As Ashley pulled into the parking lot, Mia hastily unbuckled her seatbelt and pushed the passenger door open. Without a glance back, she stepped out, her movements hurried and unsteady. Ashley gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles white, fighting the urge to follow. But her restraint faltered, and before she knew it, she was unbuckling herself and stepping out of the car.

Jogging after Mia, Ashley called out, "Mia, wait," as her hand found Mia's elbow.

Mia blinked, her glassy eyes meeting Ashley's. She glanced down at Ashley's hand, then back at her face. "What are you doing, Ash?" she asked, her voice thick and nasal from crying.

"Let me help you," Ashley said softly, pulling Mia closer to steady her wobbling steps.

Mia chuckled bitterly, shaking her head as she pushed Ashley away. "Go away, Ash," she muttered, waving her hands dismissively. She swayed dangerously but stood her ground.

Ashley groaned, her patience fraying. Without a word, she scooped Mia up with one arm, carrying her as if she weighed nothing.

"Hey! What are you doing? Put me down!" Mia protested, wiggling against Ashley's hold, but it was futile. Ashley's grip was firm, unyielding.

The concierge staff stifled their laughter, exchanging amused glances as Ashley marched toward the elevator, Mia flailing slightly in her arm.

"Ash! What the hell?!" Mia hissed as they entered the elevator. "You're embarrassing me!"

Ashley ignored her. "What floor?"

Mia clamped her mouth shut, refusing to answer.

"Mia," Ashley said, her tone edged with frustration. "What floor?"

"...Seventeenth," Mia mumbled, her cheeks burning as more passengers stepped into the elevator, throwing curious glances her way. "Can you put me down now, please?" she whispered, flustered.

"No," Ashley replied firmly, adjusting Mia slightly in her arm.

Mia blinked in disbelief. How is she this strong? Her thoughts raced as the elevator dinged, signaling their floor.

"Which room?" Ashley asked, glancing down at Mia.

Mia muttered her unit number, still too flustered to meet Ashley's eyes. Once they reached the door, Ashley gently set her down. Mia quickly straightened her clothes, her hands trembling as she fumbled for her card key.

Pushing the door open, she stepped inside and glanced back. "You can go now," she said, her voice firm despite the slight quiver.

But before she could shut the door, Ashley shoved it open, stepping inside with her.

Mia's eyes widened. "A-Ash, what are you—"

Ashley closed the door behind her with a resolute click. "Is it true?" she asked, her voice low but urgent as she stepped closer.

"What are you talking about?" Mia whispered, taking a step back.

Ashley's hand shot out, grabbing Mia's wrist and turning her around, pinning her gently against the door. "Tell me the truth, Mia," she demanded, her breath warm against Mia's skin. "What Nyx said... was it true?"

Mia's heart raced. "What did Nyx tell you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ashley's eyes searched hers. "Did I..." She swallowed hard, her throat dry. "Am I... engaged to you?"

Mia's breath hitched as tears welled in her eyes. Her hand reached for Ashley's face, her thumb brushing against her cheek in a tender, trembling motion. "Ash," she whispered, her voice cracking as she leaned in and captured Ashley's lips in a desperate kiss.

Ashley froze, her eyes wide in shock. Her body screamed to pull back, but something deep within her resisted. Her hands found Mia's waist, holding her as she kissed her back, the act instinctual and raw.

When they finally parted, gasping for air, Ashley rested her forehead against Mia's, her pulse thundering in her ears.

"Mia, this is... you're engaged... and so am I," Ashley murmured, her voice wavering as her hands lingered on Mia's waist, hesitant to let go.

Mia's chest heaved as she steadied her breathing. "Does this feel wrong to you?" she asked, her gaze locking with Ashley's.

"I..." Ashley shut her eyes, her hands still on Mia's waist. "I should say it does, but..."

"But what?" Mia's fingers softly played with Ashley's hair, waiting for her answer.

"But... whenever I'm near you..." Ashley's voice trembled as she opened her eyes. "Everything feels so right."

The last thread of Ashley's resolve snapped as she leaned in, claiming Mia's lips in a fervent kiss. Her doubts, her confusion, all melted away in the heat of their embrace as Mia pulled her closer, deepening the kiss.

