Top Assassins Call Me The Lady Boss novel Chapter 172

Chapter 172: She shouldn’t be

Chapter One Hundred and Seventy-Two

Asli shut the door behind her with more force than necessary.

The house was quiet in that deceptive way. She walked gently, every muscle in her body screaming for rest, and turned toward her bedroom.

She stopped short.

Matilda was sitting cross-legged on her bed, phone discarded beside her, eyes too alert for the hour.

Asli narrowed her gaze. "Why aren’t you asleep?"

Matilda shifted, clearly bracing herself. "How is Josephine living with us now?"

Asli closed her eyes for a brief second. Just one. Her head throbbed.

"Matilda," she said flatly, walking past her to drop her jacket on the chair, "I’ll explain later. I’m too tired. I need to rest."

Before Matilda could argue, a knock sounded at the door.

Soft. Hesitant.

Matilda slid off the bed and padded over, opening it just enough to peek out. Her expression changed instantly.

Josephine stood there.

Her eyes were swollen but bright, her lips stretched into a small, hopeful smile, as if she was afraid it might disappear if she relaxed it.

"You’re home," Josephine said softly when she saw Asli. "My mum is conscious now. Thank you." Then, after a beat, her smile wavered. "Where is he?"

Asli leaned against the wall and folded her arms, watching the two girls like an outsider intruding on something fragile. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"I need a good sleep," she said coolly. "Both of you, out."

"But Asli..." Matilda started.

Asli shot her a look.

It wasn’t anything loud, maybe dramatic.

Deadly.

Both girls froze.

"Josephine will tell you," Asli added. "Get out."

Matilda hesitated, then turned to Josephine.

"I asked her for a favor," Josephine said quietly, eyes on the floor. "And in return, she asked me to be your friend."

Matilda blinked. "Oh my God... I thought for once I actually had a friend, only to find out..."

"I’m sorry," Josephine cut in, her voice cracking. "But along the line, we became friends. I even forgot your sister didn’t hold her end of the deal and decided to stay with my father." Her voice broke completely. "This evening... I couldn’t anymore."

Tears spilled over.

Matilda wrapped her arms around her without thinking. "You’re safe now," she whispered. "Don’t worry."

Asli rolled her eyes. "Can the two of you take this outside my room?"

Josephine sniffed, wiped her face hastily, and nodded. "Yeah... sorry. Good night."

She turned to Matilda as they walked off. "Can I get a pad? It’s... that time of the month."

Matilda nodded immediately, steering her away from Asli’s room.

The door closed.

Asli exhaled and finally sat on the edge of the bed. Her body sagged under the weight of exhaustion she’d been holding back all night.

Ruth didn’t make it easier. She was only making the reality more vivid, and more immediate.

What would she tell her father? She imagined his furrowed brow, disapproval cutting sharper than any knife. Oh, he’d kill her.

What about Matilda? Or the young ones who were looking up to her? Or even Ruth herself?

Her eyes darted to the window. Everything continued as if nothing had happened. But inside her chest, a storm raged.

And then there was Ahmet.

Her fingers tightened around her phone. He had to know. No matter what, he had to. She couldn’t face this alone. But last night, last night he was still furious. She remembered the gunshot, the way he had looked at her.

Would he even pick up if she called? Or would he let the tension simmer, and leave her to freak out alone?

Her fingers hovered over the screen. She had to try.

She dialed.

The phone rang once. Twice. And then his calm voice cut through, smooth and deliberate, almost too casual.

"I’m in the middle of something. Can I call you after I’m..."

Asli didn’t let him finish. Her hands shook, just like her voice, yet louder than she expected. "Like hell! Do you think I’m calling because I missed you?"

For a moment, the line went quiet. She could hear his inhale, the slight hitch of surprise, then his exhale.

She waited for his outburst.

"I... I’m listening," he said finally, clipped now, the edges of patience showing.

Why was he calm? He was patient. Why? This was unlike him.

Asli clenched her fists around the phone.