Ashley POV

At the same time, I stood up and stepped away from him, offering a hand. "Get up," I said, my voice somehow managing to break through without faltering in the slightest. "The floor is dirty."

Jayden seemed to hesitate for a moment before he pocketed his phone, took my hand, and stood up. "Like there are dust particles everywhere. How often do you get someone to clean this place?"

To my relief, he sounded normal and smiled even though I felt as if there was an open wound in my chest. "Twice a week when it's just me, twice a week if dad's home, and every day if...