Leaning her head back against the wall, one foot propped up against it, Ashley sighed deeply as Nyx nudged her, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. Nyx had noticed Ashley's gaze fixed on Mia, who sat at the table with her head buried in her arms.

"I know that look," Nyx said, chuckling softly. "That's the look you get when you're torn between choices."

Ashley rolled her eyes, swirling the liquor in the glass she held. "If I asked you something, Nyx, would you give me an honest answer?"

Nyx laughed. "You're already asking, idiot," she said, taking a sip from her drink as she glanced over at Sienna, who was gently patting Mia's head. "What did you do to Mia? She's been like that ever since you guys got back," Nyx added, eyes narrowing at Ashley.

Ashley hesitated, glancing down. "She cried in the washroom, asking why I'd forgotten her... like I was supposed to remember her," she murmured, biting her lip. "I don't know what to do, Nyx. I'm torn. I don't know what's real anymore." She stole another look at Mia.

Nyx chuckled, her tone a little more serious. "You do remember your promise to Vika, right?" she asked after a moment.

Ashley's frown deepened. "What? That we'd marry if we were both still unmarried by thirty? Yeah, but I never thought it would come to that... It was just a childhood promise." She shook her head, frustration creeping in. "But did I really propose to her?"

Nyx scoffed. "You didn't," she said softly, pointing with her glass toward Mia. "You see that woman, the one you just let cry? She's the one you proposed to, Ash. Don't forget that."

Ashley's eyes widened, her heart skipping a beat as she glanced from Nyx to Mia. After a moment, she shook her head, laughing softly. "Come on, Nyx," she said, trying to brush off the weight of Nyx's words. "Why would I forget the person I proposed to? I mean, isn't that—"

Nyx shoved her lightly, her voice growing firmer. "What the heck—"

"Hey," Nyx snapped, her tone sharp. "You're asking me what's real, right? I'm telling you the truth! Why don't you just wake up from this nonsense of yours?!" she hissed.

The sudden tension in the air was palpable, and everyone around them paused. Mia, in particular, stood up quickly, walking toward them. "Nyx," she said softly, her voice hesitant but firm.

Ashley turned toward Nyx, startled by the force of the shove. "What are you—" she began, but cut herself off when Nyx gripped her collar. "Nyx, you're drunk," Ashley sighed, trying to pull Nyx's hand off her shirt.

"Nyx, honey," Vera's voice rang out, calm but firm. She stepped forward, grabbing Nyx's hand gently. Nyx looked up at her wife, who gave a subtle shake of her head. "Don't do this," Vera said softly. "Let go of Ashley now," she added, her voice insistent yet soothing.

Nyx swallowed hard, her eyes flicking between Vera and Ashley. She shut her eyes for a moment before releasing Ashley's collar, mumbling an apology. "Sorry," she said, her voice small.

Ashley met Mia's gaze, a flicker of concern crossing her features. "Are you alright?" Mia asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She didn't move closer but her eyes were full of worry.

Ashley gave a slow nod, her expression softening. "Yeah, I'm fine."

Vera sighed, still holding onto Nyx's hand. "Ash, can you drop Mia back to her unit?" she asked, her voice a little more even now. "And I'm sorry about my firstborn here," she added, guiding Nyx to sit on the couch.

Ashley nodded, glancing at Vera, then at Nyx. "Okay," she said quietly. "I'll take Mia back to her place."

Vera offered Ashley a small, knowing smile. "And please, drop by my office tomorrow," she said, her voice calm but firm. "There's something I need to tell you." Her gaze shifted briefly to Mia, lingering meaningfully.

"Vera," Mia called out softly, her brows furrowing with concern.

Vera nodded gently, her expression reassuring. "It's fine," she replied, her tone steady yet carrying a hint of weight. "I think it's best that Ashley knows... before it's too late," she added, her words heavy with unspoken significance.



