Archive of Our Own ^beta

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Ash Ember has always lived in the shadows, distant from the father she never knew—until the past catches up with her. At fourteen, she’s thrust into a chaotic world of martial arts, family secrets, and power struggles when she’s introduced to Terry Silver, the Cobra Kai mastermind who turns out to be her estranged father. With a complicated mix of resentment and curiosity, Ash begins her journey, determined to forge her own path while wrestling with the demons of her past.

    As Ash forms new relationships—both in and out of the dojo—she discovers the impact of Terry's influence on her own identity, her fighting style, and the way she sees the world. But with her fractured family, emotional scars, and the looming legacy of her father, Ash must decide whether she’ll continue down a dangerous path of manipulation and revenge or find her own way to fight for something better.

    Amidst the chaotic power struggles of her father’s world, Ash must confront the burning question: can she forge her own identity, or will she be consumed by the fire that has shaped her family for decades?

I do not own Cobra Kai or any of their characters.

This is an AU.

My take on why Terrance Silver went crazy from the end of s4 to the big boom that was s6.

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Chapter One: A Not So Familiar, Familiar Face

Ash had never felt like she truly belonged in Miyagi-Do, even after the time she spent training there. The discipline was nice, the atmosphere was peaceful, but something about it never fully clicked. That’s when she found Eagle Fang, a dojo that felt more like a fit for her, where the energy was just a little more chaotic and her fighting style could thrive.

It was a Saturday afternoon when Ash found herself at the mall with Donna, her mother,  just trying to get away from everything for a while. The conversation with her mom had been quiet for the most part, the usual small talk that didn't stray into anything too personal.

But today, things were about to change.

As they walked through the food court, Donna stopped short, her gaze locking on someone in the crowd. Ash turned to follow her mother’s eyes, and her breath caught in her throat.

There, standing like he owned the place, was Terry Silver, his presence commanding the attention of everyone around him. And right next to him? John Kreese.

Donna’s face went a little pale as she saw them. “Terry…” she murmured under her breath.

Terry’s eyes scanned the area until they landed on Ash’s mother. He smiled and walked over, his movements smooth, almost predatory in their confidence. His voice was warm as he greeted her, though there was something in his eyes—a flicker of recognition. “Well, well. It's been a long time. How have you been?”

Donna stiffened, but she returned the smile, though there was a tightness to it. “I’ve been... fine, Terry. It’s been years.”

Kreese stepped up behind Terry, his sharp gaze focused on Ash. He studied her for a moment, narrowing his eyes before looking back at Terry. “She looks just like you,” he muttered, barely loud enough for Ash to hear.

Terry’s smile faltered slightly, and he turned to look at Ash. She was standing there, still, arms crossed, her cold blue eyes locked on his. Something about the way she carried herself seemed familiar to him, though he couldn’t place why. He hadn’t known Ash existed—hell, he didn’t even know her mother had a child, but now that he was seeing her, there was an odd sense of deja vu.

“Is this your daughter?” Terry asked, voice softer, but there was a hint of genuine curiosity now. His eyes lingered on Ash, taking in her height, her defiant posture, hands hooked against her belt resting, and her sharp gaze that seemed to mirror his own.

Donna hesitated before answering. “Yes. This is Ash.”

Ash looked up at her mom, a silent question in her eyes, but her mother didn’t respond. Instead, Terry smiled again, this time with a little more warmth, though it was tinged with something else—something Ash couldn’t quite place.

Before she could think much more on it, she felt her stomach drop as she saw the surprise flash across Terry’s face. Ash knew that look. It was the look of someone who’d just been hit with a sudden realization.

Just then, Ash stepped forward, her gaze hard and unwavering as she said, “You must be Terry Silver.” Her voice was icy, matching the tone in her eyes. “I’ve heard about you.”

Terry’s smile faltered. There was a flash of something unreadable in his eyes before he quickly composed himself. “And you must be Ash,” he said, his voice low but oddly affectionate. “I didn’t know you existed. But now that I see you, I can tell... I see a lot of myself in you.”

Ash clenched her jaw but said nothing. She had no intention of letting him get too close. Terry Silver might be a name everyone knew, but he didn’t know her, not really. Her mother’s silence on her father and this whole situation was starting to weigh on her.

Kreese, who had been watching the exchange with great interest, finally spoke. “It’s clear, Terry. You’ve got a real connection here, whether you realize it or not.” He looked at Ash, his sharp gaze studying her every move. “She’s got your fire.”

