Chapter 8
The doctor sighed.
Ryland’s expression tensed instantly. Then he heard the doctor speak with pity in his tone:
“Given her condition, if she didn’t keep that child… she’ll probably never be able to get pregnant again.”
The surgeon performing her abortion must have warned her. These young people nowadays, the damage to their hearts
far exceeds the damage to their bodies.”
The words drained Ryland completely.
Then Winnie arrived.
She’d been holding in a storm, and she let it break over Ryland without restraint.
“A bright, sunny girl like our Ashley should’ve found herself a golden retriever of a man. Someone warm.”
“She, could’ve had any guy she wanted.”
“I still don’t get how she ever loved a cold bastard like you. Loved you so hard it almost killed her.”
Ryland didn’t argue. His heart felt like a chunk had been carved out of it.
He despised himself. For hurting Ashley. For doubting her sincerity.
For making someone compile everything she’d ever done and throwing it at her on their wedding night.
Every single thing on that list had been her sacrifice and her devotion.
His assistant’s message came through.
Daisy had jumped off the yacht into open waters.
The news didn’t bring Ryland any satisfaction. It only sharpened the guilt cutting into him over Ashley.
The gala. Walking Daisy in and out of every room.
Letting her flaunt the custom gown and jewelry that had been made for Ashley.
Letting her smear lipstick prints all over his shirts.
Every gesture of love Ashley had ever shown him, he’d twisted it into something cheap, some calculated seduction.
He’d driven away the one person who’d loved him most with his own hands.
Ryland struck himself across the face. Again and again. No one could stop him.
Chapter 8
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He kept saying it, over and over ‘I’m sorry. Ashley.”
The bullet wounds had damaged nerves in his calf. He didn’t cooperate with rehab.
Reginald Harrington’s blood pressure spiked dangerously more than once. He confronted Ryland head-on.
“Are you content to become a cripple?”
Ryland just smiled. He didn’t care.
“I wish both my legs would give out completely. If Ashley saw me like this, maybe it’d make her smile.”
His eyes grew wet.
She’d been so afraid of pain. How did she survive those recovery rooms?
All those years together, she’d acted like nothing was wrong.
When it got unbearable, she’d just lock herself away and swallow painkillers.
‘Ryland Harrington. I spent the rest of my life cultivating you and it’s not for you to cry over a woman here!*
‘I’ll send men to France. I’ll drag her back.”
“No! Grandpa, don’t.”
Ryland was desperate to make things right, and just as desperate not to destroy her peace.
I’ll do the rehab. Everything. Just don’t send anyone after her.”
One year later. The International Miniature Horse Pageant and Exchange.
Finally, Ryland had his opening.
He poured in a fortune. Convinced the organizers to move the event stateside.
The Provençal farm owner was bound to come. And if there was any chance of seeing Ashley again, he’d have paid any
price.
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