Just as we got back from the trip and were leaving the train station, we saw a crowd gathered ahead. Curious, we went to take a look and saw a man harassing a young woman. As I was about to pull Ashley through the crowd, the girl turned her head and locked eyes with me.
My heart skipped a beat. It was Shelly. What was she doing here?
Panic surged through me. She was supposed to be married. Why was she out here just days after her wedding? What was going on?
The pain of being pushed down the stairs in my past life came rushing back, along with the memory of her triumphant smile. I was on the verge of breaking down, but I forced myself to stay calm. I grabbed Ashley’s hand, trying to leave.
Suddenly, Shelly broke free from the man and ran towards us, shouting, "Ashley, help me! I don’t know this man!"
All eyes were on us.
Ashley, always concerned about appearances and with a soft heart, couldn’t ignore her. Shelly’s tears made him insist on taking her home with us.
When I refused, he argued with me. "She has nowhere else to go. She’s just a young girl in trouble. How can you be so heartless?"