Ashley's POV

I realised how it feels to witness light after extreme darkness today when I saw David. He was worried which meant he knew the real reason why we were here. His eyes kept searching something, like examining me. Even though I understood why he was so worried, it broke my heart that I'm responsible for him being so dishevelled. I never wanted this. I never wanted to put him through this.

I always thought why am I here? I've never had a purpose to live for years still I survived but why? After years of asking this question I finally have an answer. I'm here because I haven't experienced the beauty of life yet. I've been through the hardships and now it is time to see and feel what happiness looks like. I've survived through everything so that I know what actually love means.

David kept his hand on thigh and that simple gesture was enough to know that he's there with me. I was taking him to our old house. I've the keys, I always have the keys thinking some day I'll be strong enough to walk through doors again, pack my things and sell that house. I don't know what will happen next but I do know that if I don't do this now, I never will.

We stood in front of our old house, where I used to live when I was married. We stepped in, I disabled the security code, surprisingly it still worked. I haven't been here in over five years. I used to send someone to clean up in the past but no one has been here in a year or so.

There were pictures of us. They were covered in dust but you could still see the big smile of mine. Our wedding picture, anniversary picture, dates pictures. Aaron loved displaying them. It was all a part of his act. He liked thinking we were happy.

David picked up one of the frames and wiped it to see the actual picture.

"It was a chinese restaurant. We went there on our third date. They take your picture, you write some message and something like that. Horrible food though. Aaron loved that picture so he brought it with him." I explained. It wasn't easy but it was a start.

"How long were you married?" It was the first question he has asked since we left the prison.

"Three years. We dated for six months before getting married."

"That was fast" he snorted. I knew it wasn't a pleasant conversation.

"I met him right after business school. I was interning at this company and he called to ask for money. He was a campaign manager at that time. We ended up talking for an hour and at the end he asked me out on a date. He was incredibly charming and I was young. I believed in meet cute, romance of life, all of that he knew how to take advantage of. He said the right things, he did the right things. He was complete gentleman and I was head over heels. He convinced me to marry him in such a short time. My parents didn't approve the decision. They thought I was too young to think about settling down but I didn't care. I was literally blinded by love. We got married and everything was fine, more than fine. I couldn't see the pattern until it was too late and I was too deep in. You don't know you're marrying a sociopath if he is that great at acting."

David didn't say anything for a while. He kept staring at that picture. I cleared my throat which caught his attention. "Uh.. when did.. he.. you know started to.." he trailed. He didn't know how to ask that question. I wouldn't know either. It isn't a general conversation.

"It was not the hitting. It's more.. he is narcissist who enjoys control. He controlled me throughout our relationship and I didn't even realise until it was too late. He was working for the senator by then. He had a lot of pull, knew alot of people. That was extreme power grab he could ever ask for. It also made him feel he was invincible or something. I was up for a major promotion when he got me fired from my job. I had no idea, I was so distraught that I lost my job and he was there, comfort me, make me need him, control where I go, when I go. He didn't started hitting me in the start. He manipulated me for years before I realised what was happening and once I realised I wasn't going to sit quietly, that's when he resort to hitting. The first time he raised his hand, he couldn't hit me. It wasn't like him. He felt guilty for even thinking about it and I fell for that." I picked up a spoon that had fallen down. "I should've left then and there but I didn't. I made a choice to stay and it was the worst choice I've ever made. I gave him a chance because I loved him and that was my undoing. I keep giving him chances thinking he would change but he didn't. He started feeling less guilty and more powerful. He started enjoying it. I tried to file a complaint but got it withdrawn. He knew alot of people. I couldn't go to my parents. I was so ashamed. I made a conscious decision to stay with an abuser, how do you explain that to your parents? So I did the one thing that guaranteed my destruction, I accepted that it was my new reality. I stopped visiting my parents, days went by and I didn't see Liam or Jenny. Some days were better. We had some normal days, I cherished those until I couldn't I take it anymore. I couldn't live like that. Praying every day to be a normal day. I couldn't face myself. I was disgusted. It wasn't me anymore. I couldn't file a complaint without him knowing about him so I decided to file another complain that would guarantee his arrest. I knew he was siphoning money, I just needed proof. I got some evidence, I called Liam, told him everything and we went straight to the police station and filled a complain. He was charged after that for money laundering and domestic assault."