Mia arched her back, rising onto her toes to close the space between them. Ashley's hands slid beneath Mia's cropped blouse, brushing against the soft warmth of her skin. A sharp intake of breath escaped Ashley's lips before she deepened their kiss, her tongue sweeping into Mia's mouth with an urgency she couldn't suppress. Mia responded in kind, guiding Ashley backward without breaking their connection.

Panting softly, Ashley pulled back for air but immediately found herself leaning in again, unable to resist the pull. Mia tugged her toward the bedroom, her steps sure and deliberate, even as her trembling hands closed the door behind them.

With gentle yet firm pressure, Mia pushed Ashley down onto the bed. Propping herself on one elbow, Ashley looked up, her breath coming in uneven gasps as her gaze met Mia's. Mia stood poised before her, a bittersweet smile tugging at her lips. "Does this bring back any memories?" she murmured, tilting Ashley's chin upward.

Ashley's throat tightened, and she shook her head, her lips parting in a silent protest. "I... I don't know," she stammered, her voice trembling. Mia's gaze was filled with something raw—an unspoken longing that made Ashley's chest ache with emotions she couldn't place.

Mia lifted a knee, resting it between Ashley's thighs as she leaned closer. "It's true," Mia whispered, her voice wavering but resolute. "What Nyx said... it's all true."

"What are you talking about?" Ashley asked, her voice barely audible, her wide eyes locked on Mia's face.

"I'm your fiancée, Ash," Mia said, cradling Ashley's face in her hands. Her thumbs brushed against Ashley's flushed cheeks as tears threatened to spill from her own eyes. "Please, try to remember me," she pleaded, her voice cracking under the weight of her words.

"No," Ashley breathed, her hands tangling in her hair as her mind raced. "How could I forget? How could I ever—" Her words broke off into a choked sob as confusion and guilt warred within her.

Mia leaned in, her lips brushing against Ashley's in a soft kiss meant to soothe and ignite all at once. "Ash," she whispered, her voice steady yet imploring. "What do I need to do to make you believe me? I have the proof. All of it."

Ashley reached up, her trembling hand cupping Mia's face. "Mia..." she murmured, her resolve weakening as she drew Mia down for another kiss. Her mind screamed for control, but her body surrendered to the truth that lay in Mia's touch.

Mia lowered Ashley onto the bed, but Ashley quickly flipped their positions, pinning Mia beneath her. A sharp gasp escaped Mia as her hands slid up Ashley's sides, tugging at the hem of her shirt and pulling it over her head in one fluid motion.

"Mia," Ashley mumbled, her voice thick with conflict. "I'm still with Vika..." The name fell from her lips like a plea for clarity she knew wouldn't come.

Mia framed Ashley's face with her hands, her gaze fierce and unyielding. "You're mine, Ash," she said firmly, her voice a low tremor of defiance. "You're not with Vika, you're not engaged with her. I don't care about her—or anyone else. You're mine, you're mine alone, Ash."

Ashley's self-control was tattered with every word, every touch. She groaned in frustration and longing, her lips capturing Mia's with a hunger that consumed them both. She gripped the delicate fabric of Mia's blouse, tearing it apart and tossing it aside without hesitation.

Mia gasped at the intensity, her body arching to meet Ashley's. Ashley's hands roamed downward, sliding Mia's skirt up and peeling away her underwear with deliberate care. Mia's breath hitched as Ashley's fingers traced her skin, igniting a fire that consumed her completely.

"Own me," Mia whispered, her voice breaking between kisses, her fingers tangled in Ashley's hair. The words were both a plea and a declaration, her heart laid bare in the stillness of the room.

Ashley's lips traveled down Mia's neck, her breathing ragged as her fingers moved with a practiced intimacy that made Mia gasp sharply. "God," Ashley groaned, her voice thick with emotion and desire, her body moving in time with Mia's.

"I love you, Ash," Mia whispered through uneven breaths, her legs wrapping tightly around Ashley's waist. She knew, deep down, that the morning might bring uncertainty, but at this moment, nothing else mattered.