Terry glanced at Kreese, but then his eyes moved back to Ash, lingering for just a moment too long. “I think we need to talk,” he said, his voice now more serious, but still with that underlying warmth.

Ash didn’t trust him. She had no idea what he wanted or what his game was, but something inside her, a deep-seated feeling, told her that this meeting wasn’t a coincidence. There was something about her mother’s reaction to Terry that made her uneasy, as though there was a story here that had never been told.

Just then, Donna spoke up again, her voice quiet, almost like a warning. “Terry, let’s go somewhere private.”

Terry smiled again, this time genuinely. “Of course.”

As they moved toward a more secluded area of the mall, Ash couldn’t shake the feeling that something big was about to unfold, and she was right in the middle of it.

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Chapter Two: Unspoken Tension

The small, upscale restaurant nestled in the corner of the mall was quiet, its atmosphere intimate, a stark contrast to the chaos of the food court they had just left. Ash, her mother Donna, Terry Silver, and John Kreese found themselves seated at a round table in the corner, away from prying eyes.

Ash’s eyes darted between the three adults, all of them seeming much more at ease than she felt. Donna, despite her calm exterior, was tense. Ash could feel it in the air, a heaviness that settled around them as the conversation began.

Terry sat back in his chair, his hands folded neatly in front of him. His smile was still present, though now it seemed a little more measured. “Donna, it’s been a long time, hasn’t it? I didn’t expect to run into you here today, let alone find out I have a daughter.”

Donna shifted uncomfortably, her gaze flicking to Ash before she quickly looked away. She adjusted her seat, her hands gripping the edge of the table. “I didn’t expect this either, Terry,” she said quietly, her voice cool but with an edge of something else. “But, like you said, it’s been a long time.”

Ash’s eyes narrowed at the tension between her mother and Terry. There was something unspoken between them, something old and buried deep. She could see it in Donna’s body language—the way her shoulders were stiff, the way she avoided eye contact with Terry.

Kreese, sensing the awkwardness in the air, decided to speak up. “I always knew something was off,” he said, his voice gravelly, like he was still piecing something together. “I saw it the first time I laid eyes on Ash. She’s got your fighting style, Terry. And her attitude... well, that’s all you, too.”

Ash’s stomach churned. She didn’t like how he was dissecting her like that, as if she were a puzzle he was trying to figure out. She folded her arms tightly over her chest, her eyes flashing with irritation.

Terry looked at Kreese with a raised brow but didn’t argue. Instead, he turned his attention back to Donna. “I always wondered if there was more to the story, Donna,” he said softly. “But I didn’t think...” He trailed off, then gave a small, almost rueful smile. “I didn’t think you’d keep her from me.”

Donna’s face darkened, and Ash could feel the sharpness in the air rise. “I didn’t keep her from you, Terry. You weren’t interested. You left. You chose to leave, and that was your decision.”

Terry’s expression flickered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. “I was... dealing with a lot, Donna. I didn’t think—”

“No,” Donna interrupted, her voice icy now, “you didn’t think at all. I did what I had to do to survive, and so did Ash. You weren’t there, Terry. And she didn’t need you.”

Ash’s heart pounded as her mother’s words cut through the air. The weight of what she was saying landed heavily on Ash’s chest. She’d never heard her mother speak to anyone like this, let alone Terry Silver. There was anger there, deep-rooted and raw.

Ash glanced at Terry, who was watching Donna intently. She could see the conflict in his eyes. But she saw the surprise in his eyes earlier, he didn't know about her. He was trying to stay calm, trying to maintain control of the situation, but Ash could tell this conversation was hitting closer to home than he wanted it to.

“Donna,” Terry said softly, his tone shifting, a bit more vulnerable now. “I didn’t want to hurt you. I never meant to... but I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t ready for any of it.”

Donna looked at him, her face hard but her eyes betraying a flicker of something else—something soft, something that wasn’t anger. For a moment, the walls between them cracked, but only for an instant before Donna quickly shut it down.

“I don’t want to hear your excuses, Terry. You made your choices.” She turned to Ash, her voice softer, though still tense. “You don’t have to listen to him. He’s not a part of your life. You’re better off without him.”

Ash’s heart raced. She felt like she was caught in the middle of a storm, torn between her mother’s coldness toward Terry and the strange warmth she felt from Terry himself, a warmth she hadn’t expected. Her mind was a whirlwind, and she wasn’t sure what to believe.

Terry finally turned to Ash, his gaze softening. “I understand why you might feel this way, Ash. You don’t know me. And I don’t know you. But I’d like to get to know you.” His voice was sincere, though Ash wasn’t sure if she trusted it.

