Ashes Between Us

A New Step

AT THE HOSPITAL

“Get me a bottle of water, now!”

Parker barked orders like he owned the place. He lay sprawled on the hospital bed, his hand wrapped in thick bandages. His voice rang through the ward—loud, nasal, and grating. Nurses exchanged weary looks. Patients whispered and gossiped. His presence was nothing but a nuisance, a spoiled young man who turned even a hospital into his stage.

Savannah sat beside his bed, one leg crossed over the other, calmly smoking a cigarette as though the rules did not apply to her.

“Excuse me, ma’am, you can’t do that here,” a nurse said gently, trying not to provoke.

Savannah ignored her, taking a long drag before exhaling smoke straight into the nurse’s face.

“Get out of my sight! Do you know who I am?” she snapped, her tone sharp enough to cut.

The nurse flinched, muttered under her breath, and quickly walked away. Around the ward, other patients coughed, their faces twisted in annoyance.

Just then, Audrey rushed into the ward, her heels clicking sharply against the tiled floor. Her chest rose and fell—heavy and slow from running across the parking lot. Barry followed close behind, hands tucked casually into his pockets, a sly grin tugging at his lips. The moment they appeared, the atmosphere shifted. Conversations broke into hushed murmurs.

“Is that Audrey Valentine?”

“She’s the head of ZERO Corp.”

“I heard her husband killed a man…”

The voices echoed in the background, but Audrey paid them no mind. All she cared about was her family’s wellbeing. Her gaze dropped immediately to her younger brother.

“Parker, are you okay?” she asked, rushing to his side. She leaned close, reaching for his face, checking for bruises or cuts.

“Get off me, Audrey,” he snapped, batting her hands away.

No respect—yet Audrey let it slide. Right now, his health mattered more than his rudeness.

“You seem fine,” she muttered, though her voice carried doubt.

Her eyes fell to his casted arm, the thick white plaster that bound his injury. Rage bubbled up inside her chest, her teeth grinding. How could Levi do this?

She turned toward her mother, who had stubbed out the cigarette but looked as calm as ever, almost as if she had been waiting for this moment.

“Mom, tell me what happened,” Audrey demanded.

Savannah let off an exaggerated sigh, then began her story.

“Your brother and I went to the Faraday Hotel to wait for the event tonight. We were just resting when we ran into Levi. He was with another woman—young, well-dressed. We thought we could greet him and ask how he was out early, but he responded with hostility. He and the woman had guards beat us and forcefully remove us from the premises.”

Her voice trembled in all the right places. Crocodile tears slid down her cheeks, falling like carefully staged evidence. She paused, holding her side as though she were in pain.

Audrey’s resolve crumbled. She moved closer and took Savannah’s hands, squeezing them tight.

“It’s okay, Mother,” she whispered.

Savannah wiped her cheeks, and just like that, the sorrow snapped into rage.

“I was humiliated. Your brother was humiliated. The Valentine name was humiliated. It won’t stand.” She jabbed a finger at Parker’s arm. “Look at your brother’s arm. That man hurt him.”

Audrey bit her lip so hard it almost drew blood. Her fingers curled into fists until her knuckles went white.

Just then, Barry stepped forward, finally making his presence known.

“Brother-in-law!” Parker shouted, his voice full of misplaced excitement.

Audrey turned, her gaze snapping to Barry. Normally she would have corrected her brother’s choice of words, but tonight she didn’t have the strength. She let it pass, focusing instead on her mother. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

“I’ll get to the bottom of this, Mother. I’ll make sure Levi pays for ever laying a finger on my family.”

Savannah nodded, a proud smile curving her lips.

“Thank you, my darling daughter.”

Mother and daughter embraced. Parker leaned back, a sly grin tugging at his mouth. His eyes gleamed with something darker, something manipulative. Barry caught the expression, and his stomach turned. Yet he said nothing. He needed this family. He needed their name.

Savannah’s mind worked quickly. She turned to Barry, her eyes narrowing as an idea sparked.

“Barry,” she called, beckoning him closer as she released Audrey. She grabbed his hand, then Audrey’s, pressing them together with a smile that dripped with calculation.

“Protect my daughter. Let your partnership not end in business.”

Barry smiled, his heart pounding. Everything was falling into place. The family loved him already, and soon Audrey would too.

But Audrey quickly pulled her hand away, glaring at her mother before standing up.

“I’ll stay here with you until you’re discharged,” she said flatly.

Parker and Savannah exchanged a look, then spoke in unison.

“No!”

Audrey’s brows furrowed.

“What?”

Savannah masked her panic with practiced grace.

“My darling daughter, this event is important to you and the company. The greatest minds and wealthiest pockets will gather there. It’s the perfect chance to mingle and build connections. Besides, Barry will be with you. It wouldn’t be fair to keep him here.”

Her eyes flicked to Barry, signaling him to back her up. Barry hesitated, his stomach churning at her manipulation, but finally he forced his voice smooth.

“I’d be fine skipping the event,” Audrey muttered under her breath.

Barry stepped forward, playing his part.

“But like your mother said, this event is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The partnership can be announced tonight, and we could secure some massive backers.”

Audrey stared at all three of them for a long, silent moment. She wasn’t in the mood for smiles, handshakes, or parties. But they weren’t wrong. And besides—there was one person she needed to meet tonight. This might be her only chance.

Her shoulders sank as she exhaled, giving in.

“Very well. I’ll go to the event.”

Savannah smiled, satisfied. Parker smirked. Barry kept his mask in place.

MEANWHILE, AT FARADAY HOTEL

Levi sat in silence, a small black flash drive resting in his palm. The room was dim, the curtains drawn, the only light coming from the faint glow of the television screen that he hadn’t bothered to switch on. He stared at the blank monitor on his desk, deep in thought, rolling the flash drive between his fingers.

He had just reviewed the mission. Weapons were being smuggled out of the city through underground networks and black-market dealers. Normally, such activity wouldn’t fall under his jurisdiction. But these weren’t ordinary weapons. These were Zero-made. That alone demanded his attention.

Levi leaned back, the chair creaking beneath him. His expression hardened as the realization settled in. Now I understand why Roland chose me.

He tossed the flash drive into the air, caught it with a snap, and hissed under his breath. His jaw tightened. His mind replayed the moment at the Faraday lobby—Savannah, Parker, the lies that would no doubt follow.

Just then, a knock came at his door.

“Levi! Are you ready?”