Save Myself From Desperation by Cara Agnes novel Chapter 296

Miranda woke up in Ashley's arms and immediately caught sight of Ashley's tender, affectionate gaze. Miranda's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly asked, "Ashley, have you been awake this whole time?"

"No, I just woke up," Ashley replied.

Ashley tucked the blanket around Miranda, not revealing that she had stayed awake all night, watching over Miranda for fear she might have nightmares.

Miranda yawned and snuggled closer into Ashley's embrace affectionately.

She felt incredibly well-rested, enveloped in Ashley's subtle fragrance, which was like snow-covered roses or a breeze over a lake, soothing all her unease and inner turmoil.

And moreover...

"Ashley," Miranda said while caressing Ashley's arm, clearly intrigued, "your skin is so nice! It's incredibly smooth and soft. It feels amazing to touch!"

Ashley was speechless at Miranda's comment.

Miranda, unable to stop touching Ashley's arm, suddenly asked with full curiosity, "When you were with Mr. Kingsley, did he particularly like to touch and feel you?"

Ashley fell silent, pondering, 'Perhaps he did, a little...'

Almost as if compelled by an unseen force, Ashley touched her arm, pondering to herself, 'I don't feel anything special about it...'

Miranda, who was equally clueless, followed along and touched her own arm, commenting, "Huh, it doesn't feel like much when I touch myself. I guess I'll just keep touching yours then."

The two spent a playful and laughing time in bed until it was almost noon. Ashley got up, freshened up, and then had lunch with Miranda.

With a meeting planned with Jessica at two o'clock, Ashley told Miranda to rest well and left for her own house.

She also had left a bodyguard to watch over Miranda's apartment, thinking it was necessary to protect Miranda's safety, at least until Jessica was dealt with.

Upon returning to Kingsley Villa, Valentin noticed the redness in Ashley's eyes and frowned with concern, "Didn't you rest?"

Ashley glanced at him and opened her arms for a hug, seeking comfort in her own haven. "What about you? Did you rest? Come on, give me a hug and energize me!"

Just as she embraced him, barely sinking into the moment, Joseph barged in.

"Holy smokes, what's going on, Valentin?! Did you guys just come from the police station?" he exclaimed.

Following behind Joseph, Claire also asked with concern, "Ashley, what happened?"

Ashley reluctantly let go of Valentin and shared the entire ordeal of Evan kidnapping Miranda the previous night, intending to use her as leverage.

Joseph cursed furiously, "Damn, Evan is really a monster to come up with such a sinister plan! And to think he claims Jessica didn't know anything. I'm sure she's very much involved!"

Claire sighed inwardly, 'Ashley really has it tough with such a family. She grew up with her grandparents. Seeing other kids living with their parents, she must have yearned for her own. When her grandparents passed away, and Ashley agreed to move back to Ramos Villa, she probably hoped to fulfill that childhood dream of parental love. But the Ramos family...'

Joseph was fuming with righteous anger as he looked at Ashley. "Ashley, you absolutely must not let Jessica off the hook that easily!"