She leaned back in her chair, keeping her arms crossed. “I don’t need you to get to know me, Terry. I’m fine without you.” Her voice was cold, more out of instinct than anything else. She wasn’t going to let him in that easily.

Donna’s eyes flicked to Ash, a subtle mix of pride and concern in her expression. It was clear she wanted to protect Ash from getting too involved with Terry, but Ash wasn’t a child anymore. She had her own mind, her own choices.

Kreese, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke again, his gravelly voice cutting through the silence. “Donna, Terry has a right to know his daughter. Whether you like it or not, this isn’t something you can keep buried forever.”

Donna’s face turned even colder at Kreese’s words. “Stay out of this, Kreese.”

Ash felt the walls closing in on her, the weight of the past pressing down on her shoulders. It felt like she was on the edge of something she wasn’t sure she wanted to face. But there was one thing she was certain of—she didn’t need Terry Silver to define who she was. She didn’t need him, and she wasn’t going to let him change that.

For the first time, Ash spoke with conviction, her voice unwavering. “I’m not here for any of this. I’m here for myself. So, whatever this is—” She gestured toward the three adults, “—you can figure it out. I’m done.”

With that, Ash stood up, the tension still hanging thick in the air as she walked away from the table, leaving behind the adults who were still caught up in their tangled past.

She didn’t look back.

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Chapter Three: A Familiar Reflection

After leaving the restaurant, Ash wandered through the mall, her mind racing. Her footsteps echoed in the near-empty hallway, the hum of the fluorescent lights above a dull accompaniment to her thoughts. She wasn’t sure where she was going—she just needed space. The meeting with Terry, Kreese, and her mom had left her feeling suffocated, a weight settling heavily on her chest.

She found herself outside near a small courtyard, a little garden surrounded by a few benches. Ash slumped down onto one, staring at the ground, her thoughts still spinning.

Suddenly, she felt a presence before her, a familiar one that made her heart skip a beat. She looked up, her breath catching in her throat.

There, standing a few feet away, was Terry Silver. His presence was commanding as always, but now there was something softer in his expression. His gaze was focused on her with an intensity that made Ash uneasy, but she refused to look away. She wasn’t about to let him think she was intimidated.

Terry took a step forward, his gaze lingering on her features—her height, her sharp cheekbones, her icy blue eyes. It was undeniable now. He saw it, and it seemed to both unsettle and intrigue him. She was a mirror image of him, and that was something he had never expected.

“Mind if I sit?” Terry asked, his voice surprisingly gentle. Ash didn’t answer but didn’t refuse either. He took a seat beside her, a little distance apart, though still close enough to make her uncomfortable.

There was a long silence between them as Terry studied her, his eyes never leaving her face. Ash couldn’t stop the growing unease in her chest, the way her stomach twisted in knots. The truth was, she didn’t know what to make of him. She didn’t know if she even wanted to know him.

Terry finally broke the silence, his tone calm but with an edge of something raw. “You don’t know how much I didn’t expect this,” he said quietly, his voice almost lost in the stillness. “You... you look so much like me.”

Ash’s gaze remained steady, though inside she was battling a storm of emotions. “I don’t need your recognition,” she said coldly, her voice low and firm. “I’m not here for you to figure out.”

Terry let out a small, almost rueful sigh. He wasn’t sure what he had expected from this meeting, but it wasn’t this. The intensity with which he stared at her was a mixture of curiosity and regret. “I didn’t know you existed, Ash,” he confessed, his voice almost apologetic. “For all these years, I didn’t know you were out there.”

Ash’s eyes flickered with something—was it anger? Was it resentment? She wasn’t sure. She wasn’t sure what she was feeling at all. The words hung in the air between them, an unspoken truth that neither of them could escape.

“I’m sure you didn’t,” Ash replied, her tone biting. “You weren’t exactly around. You didn’t try to find me, so why should I care? You didn't know!”

Terry’s expression softened, and for a moment, Ash thought she saw something in him she hadn’t expected: remorse. It was fleeting, though, quickly masked by his usual calm demeanor. “I was... a different person back then,” he said quietly. “I don’t think I was ready for any of it. I thought I had time. But time... it doesn’t wait for anyone, does it?”

Ash didn’t respond. She wasn’t sure what to say. Her whole life, she had been told nothing about her father, and now he was here, speaking to her like they had all the time in the world. She could feel the pieces of her life shifting around her, and it unsettled her more than she cared to admit.

