They didn't speak for a long while.
Their steps echoed against the pavement, their shadows stretching under the dull glow of streetlights. The city had resumed around them—cars passing, strangers laughing in the distance, someone playing music from a balcony—but it all felt far away, like background noise to a moment that hadn't quite ended yet.
Jenny sniffled, wiping at her eyes again.
"Sorry," she whispered.
Ashton glanced at her, still holding her hand. "For what?"
"For him. For tonight. For lying to my dad, for dragging you into this, for pretending like I could keep my world separate from yours."
He stopped walking.
She stopped too, still not looking up at him.
"Jenny," he said gently, "you don't have to be sorry for someone else's behaviour."
She finally looked at him—her eyes glassy, a tear clinging to her lashes.
"But I should've warned you. Kade's not just angry. He's—he's dangerous. You don't know what he's capable of."
"I saw enough," Ashton said, softly but firmly. "And I still didn't back down."
Her lips trembled again, but this time it wasn't just fear—it was guilt. "I hate that you had to see that part of my life. I always wanted you to see the normal me. Not the one tied to a family name people whisper about."
Ashton stepped closer, placing his hands gently on her arms. "Jenny… I'm not here for the version of you you think I want. I'm here for you."
Her eyes filled again, but this time she let out a shaky laugh through it. "You're going to get yourself hurt."
"I've been hurt before," Ashton said, a half-smile tugging at his bruised cheek. "But tonight? I'd do it again. And I'll do it again tomorrow if it means walking beside you."
For a second, she just stared at him.
Then, without a word, she wrapped her arms around him and buried her face into his chest. He held her there, steady, as the night wrapped around them like a blanket—quiet and protective.
He could feel her breath slow against him.
"I think he's going to tell my dad," she mumbled.
"I figured."
"Then what?"
Ashton exhaled. "Then we deal with that too."
Jenny pulled back just enough to look at him. "Why are you so calm about this?"
"Because if I let fear lead," Ashton said, "I wouldn't be me. I'm not scared of anyone."
"Ashton…" she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "You don't know my dad.
How do you think Kade gets away with everything he does? The violence, the threats, all of it. My father has connections—real ones. With people you don't want to cross. Dangerous people. The kind that don't need laws to ruin someone."
Ashton held her gaze. Calm. Steady.
"I figured as much."
Jenny stared at him, a little shaken by how casually he said it. "You figured? Ashton, this isn't some schoolyard drama. This is the kind of stuff that gets people disappeared."
"You think I'm not worried? Not tense right now?" he said, his voice soft but firm.
She looked at him, confused.
"Ash…"
"Look Jenny…" he cups her cheeks "whatever happens to me is my responsibility. I chose you to be mine and I am ready to go through anything for that."
"You don't have to be Guilty, Jenny."
Tears welled in her eyes. She moved her hand over his. "You don't understand, Ashton… you could—you could get killed."
Ashton exhaled deeply "So what should I do next"?
"I don't know…maybe you should forget about me…"
"That's not happening." He turned, beginning to walk.
"Look, Ash.. you take it lightly because you are ignorant. I have seen my father's foes disappear and even police don't interfere. He can buy the government"
"Alright," Ashton said, glancing at the darkening sky. "Let's just go home for now. If you're any later, your father might send half the city looking for you."
"You are stupid.." she said, her tone tight with frustration.
"I know," Ashton said with a faint smile. "We'll part ways from here. And listen—if your father does anything, you tell me. No matter what."
Jenny looked down. "He wouldn't even yell at me… but you…"
"It's fine." Ashton said still not looking at her.
"I know you are worried about me…. But…"
"Let's just go home for now.. I am tired."
"Ash…" she whispered, her voice cracking.
He finally looked at her. Her eyes glistened, her brows drawn together in anguish. Her shoulders slumped—everything in her body screaming despair.
"Come here..." Ashton said raising his hands hugging her again tightly.
She wrapped her arms around and started crying. She was sobbing on his chest. Ashton held her head close to his chest as she sobbed. "It's okay… I am with you." he said slowly.
'She's been through a lot …I can see it in her eyes.. she don't want to hate her father…. She's in love with me and her brother who might kill me…. It must be very heartbreaking seeing two loved ones fight.'
After a long moment, she pulled away slightly, wiping her tears and covering her face with both hands.
"Alright," Ashton said, softly teasing, "stop crying like a kid. Your makeup's gonna wash off."
Jenny sniffled, laughing through her tears, hitting his shoulder lightly. "Shut up."
He smiled faintly. "See? There's that smile. I missed it."
"I'm a mess," she muttered, trying to fix her hair and smudged mascara.
"You're beautiful," Ashton said, deadpan.
She blinked up at him. "Even now?"
"Especially now."
She rolled her eyes, but her cheeks turned a soft shade of red.
They stood there for a few more seconds before she asked, "Promise me you'll be careful?"
"I promise I'll try," Ashton said with a wink.
"That's not good enough."
He took her hand, firm and reassuring. "It's all I can give. But I'll always come back to you."
She nodded, squeezing his hand. "Okay."
Then, with a hesitant breath, she added, "And remember one thing, Ash… no matter what happens—don't fight Kade. If he comes after you… just take it. Don't hit back. Don't provoke him."