Save Myself From Desperation novel Chapter 1

"Ashley, apologize to Jessica right now!"

The man's cold and harsh voice echoed in the spacious living room.

Ashley Ramos stood in the center, her long eyelashes slightly lowered. She pinched the recording device hidden in her pocket and looked at the man sitting on the sofa while ordering her rudely. He was Jeremy Ramos, her third elder brother.

Seated next to Jeremy was the supposed pseudo-heiress of the Ramos family, Jessica Ramos, who had no blood relation whatsoever.

And now, Ashley's own brother was demanding that she apologize to Jessica.

"Ashley, you intentionally pushed Jessica down the stairs. How can you be so malicious? You're even worse than a beast!" Jeremy scolded.

"You don't deserve to be my sister!"

Ashley felt a pang of sorrow.

Her eyelashes trembled as she suppressed the stifling pain deep in her heart and murmured, "I didn't..."

However, before Ashley could say anything else, Jeremy grabbed a nearby glass and fiercely threw it at her.

"How dare you quibble!" Jeremy roared.

With a loud crash, the cup struck Ashley's instep and shattered into pieces.

Ashley's delicate foot instantly swelled up.

The broken glass shards pierced her skin, scratching her slender calf. Tiny red threads of blood emerged on her smooth skin, looking quite terrifying.

Yet, Ashley stood motionless as if she couldn't feel the pain.

This wasn't the first time her own brother had beaten and scolded her like this.

"Jeremy, please, no more hitting," Jessica implored, anxiety in her voice. "Ashley didn't intentionally push me down the stairs. It's not her fault, really! Don't blame her. It was my own clumsiness..."

Jeremy suddenly softened, concern etched on his face. "Jessica, why do you keep defending her? My dear little sister, have you ever considered how terrible it would be if you were left with scars from falling down the stairs?"

"But, Jeremy..." Jessica still pretended to plead.

"Alright, Jessica, be a good girl. Stop defending her! Let me check if you got hurt," Jeremy said.

"I'm fine, Jeremy. Don't worry..."

While watching this display of sibling love, Ashley felt an unexpected wave of weariness.

Jeremy was protective of Jessica because she was a girl, and scars wouldn't be becoming on her.

However, he had shown no hesitation when hurling a cup towards Ashley just moments ago.

Her legs now bore numerous wounds from the shattered glass, and blood continued to trickle down. Apparently, Ashley would be left with scars too.

She was also a girl, more significantly, Jeremy's own sister!

Ashley had been abandoned since childhood. She grew up in an orphanage and was later adopted by her grandparents.

She had also been pampered and had never faced such treatment before!

After Jeremy concluded his attention on Jessica, he noticed Ashley's delicate features now adorned with a subtle sneer. His displeasure deepened. "What's with that look on your face?

"Ashley, when we brought you home two years ago, we made it very clear. Jessica grew up in our family. Even though she isn't blood-related, you should treat her as your own sister!

"As her older sister, you should pamper her and protect her!

"But what have you done in these two years?"

At his words, a bitter smile graced Ashley's lips.

Two years ago, when the Ramos family found her, her grandparents had already passed away. She thought she had finally found a family and didn't need to face the world alone. So, she rejected the invitation from her grandfather's friend, Zain Kingsley, and chose to return to the Ramos family.

In these two years, Ashley had been cautious and accommodating in every aspect.

Regardless of what it was, she always gave the best to Jessica.

Ashley was more like Jessica's humble follower, adapting herself to anything that Jessica disdained to make a living.

She thought that by doing this, she could gradually integrate into the family. Her parents and five brothers would accept her and consider her one of them.