“You don’t have to forgive me,” Terry continued, his voice low, sincere. “I’m not asking for that. But I want you to know, Ash, I’m here now. If you want anything... anything at all... I’m here. I want to get to know you.”

Ash shook her head, her jaw clenched. She couldn’t let herself get swept up in his words. “You can’t just waltz in and act like you’re here to make everything better,” she said, her voice rising just slightly. “You can’t erase all the years you were gone, and you sure as hell can’t erase the fact that I’m fine without you. I don’t need you.”

Terry looked at her, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, his lips curved into a small, almost imperceptible smile. “I know you don’t need me, Ash. I know you’re strong. But I can’t just... let this go. You’re my daughter. And that means something to me.”

Ash felt a sharp pang in her chest, a confusing swirl of emotions she couldn’t quite place. Her mother’s voice echoed in her mind: You don’t need him. She tried to hold onto that, to bury the emotions threatening to rise up.

“I don’t want to hear it,” she snapped. “I don’t want you to make promises you won’t keep. I’m not some broken kid who needs saving.”

Terry nodded, his gaze softening again. “I’m not here to save you, Ash. I’m here because I think there’s more to us. More than either of us realizes. And I don’t want to leave it all unexplored. Not now that I’ve found you.”

Ash’s heart pounded in her chest, but she refused to show any weakness. She stood up, taking a step back, and looked down at Terry with cold, unwavering eyes. “I’m not interested in whatever you think we’re supposed to be. So, this conversation is over.”

Before he could respond, Ash turned and walked away, her steps quick and deliberate. She didn’t look back. The words Terry had spoken, the way he’d looked at her, lingered in her mind, but she pushed them aside. She wasn’t ready to deal with this—him—not now, not yet.

As she disappeared into the mall, Terry watched her go, his expression one of quiet contemplation. He hadn't expected a warm reunion, maybe at least some kind of connection, but what he had gotten was a cold, firm rejection.

It hurt more than he cared to admit. But in that moment, he understood something deep down—he hadn’t lost Ash. Not yet. But it was clear now: winning her trust would be the greatest battle of his life.

Chapter Text

Chapter Four: Get Out

The dojo was filled with the rhythmic sounds of feet hitting the mat, the occasional sharp commands from the instructors cutting through the air. Ash was fully immersed in her training, her focus sharp, her movements quick and fluid. She hadn’t let up since she had left the conversation with Terry at the mall, still carrying the weight of it like a heavy cloak.

Her fists hit the pads harder than they needed to, her strikes too sharp, her intensity mounting with every breath she took. The frustrations from earlier—the unexpected meeting with her father, her mother’s coldness, Terry’s attempts to reach out—poured out in each punch, each kick, until the air around her seemed to crackle with the electricity of her anger.

She knew Johnny and Daniel were watching her, but she couldn’t bring herself to care. They didn’t understand, they never would. They didn’t have the right to lecture her about what was going on inside her head, not when she was fighting her own battles.

"Watch your control, Ash!" Daniel called out from the sidelines, his voice sharp but laced with concern.

Ash barely registered his words. She was too far gone. The pain and frustration she had been holding in for years surged to the surface, pushing her harder, faster. Her opponent—Mitch who wasn’t quite ready for this level of intensity—was on the receiving end of her aggression.

The moment was a blur. Ash feinted, then drove her elbow into the Mitch’s chest harder than she intended. He crumpled to the mat with a gasp, clutching his ribs.

“Hey!” Johnny barked, rushing over, his hands outstretched as he knelt beside the kid. “What the hell was that, Ash?”

Daniel was right behind him, his face scrunched in anger. “That’s not how we train here. You’ve been going way too hard. This isn’t just about showing off your strength.”

Ash stood there, panting, her heart still racing, her fists clenched at her sides. She hadn’t realized how much force she’d used until she saw the kid wincing in pain on the mat.

“I didn’t mean to—” she started, but her voice faltered. The words didn’t feel right, didn’t feel like enough to explain away the aggression that had taken over her.

Johnny stood up, shaking his head. “Doesn’t matter if you meant to or not. You don’t hurt people, especially not in training.”

Daniel stepped forward, his expression hardening. “You’re letting your emotions control you, Ash. That’s not what this dojo is about. We teach discipline, respect. If you can’t handle that, then maybe this isn’t the place for you.”

Ash’s chest tightened at the words. She could feel the walls closing in, the anger building again. This was just like everything else. She didn’t fit in. She was too much for them.