"He took pieces of me, very little to notice. He wanted me to be someone who I wasn't and I was stupid enough to fall for that." I scoffed. "Before you came into my life I was lost and ignorant to everything. Honestly you've made me a better person, a person I never thought I could be. I can't thank enough."

"I love you" he blurted it out.

I kept looking at him, waiting for him to say he didn't mean it but nothing happened. We just stood there in silence. None of us had any idea what to say next.

I didn't even know if he actually meant it or said it out of pity for me. I don't want sympathy I love you.

"You realise you just said.." I trailed

"I love you. Yeah. I wasn't expecting silence."

"Do you mean it?"

"Why wouldn't I mean it?"

"Because.. I don't know.. maybe you for you've to say something meaningful after my sob story to make me feel better. I don't want pity."

"It's not pity. I'm upset, yes but I'm not saying it out of pity. I said it because I wanted to, for a really long time now and I can't wait. I don't know what is going to happen next. I'm still processing but do know that I want you to be aware that I love you and that I'm sorry that you've to go through all of that. You don't deserve, nobody does."

My heart clenched in joy and I wanted to say so much but couldn't get words out my mouth. I was overwhelmed.

"What happens next?" He asked

"You tell me"

"Is he going to get out"

I shrugged "I honestly don't know. My lawyer said that the interview tape can convince the parole board but it is not definite. If he does come out, he himself signed a restraining order so there's the safety if you are worried."

"I'm worried for you." He said timidly

"You'll always be worried. I understand that. It is not something you can just let go and be alright but you've to know, I can't move forward if I'm constantly thinking about him or what he's going to do. I've to think ahead and know I'll be okay. I just want to have a life with you without my past overshadowing us."

He smiled. I know it isn't easy but his smile was some reassurance.

"Let's get you home" he said and I nodded.

I walked out of that house with hope that some day I'll be able to have enough courage to sell this house until then I've a great guy and a future waiting for me.

He helped me sit on the bed. He came with a glass of water and made me drink.

"What do you want to eat?" He asked.

"Nothing. I'm not hungry"

"But you haven't ate anything since morning"

"I'm fine, trust me" I assured him.

"You should rest." He smiled and gave me a perk on forehead. "I'll leave"

He turned to leave. I got up and hugged him from behind. I didn't want him to go without knowing how much I love him.

"Don't go.." I whispered

He turned towards me "Ashley bu-"

"You can't go without knowing how much you mean to me. I'm sorry I couldn't say anything back then and you must be feeling rejected. I was overwhelmed and didn't know how to express it to you. I love you David" and hugged him "Will you spend the night with me?" I whispered

Hr pulled away "Are you sure? We don't have to. I mean not because I don't wa-"

I put my finger on his lips and tiptoed to whispered into his ear "You speak too much. I'm sure" I heard him take a sharp breath.

He took me into his arms and gently placed me on the bed. He leaned in and placed his lips on mine. First it was slow but sooner he increased the pace. I placed my hand on the nape of his neck and held me. He gently slide his hand and kept it on my waist. The fireworks won't stop bursting in my head. His kisses make me insane. These are the kisses we read in books about. The ones that totally make you wind and crazy. I opened my mouth and kissed him back. Soon it became intense and more passionate. The way he kissed me showed how honest his feelings are for me. It was something I'm in awe with. These emotions can't be expressed in words, can only be felt. It was all a fairy tale for me. The dreams which I left long ago are finally getting fulfil. He consumes me so much, in a good way that I can't ask for any more.

He pulled away and kept looking into my eyes. I know he wants my permission. He doesn't want to rush into anything, he doesn't want me to regret in the morning.

I moved forward and kissed him softly. He slowing joined the rhythm and our lips started moving in sync. Before pulling away, I bite his lips and he groaned. I gave him the assurance he wanted. His lips kissed every inch of my face. He ran finger through my scar, behind my ear and softly placed his lips on it. I closed my eyes and a tear slipped, he held me and that very moment I realised that I've no more doubts about David.

