Chapter 29: Not Again

"I refuse," I say, but my voice has no bite or fight, and my fingers are shaking. Not right now. Not when Ryan and I have just begun something new. Not when Ash is finally getting used to him being around. Not when he has his father with him. I can't do that to Ash. I can't do that to Ryan. Not again. He makes a small sound in his throat and pulls out his phone from his pocket and his thumbs fly for a moment before he presses it against his ear. My heart plummets when he says, "Jasper Holden speaking. I need you to file a case—" "Okay! Okay!" I scream, tears filling my eyes. "Stop. Just...stop." His brows rise and he puts the phone away from his ear. I can hear the man on the other end saying, "Mr Holden? Hello?" He places the phone on the counter and leans forward, holding my gaze. "I'm not fucking playing with you, Amber. You leave Ryan, tomorrow. Stowe. Vermont. Do not think for a second that telling him will change anything," he pauses as if reading my thoughts. "Because i