Her jaw clenched as she met Daniel’s gaze. “You don’t get it,” she spat, her voice low and cold. “You think you know what’s best for me, but you don’t. You don’t know anything about me. I’m trying, but I don’t fit your little rules, your little... perfect world.”

Johnny stepped forward, his voice harsh. “It’s not about our world, Ash. It’s about respect. And you don’t have it for anyone here, least of all yourself.”

Ash’s eyes burned with anger, but she felt a deep, unsettling ache in her chest. It was too much. It had all been too much. The fighting with her mother, Terry’s appearance, this... she couldn’t keep everything inside anymore.

“I don’t need your approval!” she yelled, her voice breaking. “I don’t need any of you telling me what to do! You’re not my family.”

The words stung as they left her mouth, but they felt true in that moment. She didn’t need them. She didn’t need anyone.

Daniel shook his head, his disappointment clear. “I’m sorry, Ash. I think you should go.” His voice was firm, final.

Johnny nodded, his expression hard. “You need to learn some control before you come back. This is not a place for that kind of attitude.”

Ash felt the weight of their words crash down on her, the cold realization hitting her like a punch to the gut. She had just been kicked out of the dojo. The one place where she’d thought she might be able to fit in. The one place that had promised her something more.

Her vision blurred, the heat of her emotions clouding her thoughts. She didn’t know what to feel, didn’t know how to process it. The last thing she wanted was to back down, to let them see how much their words hurt her, but deep down, she couldn’t help the sting of rejection that seeped into her bones.

Without saying another word, Ash turned on her heel and stormed out of the dojo, the sound of her boots echoing through the empty halls. The door slammed behind her, and she didn’t look back.

Outside, the cool air hit her like a slap to the face. She sucked in a sharp breath, her body trembling with the emotions she couldn’t control. The world seemed to spin around her as she took a few steps, unsure where she was going, just knowing she couldn’t stay there.

But as she rounded a corner, she froze. There, standing in front of her, was Terry Silver.

He didn’t look surprised to see her—no, he looked like he had been waiting. The same soft, calculating smile on his lips.

“Ash,” he said, his voice smooth but with an edge of something almost comforting. “I didn’t expect to see you here. What happened?”

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, but her emotions were still a whirlwind. “I don’t belong there. I don’t belong anywhere,” she muttered, almost to herself.

Terry’s expression softened, his voice quieter. “That’s not true. You’re just... finding your place. Sometimes, you have to go through the fire to come out stronger on the other side.”

Ash didn’t know why, but his words hit her differently than the ones she had heard earlier. Maybe it was because they were coming from him—someone who understood what it was like to feel like you were on the outside. Or maybe it was because, for the first time, someone wasn’t telling her what to do or how to fix it.

For once, someone just seemed to... get it.

“Maybe,” Ash muttered, swallowing hard against the lump in her throat. “But right now, I feel like everything’s falling apart.”

Terry took a step closer, his tone gentle. “Sometimes things have to fall apart before they can come together. But you don’t have to do it alone, Ash.”

Ash looked up at him, his gaze steady and calm, and for a moment, she almost believed him.

Then the weight of her day—the fights, the rejection, the confusion—hit her all over again. It felt like the day couldn’t get any worse. And yet, she couldn’t help but wonder: could it?

Chapter Text

Chapter Five: An Unlikely Invitation

Ash stood there, staring at Terry in disbelief. His calm demeanor, the way he spoke to her as if she were more than just another random person he had stumbled across—it all made her feel like she was standing at the edge of something unfamiliar, something that felt both enticing and dangerous.

“I’m not here to make things worse,” Terry said, his voice soft but firm. “I know today’s been... a lot. But if you’re up for it, I’d like to take you somewhere. Get something to eat. Maybe talk. I want to know more about you, Ash.”

Ash’s first instinct was to refuse. She didn’t want to do this. She didn’t want to be with him, didn’t want to trust him, didn’t want to get dragged into whatever twisted version of fatherhood he might offer. But something inside her, some flicker of curiosity—whether it was because she was tired of fighting, or because he hadn’t treated her like the enemy—made her hesitate.

She crossed her arms tightly over her chest, her body language closed off. “You want to get to know me?” she repeated, her voice biting. “After all this time, you think a meal’s going to fix things?”

Terry’s eyes softened, and he took a small step closer. “No, it’s not about fixing anything. It’s about... starting somewhere. You don’t owe me anything, Ash. But if you’re willing, I’d like to spend some time with you. Get to know who you are, what you like, what makes you tick. No pressure, just a meal. Just two people talking.”