Ashley let out a deep sigh, rubbing the back of her head as her gaze landed on Mia. She was clutching Sienna's arm tightly, avoiding even a glance in Ashley's direction. The sight made Ashley scoff softly, the tension manifesting as a dull ache behind her temples. She pressed her fingers to her forehead, shutting her eyes in frustration.

She hadn't indulged in much liquor earlier—her doctor had been clear that her post-surgery anti-inflammatory medication and antidepressants didn't mix well with alcohol. Even so, every time her gaze landed on Mia, her heart betrayed her. It raced abnormally, a rapid thrum she couldn't ignore.

A gentle nudge at her side pulled her from her thoughts. She turned her head to see Nyx standing beside her, holding out a cold bottle of water. Nyx avoided direct eye contact, her expression unusually reserved.

Ashley chuckled lightly, accepting the bottle. "Thanks," she muttered, unscrewing the cap and taking a gulp of it.

She capped the bottle as Nyx let out her own sigh, running her fingers through her hair.

"Look," Nyx began, her tone tinged with hesitation, "I'm sorry about what I've done back there. You know, inside." She chuckled awkwardly, glancing away.

Ashley raised an eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "It's not like I'm mad at you or anything," she said with a shrug.

"Still," Nyx pressed on, "I shouldn't have done it. Knowing what you're dealing with, it was just... insensitive of me."

Ashley shook her head, chuckling softly. "I get it, I understand," she said, nodding. "Honestly, I don't even know what to think right now. My head's a mess, Nyx. I can't process half of what's going on." She paused, her gaze flickering toward Mia. Is she really my fiancée? But... Vika... why would she—

A tap on her shoulder snapped her out of her spiraling thoughts.

"Mia loves you, Ash, and you love her too," Nyx said gently. Her voice was calm but firm, her gaze now on Mia, who was being comforted by Sienna and Riley. "She's holding back from telling you the truth because she doesn't want to add to your confusion. She's trying so hard not to make things harder for you."

Ashley swallowed hard, her throat tight. "I don't know what happened, Nyx," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Even my family's keeping things from me, like they expect me to figure everything out on my own, alone."

"You're not alone, Ash," Nyx said, her tone softening. "But even if we all try to help you piece things together, it won't matter if you keep denying it or refusing to accept what we're telling you. At the end of the day, it's up to you. You've always made your own decisions, so do yourself a favor—listen to what your heart is telling you."

Nyx's gaze turned sharp, her voice steady but unyielding. "You keep saying Vika is your fiancée, but I see the way you look at Mia. You long for her, even if you're too torn to admit it. Even if your mind is torn to admit it, your heart is aching for Mia."

Ashley opened her mouth to respond, but Nyx cut her off.

"And let me make one thing clear," Nyx said, stepping closer, her voice dropping into a warning tone. "If you choose Vika, if you marry her instead of Mia..." Nyx smirked, pushing Ashley gently but firmly. "We, the Pierce sisters, will make damn sure you never see Mia again. Not even her shadow."

Ashley's eyes widened, her breath catching.

"Mia isn't just Riley's childhood friend," Nyx continued, her tone softening but still resolute. "She's family—our sister, blood or not. And trust me, Ash, you know how I operate. I always get my way. Even if you regain your memories, if you choose Vika, I'll make sure Mia stays far, far away from you."

The words hit Ashley like a punch to the chest. The thought of never seeing Mia again—it hurt more than she wanted to admit. Her gaze shifted to Mia, her heart squeezing at the sight of her still clinging to Sienna, her face unreadable.

Ashley bit her lower lip, her thoughts in turmoil. Why does it hurt so much? she wondered, clutching the water bottle tighter.

"Mark my words, Ash," Nyx said, raising her fist, a subtle challenge lingering in her smirk.

Ashley glanced at Nyx's outstretched fist and sighed deeply. "I'll take note of that," she replied, reluctantly bumping her own fist against Nyx's.