He removes his shirt and throws it away and I can't help but gawk at his perfectly toned body. His broad shoulders, perfect chest made him much more desirable. He is drop dead gorgeous. In no time he removed my top and I immediately felt shy of my body. I covered by body with both my hands. I still have scars and they're too ugly to be shown. I don't have a flawless skin like all other girls and my insecurities started creeping in.

He removed my hands and said "I haven't seen any perfect person. I've seen flawed persons with great hearts, you're one of them. You don't have to be ashamed of yourself. I love every inch of you.."

His lips put my body on fire. He started tasting my jawline, moving down to my neck, making me go insane. He ran his finger through my collarbone to down to my breast, which were barely covered by bra. He look up for permission, and all I do is give me a nod. He removed my bra, and took a sharp breath. I could feel his erection, I wanted to touch it but I'm such a pussy.

He caressed my breast with his hands and I could feel my nipples hardened. I desperately wanted him to kiss them, suck them. I yearned for it. I think he understood my feeling and placed his lips on my right breast. He first kissed it softly, then started sucking it. He started pinching and tugging, it felt amazing. My entire body was on fire, I pressed my body to his chest and felt his erection even more. He gave full attention to my breast as he played, sucked and bite them giving me a whole new feeling of excitement.

"Beautiful. You're so beautiful.."

His kisses made me weak on my knees and I melted in his arms everytime he kissed me. He was doing wonderful things to me and I couldn't feel more luckier.

He reached down to unzip my pants and again looked at me for permission. I nodded and gave him the assurance. He undid my pants and stopped in middle.

I didn't know what happened all of sudden. I got tensed thinking that I might have done something wrong.

I reached out his hand "What happened?" Asked softly

"Condom.."

"Huh?"

"I don't have a condom. I didn't know we would end up like this" he said scratching his head.

I smiled "Don't worry. I'm on pills"

"Sure?"

"Yes sure.!"

He nodded and returned doing what he was doing. He undid his pants and I gasped looking at his size. He was big and I became more nervous as I haven't had sex since ages.

He sensed my nervousness and leaned in to kiss me. His kiss was sweet, and somehow it took away my nervousness. He kept exploring my body. There wasn't a single scar which he didn't kiss. He worshipped my body. Somewhere in between he pressed himself against me. At first I felt the pain but David slowed down. The next I know I was breathing hard and shouting his name. The feeling of making love with him was no less than bliss. Every touch of his ignited the fire inside me and I wanted him more.

After our blissful love making session, we cuddled up. He discovered every inch of my body which was unloved and made love to it.Sometimes we think that we'll never get over our bad times. We don't trust ourselves enough to believe that time will heal. But sooner or later, those bad memories don't hurt you anymore. You start making good memories again, forgetting the past.

No matter how much time it took me to understand that I can be happy, atleast I got to know. Even though I lost all my hopes still somehow, happiness found me.

Maybe I was always reaching for someone like David. Someone who doesn't always have to always express himself with words. He's just there and it feels enough. He respects the flawed me, and understands my soul. He isn't intimidated by my personality rather he's proud of what I am. He just simply gets me and that is important.

You come across a certain person you never thought you would and surprising everything changes. Your life becomes more brighter and happier. You become a whole new person, and everything seems better. That's when you know that person is whom you were searching for. When I first time saw David at the park, a carefree boy who was least concern with his surrounding. The boy who first notice my bruise and wanted to help me, is today healing my scars.

"You can stop staring. I'm all yours, baby" David smirked at me.

"Huh?!" I frowned

"I know I'm admirable and my body is die for but you don't have to keep all your eyes on me all the time. You know I'm yours."

"Oh god! Jerk!" I released myself and took another position.

He shifted his face towards me "Why aren't you sleeping?"

I shrugged "Just like that"

He crawled close to me "Are you sore?"

"Yeah but not much"

He got up immediately "Come" and pulled me

"Where, David?"

"A hot bath will make you feel better. No soreness at all"

"Ohh..." I acted as if I was thinking "if we're having a hot bath, how about round two?"

He came close to me "You're such a trouble for me" he said in a husk tone.

I pulled him closer "You talk too much" I said and kissed him.

He blend into my kiss and again it was all bliss. Complete bliss!