Ash looked away, the knot in her stomach tightening. It felt like a trap. Everything about this screamed manipulation, like he was trying to get something out of her. But there was another part of her, buried deep, that wanted to know what it would be like to be treated like more than just the angry, distant kid who had been abandoned.

“I’m not some charity case,” Ash muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t need your pity.”

Terry’s expression remained steady, though there was a flicker of understanding in his gaze. “I’m not offering you pity, Ash. I’m offering you a chance to have a conversation—just a conversation. No strings attached. Get to know someone I never knew about."

Ash bit her lip, her mind racing. She was torn. She wanted to reject him. She wanted to tell him to leave her alone and go back to whatever world he came from. But at the same time, there was something in his offer—something about the way he was looking at her—that made her feel... seen.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of silence, Ash sighed and dropped her arms, the tension in her shoulders easing just a bit. She was still wary, still guarded, but she could admit she was curious.

“Fine,” she said, her voice low and reluctant. “But don’t think for a second I’m doing this because I like you. I’m doing this because I want to get it over with.”

Terry’s smile was small but sincere, and for the first time since they had met, there was a warmth in his expression. “That’s all I’m asking for, Ash. Just a chance.”

He led her to his car, and they drove in silence for a few moments. The city lights flickered outside, casting brief flashes of color over the empty streets. Ash couldn’t shake the feeling that she was stepping into something she wasn’t prepared for, but she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what. She had spent so much time building walls, shutting everyone out, and here she was—about to have dinner with the man she never knew, the man who, for reasons she didn’t understand, seemed determined to get close to her.

Terry eventually turned down a quiet street and pulled into a small, upscale restaurant that had a low-key, intimate atmosphere. It wasn’t the type of place you would expect someone like him to pick—no flashing lights, no fancy crowds. It was simple, understated, and almost calming.

They were seated at a quiet table in the corner, away from the handful of other patrons, and the dim lighting gave everything a soft, almost surreal quality. Ash sat stiffly across from Terry, her hands folded tightly in her lap, her body language screaming that she wasn’t comfortable, wasn’t ready for whatever this was.

The waiter arrived with menus, and Terry ordered something light—nothing flashy, just a simple meal. Ash didn’t know what to expect from him in this setting. He was so polished, so controlled in the dojo and when they spoke earlier. But here, in the quiet of the restaurant, he seemed more... human, somehow.

“So, Ash,” Terry began, his voice gentle, as if testing the waters. “Tell me something about you. What do you like to do when you’re not training? Anything that isn’t martial arts?”

Ash met his eyes briefly before looking away, her fingers drumming on the edge of the table. She didn’t want to talk about herself, didn’t want to make this feel personal. But part of her felt like she should at least try. He was trying, after all.

“I don’t know. I guess I play basketball sometimes,” she muttered, her voice flat. “I’m not great at it, but it’s something.”

Terry smiled, his eyes lighting up with a hint of genuine interest. “Basketball, huh? I didn’t take you for the type, but I can see it. You’ve got the drive, the intensity. I can only imagine how hard you push yourself on the court.”

Ash shot him a sharp glance. “Why do you care?”

Terry held up his hands in mock surrender. “I’m just saying. I’m getting to know my daughter, right? I want to know what makes you tick. You like basketball, you train hard—there’s more to you than what’s on the surface. I’m curious.”

Ash leaned back slightly in her chair, still guarded. “You don’t know the first thing about me.”

“I’d like to,” Terry said quietly, meeting her gaze without flinching. “But only if you’ll let me.”

She didn’t know how to respond to that. She wasn’t used to people wanting to know her, not in the way Terry seemed to want to. It was unsettling, but also... different.

For the first time in a long time, Ash felt a flicker of something in her chest—something that wasn’t anger, or frustration, or pain. It was... curiosity. A tiny, tentative spark.

"Maybe," she muttered, her voice softening just a little. "But don’t expect me to tell you everything."

Terry’s smile grew, not mocking, not indulgent, just genuinely kind. “I wouldn’t dream of it. Just one thing at a time, Ash. We’ll go at your pace.”

Ash couldn’t help but feel a bit of the tension inside her release. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all. Maybe, for once, someone was actually willing to listen to her. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough for now.

The night stretched on, the conversation flowing in and out of small talk, both of them feeling their way through a tentative connection. Neither of them knew exactly what would come from this moment, but for the first time, Ash allowed herself to consider the possibility that maybe—just maybe—she could let someone in.

