expected me to wait on her hand and foot.
I looked down and headed for the break room.
Behind me, Bella's syrupy voice floated over.
"Ashton, look at her. She's such bad luck," Bella said.
"Aren't you worried she'll be an eyesore if you keep her around?" she added.
Ashton didn't say a word.
When I came back with the coffee, Bella stuck her foot out, trying to trip me.
I was ready for it and kept my balance.
Not a single drop of the hot coffee spilled.
Bella's expression soured.
I set the coffee down on the table in front of her, expressionless.
"Miss Hamilton, your coffee," I said, keeping my voice flat.
Bella grabbed the cup, took a sip, and instantly spat it out.
"Ah! It's burning hot!" Bella screamed.
She let out a shriek and splashed the entire cup of coffee all over me.
The burning hot coffee soaked right through my thin shirt, making my skin raw and red.
It stung like hell.
"You bitch! Are you trying to burn me alive?" Bella screamed.
Bella jumped up, her hand raised, aiming to slap me across the face.
I didn't dodge.
I just looked at Ashton.
I wanted to see how he'd react.
He frowned, and something complicated flickered in his eyes.
But the slap never came.
Ashton caught Bella's wrist.
My heart skipped a beat.
Was he actually standing up for me?
But the words that came out of his mouth next sent a chill straight through me.
"Bella, don't touch her," Ashton said.
He pulled Bella behind him, his voice cold as ice.
"My property. If it needs to be ruined, only I get to do it," he said.
Bella froze for a moment, then a triumphant smile crept onto her face.
She shot me a defiant look, then nestled herself against Ashton.
She whined, "Ashton, you scared me.
"Look at my hand, it's all red from the burn. It hurts so bad."
Ashton's gaze swept right past my burned arm, not even pausing for a second.
He lowered his head and gently blew on Bella's hand.
"So delicate," he said, his tone cool and teasing.
There was a note of spoiling in his voice.
That was the tenderness I used to be so familiar with, but now it belonged to another woman.
My heart felt like a thousand needles were stabbing it.
"Get out," Ashton ordered, his voice icy.
I turned and fled, desperate to escape this suffocating place.
Back at my desk, I ran cold water over my burned skin, but the tears wouldn't stop.
Bridget, why were you crying?
Didn't you bring this on yourself?
When you let go seven years ago, you should've known this day would come.
I forced myself to stop crying, grabbed some ointment, and messily smeared it over my skin.
That afternoon, Ashton told me to follow him to a business event.
Bella, naturally, was right there with him.
She slipped into a sparkling evening gown, brimming with arrogance and vanity, while I was still wearing my cheap office suit, feeling like an ugly duckling.
At the event, Ashton navigated the crowd with ease, mingling confidently with people.
I followed close behind, dutifully playing the part of his assistant, keeping a low profile and making sure everything ran smoothly.
"Ashton, my feet hurt. Hold me for a bit, please?" Bella cooed, her voice sugary sweet.
Ashton naturally pulled her into his arms, like it was the most normal thing in the world.
Their intimate pose had everyone watching them with envy.
"Mr. Colbert and Miss Hamilton are a perfect couple. He's got the looks, and she's got the charm. It's like fate brought them together," someone whispered.
"Yeah, I heard wedding bells are ringing for them," another person added.
I held my glass, my face unreadable, listening to the chatter around me.
Suddenly, a greasy middle-aged man with a drink in hand made his way over to me.
"All alone, miss?" he asked, his voice oozing with sleaze.
He was Ashton's business partner, Luke Brady.
I gave him a polite smile. "Mr. Brady, I'm Mr. Colbert's assistant."
"The assistant, huh..." Luke looked me up and down, like he was sizing up a prize. "No wonder. Mr. Colbert's assistant is a real knockout."
He leaned in closer, the stench of alcohol making my stomach turn.
"Care to have a drink with me?" he asked, his voice dripping with sleaze.
I instinctively took a step back, about to say no.
But Ashton spoke up from nearby.
"Bridget," he called.
He had Bella in his arms and was looking our way.
"Mr. Brady's got his eye on you; consider yourself lucky," Ashton said, his voice cold and dismissive.
"Go on, raise a glass to Mr. Brady," he added.
His words felt like an order, leaving me frozen in place.
Luke's grin got even sleazier.
"You heard him, right? Mr. Colbert gave the word," he said, pressing a full glass of liquor into my hand.