I couldn’t focus on anything else and became more despondent. During this time, Shelly grew closer to Ashley, and Patrick obeyed her every word.
I had no idea just how twisted Shelly really was until I found out what she'd done-- She drugged Ashley, slept with him, and then forced him to take responsibility for her.
But it was too late for me to do anything. She pushed me from a high place, claiming to others that I had taken my own life out of despair.
Her acting skills deceived everyone, and she replaced me as the lady of the house.
I snapped out of my memories and calmly refused her, "I can’t help you."
Seeing my refusal, she gave me a strange look and quickly turned to Ashley, begging, "You watched me grow up. You can’t just leave me to die..."
As she continued to argue, I interrupted, cutting off Ashley’s opportunity to respond. "Our families are pretty close. If your dad finds out I took you, he’ll cause trouble for my parents. We can’t afford that."
Ashley, always kind-hearted, would have helped Shelly if he didn’t understand the consequences.
I hurriedly pushed Ashley into the car, and we left quickly.