Chapter Text

Chapter Six: Complex

The car pulled up in front of the small apartment complex, the soft hum of the engine echoing in the otherwise quiet night. Ash didn’t want to get out. She didn’t want to face her mom, didn’t want to go back into the house where everything felt suffocating. The conversation with Terry had been a strange mix of awkwardness and fleeting understanding, but she had no desire to walk back into the storm waiting for her at home.

“Here we are,” Terry said softly, his tone careful as he looked over at Ash. “I’ll be around if you need me. Don’t hesitate to reach out, okay?”

Ash nodded but didn’t say anything. She wanted to slam the door behind her and escape into the night, but she couldn’t. She was stuck. Stuck between this world with Terry, a man who neevr had the chance to be her father, and the life with her mother, who never talked about him. Stuck between wanting to know more and the fear of what would happen if she let herself care.

“Thanks for... tonight,” Ash muttered, before reluctantly stepping out of the car. She slammed the door a little harder than she intended, and Terry watched her walk away, his gaze lingering for a moment longer than necessary.

Ash turned to head for the stairs, but as she got closer to the apartment door, she could hear the yelling. Her stomach twisted. The sound of her mother’s voice was unmistakable, sharp and angry. Donna had never been one for subtlety, and Ash knew this was going to be bad.

When she reached the door, she pushed it open just enough to slip inside, only to be immediately met with the furious sight of her mother standing in the kitchen, her face red with anger. “Where the hell have you been?” Donna snapped, her voice low but seething. “And who the hell was that man you were with?”

Ash’s heart sank. She had hoped for a calm homecoming, maybe just slipping in quietly. But she had been fooling herself. There was no peace to be found here.

“He’s—” Ash started, but Donna cut her off, her voice rising.

“Don’t you dare try to tell me about that man!” Donna shot back. “You don’t get to just disappear for hours and then come waltzing back with him—your father, the man who abandoned us! What do you think you’re doing? Running off with a guy like him?”

Ash felt herself stiffen. “I didn’t—” She took a breath, trying to control the rising tide of frustration inside her. “I didn’t ask for him to show up. I didn’t ask for him to take me to dinner.”

Donna’s eyes narrowed. “So, you’re just going to let him waltz in and act like nothing happened? Like he hasn’t ruined our lives for the past fourteen years?”

“I don’t know!” Ash snapped, her voice cracking with emotion she wasn’t ready to deal with. “I don’t know what he wants, okay? I didn’t ask for this either.”

The tension between them thickened, and Ash could feel the walls closing in. She wanted to walk away, to escape, but her mother’s voice was like a chain, holding her in place.

“You think this is easy for me?” Donna continued, her voice shaking with anger and hurt. “You think I want to see you getting close to him? After everything he put me through? After all the lies?”

Ash clenched her fists. “I don’t know what to think, Mom! I don’t even know who he is. I don’t know what you want me to do about it.”

“Don’t you dare take his side!” Donna screamed. “He never cared about you! And now you’re just letting him back in? You’re just going to forget everything?”

“I’m not forgetting anything!” Ash shot back. “I’m trying to figure out why he showed up. He didn't know about me. I’m not saying I want him in my life, but—”

“Shut up!” Donna’s voice broke, and she swept a glass off the counter in a burst of rage. It shattered on the floor, the sound loud and sharp, cutting through the chaos. Ash froze, her breath caught in her chest. Her mother was furious, her hands trembling as she looked down at the broken glass.

“This is your fault,” Donna muttered under her breath, the words venomous. “You’ve ruined everything.”

Ash stepped back, feeling as if the ground was slipping away beneath her. The shouting continued, but it felt distant now, like she was drowning in the noise. Her mother’s anger, her own frustration—it was all too much.

She wanted to disappear. She wanted to run, to leave it all behind and escape to anywhere but here. She didn’t know where to go. She didn’t know who to turn to. The pain, the confusion, the lies—it was all too much.

As the fight escalated, Ash’s chest tightened, and she turned to walk out. But just as she reached the door, she heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps on the stairs.

“Terry!” Ash’s heart leaped in her chest as she turned to see the figure of Terry Silver standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable. His gaze flicked from her mother to Ash, and then back again. His posture was calm, but there was something in his eyes that showed he was ready to intervene if things got worse.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Donna spat, her anger suddenly directed at him. “You’ve already ruined everything, and now you think you can come in here like you own the place?”

“I heard shouting,” Terry said, his voice steady, though his eyes were locked on Donna. “I just wanted to make sure everything was okay.”

“Okay?” Donna laughed bitterly. “This is my life, my business. And you’re not welcome here, Terry.”

