Broken Souls by Beth Ashworth Read Free Book Online Page A

carpeted floor. She knew that Ben was still in shock as she was, but his constant barrage of questions wasn’t helping her. Her emotions were raw and the spark in her eyes had vanished.
    “ You needed to think ?” Ben repeated her words slowly and carefully. “Right, okay. That was a little bit selfish don’t you think? I have been worried sick about you and wondering what had happened. And then... I hear that...” He choked as he struggled to finish his sentence.
    “I-I-I’m sorry,” Ashley whimpered, her heart shattering from each strangled cry that came from Ben’s throat. He was devastated. “I’m sorry, Ben,” she continued to repeat over and over, her own body now shuddering from the force of her emotions.
    “S-Stop,” Ben choked, holding up his hands in surrender. “Ashley, please just stop. I can’t take this. It isn’t worth it,” he said, shaking his head. “It isn’t worth it. No!”
    Ashley stepped forward to try and comfort him. She needed his warmth right now to help her. His arms would hold her tight and they would cry and grieve together. “I don’t understand what you are saying?” she said softly, placing her hands on his quivering shoulders. “Please,” she begged, looking at him with pleading eyes. “Stay with me.”
    “I have to go and sort myself out. Ashley, I’m sorry.” He opened his mouth to speak further, but quickly closed it again as he saw her grief-stricken expression. She saw the conflict flash across his eyes before he turned silently and walked out of the door.
    Hearing the lock click closed, Ashley crumbled to the floor in a tearful mess. She felt her eyes swell to the point of pain as moisture continued to pool and fall against her cheeks. This was it... she was finally home and alone in the flat without Gabby. A thickness clogged the back of her throat causing discomfort as she tried to swallow.
    Squeezing her eyes shut, she tried to block out everything around her. She tried to forget about Gabby's mountain of high heeled shoes that were piled in the doorway, or her various items of clothing that were strewn about the living room. Each reminder felt like a new stab into her already wounded heart.
    Directing her face up to the sky, Ashley let out a soft sob. “What am I supposed to do now, hey? Gabby, tell me what to do!” Soft tremors wracked her petite frame as she tried to seek out some form of answer to her question.
    Her tears continued to fall, and the muscles in Ashley's arms and legs felt instantly tight and stiff as her body slowly numbed from head to toe. She felt as if she had become paralyzed without knowing. Every nerve ending in her body felt the same.
    She was f rozen.
    Staying in the same spot, Ashley cried to the point of pure exhaustion. It wasn’t until the overwhelming pressure and tiredness in her eyes became too much that she finally forced herself into bed. She didn't want to sleep, but knew that her body could take no more. She flicked her eyes towards the hallway and her open bedroom door that seemed so far away.
    “ Come on,” she breathed, trying to motivate herself to get up.
    Placing both of her palms on the floor, Ashley pushed up with all of the strength she could muster from within. The twinges and aches of protest she felt in her muscles were not enough to deter her as she stoo d and made her way towards the open door and her invitingly comfy looking bed.
     
    ~
     
    Fortunately, despite the heavy thoughts and emotions swirling around her mind, Ashley had been able to fall quickly into a deep sleep. As soon as her head had hit the soft and fluffy pillows that adorned her bed, her eyes were closed and her breaths had grown shallower. It was this position she had remained in for a number of hours until she was rudely roused from her sleepy depths.
    She had been oblivious to the constant knocking on the door. It hadn't been loud enough to wake her until the knocks had turned into almighty pounds.
    Mumbling softly, she allowed