Overnight Heiress

All I did was step outside for some air. Clear my head. And now, I was pinned to the ground, struggling against Asher's weight, his hand clamped over my mouth.

Was this my life now? Trouble at every damn corner?

I fought with everything I had, twisting, kicking, trying to throw him off, but he was stronger. His fingers fumbled at my waistband, and tears blurred my vision as panic took over.

I kicked harder, screamed against his palm, but the sound barely made it past his grip. My free hand clawed at his face, nails digging into his skin.

"Bitch!" he hissed, slapping me so hard my head snapped to the side.

My cheek burned, and his grip tightened painfully.

"Asher, what the fuck?!" A sharp voice cut through the moment.

Before I could process what was happening, Asher was shoved off me. I gasped, scrambling to my feet, my breath ragged.

I looked up, stunned to see Ashley—Asher's twin—standing between us, her face twisted in rage.

"The fuck is wrong with you?!" she shouted at him.

Asher groaned from the ground, rubbing his jaw where she'd hit him. "What? Just having a little fun with the heiress." He grinned like it was a joke.

I glared at him, too shaken to say anything.

Ashley turned to me, her expression softening. "Are you okay?"

I nodded stiffly, still catching my breath.

Ashley scoffed and spun back to her brother. "You're such a disgusting piece of shit. Do you have any idea how many restraining orders Mom's had to deal with because of you?"

"Oh, shut up, Ashley." Asher rolled his eyes. "It was just a bit of fun. Heiress didn't mind, did you, sweetheart?" He smirked at me.

I said nothing. Just stared at him, disgusted.

He sighed dramatically, like we were all overreacting. "Besides, I was doing the family a favor. Once I was done, I'd have killed her and buried her where no one would find her." He shot Ashley a look. "Well, now that you're here, burying the body wouldn't be too hard."

My blood ran cold.

I turned to Ashley, my heart hammering, but she didn't look surprised. Just... irritated.

"You're insane," she muttered. "And definitely high. Come on, Astrid." She grabbed my wrist and started pulling me away.

Asher just stood there, watching us walk off.

The silence on the way back to the house was heavy. I didn't know what to say. I didn't know if Ashley was any better than him.

When we reached the front doors, she finally spoke. "Sorry about Asher. Grandad always said he was sick in the head. He wasn't wrong."

I didn't answer.

Ashley glanced at me. "You should put some ice on your face."

That's when I touched my cheek, wincing at the sting. He'd hit me harder than I thought.

"Thanks," I muttered. "And… thanks for saving me."

Ashley waved a hand. "That was nothing. Rescuing people from my brother is practically a full-time job."

She turned to leave, but I stopped her. "Wait."

She raised a brow.

"What he said back there… about doing the family a favor by killing me. Why didn't you agree with him?"

Ashley exhaled, tilting her head like she was considering her words. Then she shrugged. "Because I'm not stupid. And I don't want to kill you. I want to be rich again. Have my inheritance. But murder?" She shook her head. "That's not my thing."

With that, she walked away, disappearing into the house.

I stood there for a long moment, exhaling shakily.

What a fucking day.

*****

I stepped inside the house, my body still shaking. My legs felt weak, my skin burned where Asher had touched me, and my face throbbed from where he'd hit me.

I didn't belong in this world. Not really. Not when things like this kept happening to me.

I barely made it past the door when I heard his voice.

"Astrid."

Cole.

I turned, heart lurching in my chest. He was standing at the base of the staircase, arms crossed, his sharp gaze cutting straight through me.

"Where did you go?" he asked with a frown.

I opened my mouth to answer, but before I could, his eyes landed on my face. Then lower, to my wrists.

The bruises.

His entire expression shifted.

His jaw clenched. His nostrils flared.

His whole body stiffened, and when he spoke again, his voice was pure, controlled rage.

"Who the fuck did this to you?"

I swallowed hard. My throat was raw, like I'd been screaming for hours.

I didn't answer.

"Astrid." His voice was thick with warning now. Sharp. Dangerous.

I shook my head, stepping back. I couldn't say it. Not yet. Because the way he looked right now… I wasn't sure what he would do. His hands had curled into fists, his breathing was heavy, and his eyes—his eyes were darker than I'd ever seen them.

He looked like he was ready to kill.

Cole stepped closer. "Tell me who did this."

I bit my lip, my breath shaky.

"Astrid." His voice was low, rough, edged with something dangerous. "Who. Did. This?" he repeated.

I took another step back, shaking my head.

His fingers twitched, like he wanted to grab me but was holding himself back.

"Astrid," Cole said again, but this time, something in his voice changed.

Less rage. More concern.

He took another step forward. My stomach twisted. I wanted to keep backing away, but my body was betraying me. I felt my lip tremble.

Cole's gaze softened—just slightly. His fingers reached up, hesitating before brushing against my wrist, barely touching the bruises.

I flinched.

He cursed under his breath.

And then, before I could react, his hands moved to my face.

Gently, carefully, like I might break apart under his touch.

His palms cupped my cheeks, thumbs ghosting over my skin, over the painful mark Asher had left.

I shuddered, my breath catching in my throat.

"Astrid," he murmured, voice almost tender now. His thumbs brushed against my skin again, but this time, I didn't flinch. "Who did this to you?"

I didn't want to say it.

Because once I did, everything would change.

Because Cole wasn't just mad. He was barely keeping himself together. His fingers were shaking against my skin.

I could hear Asher's voice in my head.

"I was doing the family a favor."

I squeezed my eyes shut, a shuddered breath slipping past my lips.

Cole's fingers tightened on my face—not hurting me, but steadying me. His touch was warm. Firm.

I couldn't keep it in anymore.

"It was Asher," I whispered.

The moment the words left my lips, something in Cole snapped.