Bound By A Broken Night novel Chapter 114

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Chapter 114

“Yeah… you’ve told me that countless times.”

She gave a small, hollow chuckle and nodded, as if agreeing with something long settled, something she no longer had the strength to argue against.

Turning away from him, she faced the lagoon. The water was calm, the surface reflecting the quiet sky—but her vision blurred as fresh tears slipped down her cheeks.

“But do I really deserve all this?” she whispered.

The question drifted into the open air, carried by the wind more than directed at him. Her fingers tightened slightly at her sides. “I wasn’t asking for much,” she continued softly.

“I just wanted to be accepted. I just wanted to know what it feels like to have a family.” Her voice trembled, but she didn’t wipe the tears.

“A family that cares. A family that sees me… and doesn’t treat me like I’m something they’re forced to tolerate.”

More tears followed, unchecked, as if she had finally grown too tired to hide them.

She gave a faint nod, her lips curving into a fragile, self–mocking smile.

“Yes… I know. I’m pathetic. A pitiful fool.”

A quiet, bitter laugh escaped her.

“I kept hoping. I kept trying. Even when it was obvious I didn’t belong.”

She inhaled slowly, steadying herself, then turned her head just enough to glance at him..

“But does that give you a reason to destroy me like this?”

The question was no longer soft. It carried hurt. Confusion. Exhaustion.

Her eyes searched his face, trembling but determined.

“What did I ever do to you, Ashton Pierce?” she asked, her voice breaking despite her effort to keep it steady.

“Why do you hate me this much?”

He said nothing. The silence stretched between them–heavy, immovable.

But she didn’t turn away this time. She waited. Because this wasn’t anger anymore. She needed to know.

She needed the truth–every painful piece of it—so she could finally let go… and move forward with whatever was left of her

heart.

“Tell me, Cassie.”

The words came only after a long, suffocating silence. His voice was calm. Too calm.

“Where do you think you would be right now… if I hadn’t intervened?”

Like her, Ashton turned his gaze toward the lagoon, its quiet stillness a stark contrast to the storm building between them.

Cassie didn’t answer immediately. She stood there, frozen, turning his question over in her mind–afraid of the answer, yet already sensing it.

Ashton didn’t wait long.

7

Chapter 114

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“Yeah…you’ve told me that countless times.”

She gave a small, hollow chuckle and nodded, as if agreeing with something long settled, something she no longer had the strength to argue against.

Turning away from him, she faced the lagoon. The water was calm, the surface reflecting the quiet sky—but her vision blurred as fresh tears slipped down her cheeks.

“But do I really deserve all this?” she whispered.

The question drifted into the open air, carried by the wind more than directed at him. Her fingers tightened slightly at her sides. “I wasn’t asking for much,” she continued softly.

“I just wanted to be accepted. I just wanted to know what it feels like to have a family.” Her voice trembled, but she didn’t wipe the tears.

“A family that cares. A family that sees me… and doesn’t treat me like I’m something they’re forced to tolerate.”

More tears followed, unchecked, as if she had finally grown too tired to hide them.

gave a faint nod, her lips curving into a fragile, self–mocking smile.

“Yes… I know. I’m pathetic. A pitiful fool.”

A quiet, bitter laugh escaped her.

“I kept hoping. I kept trying. Even when it was obvious I didn’t belong.”

She inhaled slowly, steadying herself, then turned her head just enough to glance at him.

“But does that give you a reason to destroy me like this?”

The question was no longer soft. It carried hurt. Confusion. Exhaustion.

Her eyes searched his face, trembling but determined.

“What did I ever do to you, Ashton Pierce?” she asked, her voice breaking despite her effort to keep it steady.

“Why do you hate me this much?”

He said nothing. The silence stretched between them–heavy, immovable.

But she didn’t turn away this time. She waited. Because this wasn’t anger anymore. She needed to know.

She needed the truth–every painful piece of it–so she could finally let go… and move forward with whatever was left of her heart.

“Tell me, Cassie.”

The words came only after a long, suffocating silence. His voice was calm. Too calm.

“Where do you think you would be right now… if I hadn’t intervened?”

Like her, Ashton turned his gaze toward the lagoon, its quiet stillness a stark contrast to the storm building between them.

Cassie didn’t answer immediately. She stood there, frozen, turning his question over in her mind–afraid of the answer, yet already sensing it.

Ashton didn’t wait long.

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“You would still be trapped inside the Knowles household,” he said flatly.

“Not as family. Not even as a guest.”

His jaw tightened.

“As their servant.”

The word fell heavy.

“And you would be treated worse than a dog.”

Cassie’s fingers trembled slightly at her sides. She didn’t deny it. Because deep down… she knew.

“Yes,” Ashton continued, his tone cold, unyielding.

“I am heartless. I am cruel.” He finally turned to face her.

“I destroyed everything around you.” His eyes hardened.

“So you would know what it feels like to lose everything. To be abandoned. To be stripped of every false security you were clinging to.” Each word was deliberate. Controlled. Merciless.

“So you wouldn’t have any choice left… except to stand on your own.” His voice dropped.

“Not relying on anyone. Not begging anyone. Not shrinking yourself for anyone.”

Cassie’s breathing grew uneven. But Ashton wasn’t finished.

“Because I hated what you became.”

His gaze sharpened, cutting straight through her.

“I hated you for being weak. For being blind. For making yourself small and pitiful.”

He took a step closer.

“I hated watching you let Mirriam manipulate you like a puppet.”

Another step.

“I hated seeing you lower yourself–humiliating yourself in front of Madame Rima—just to get a single approving glance from Red Knowles.”

The disgust in his voice was raw now. Unfiltered.

“I warned you,” he said, his eyes burning into hers.