Now, a year later, they were something resembling a normal family. They ate breakfast together, shared the occasional movie night, and even argued about trivial things like her late-night tendencies or his dated fashion sense.
Ashley was grateful that her father was here for all the pain Josh's absence had caused. She didn't know how she would've managed without him. He had been her rock when she had no one else, and in a way, their newfound connection made her feel stronger than she had in years.
As Ashley stepped into the bathroom, the same thought echoed in her mind, like a drumbeat that wouldn't fade: Never again. I will never forgive him.
Josh's betrayal stung more with each passing day. How could he just leave her behind like that? How could he make all those promises and walk away without a second thought? The anger and hurt had festered in her heart for so long, but today, it felt sharper than ever.