Ash stood frozen by the door, watching as the argument spiraled out of control. The neighbors' lights flickered on one by one, and within minutes, a few of them were standing outside, watching the scene unfold.

Before Ash could move or say anything, sirens wailed in the distance, growing louder as they approached. Her heart dropped. No. No, this couldn’t be happening.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Donna muttered, but it was too late. The police were already pulling into the parking lot, flashing lights reflecting off the surrounding buildings.

The officers stepped out of their cars, their eyes scanning the situation. One approached Donna and Terry, while the other asked Ash if she was okay. The crowd of neighbors, many of them whispering amongst themselves, only made the situation worse.

“This is exactly what I was afraid of,” Ash whispered under her breath, feeling the weight of everything crash down on her all at once. She wanted to disappear, to escape from everything—everyone.

But there was no escaping now. The damage was done.

Terry’s eyes flicked to Ash for a moment, his expression unreadable. He might not have known her very well, but he could see the fear in her eyes. He didn’t say anything, but there was a glimmer of understanding there.

Whatever this was, whatever mess she was in, Terry wasn’t about to let her face it alone. Not now.

But as the situation continued to spiral, Ash couldn’t help but wonder: could things possibly get any worse?

Chapter Text

Chapter Seven: JUST STOP

The flashing red and blue lights illuminated the street, a harsh contrast to the calm darkness of the night. Ash’s pulse raced as she watched the police officers approach, the weight of the situation sinking in deeper with every step they took. She could hear murmurs from the neighbors who had gathered outside, some of them pointing fingers, others just standing in silence, watching the scene unfold like some twisted reality show.

Terry stood close by, his presence almost calm in the face of the chaos, but his gaze flicked back to Ash every few seconds, concern hidden beneath the veneer of control. He hadn’t moved much since he arrived, his arms folded across his chest as he observed the situation.

Donna, meanwhile, was visibly enraged. She had her hands on her hips, her shoulders rigid with anger. The police officer speaking to her was trying to calm her down, but it wasn’t working.

"Ma’am, you need to calm down," the officer was saying. "We’re just here to make sure everyone’s safe."

"Safe?" Donna shot back, her voice filled with venom. "Safe? You’re going to stand here and tell me I need to calm down when he—" She pointed a finger directly at Terry, "—is the reason I’ve been stuck in this hellhole for years?”

Ash took a step back, her head spinning. She didn’t know how this was all going to end, but she had a sinking feeling it wasn’t going to end well.

“I wasn’t here to cause any trouble, Donna,” Terry said, his voice calm but with a hint of authority that made the officer pause. “I heard the yelling and came to make sure Ash was alright. That’s all.”

“Bullshit,” Donna hissed, her eyes flashing with fury. “Don’t try to pretend like you care now. You don’t care about anyone. You never have.”

The tension in the air thickened. Ash could see it in Terry’s eyes—he wasn’t used to being confronted this way. For a moment, his cool exterior cracked, a brief flicker of hurt crossing his face. But it was quickly replaced by something harder, something Ash couldn’t quite place.

The officer who had been speaking to Donna turned to Ash. “Is everything okay here, Miss?”

Ash hesitated. She didn’t know what to say. How could she tell them everything was fine when it felt like her whole world was coming apart? She swallowed hard, trying to steady her nerves, but the knot in her stomach only grew tighter.

“I—I don’t know,” she finally muttered, her voice shaking. “I’m just... I just want this to stop.”

Terry’s eyes softened, though his body remained rigid. He looked at Donna and then back at Ash, his voice low but steady.

“We don’t have to do this here, Donna. We can talk this through. This isn’t the place for this kind of confrontation.”

Donna sneered. “Talk? You think after all this time, after you left us? You think you can just show up and act like everything’s fine?”

Ash wanted to shrink into herself. This wasn’t how she imagined meeting her father—this wasn’t how she imagined anything. She just wanted the chaos to stop. But instead, it was spiraling out of control, and she felt trapped in the middle of it.

Suddenly, there was a loud crash. Ash spun around in surprise to see her mother’s hand fly up in frustration, knocking over a nearby chair as she moved toward Terry, her face red with rage.

“You didn’t just ruin my life, you ruined hers too!” Donna shouted, her words cutting through the tension like a knife. “My daughter doesn’t need you! She never did. You didn’t even know she existed for all this time!”

Ash’s breath caught in her throat. The words hit her harder than she expected, and the realization of what her mother was saying hit like a punch to the gut. It was true. Terry hadn’t known about her. He’d only just found out about her existence, and now he was stuck in this mess.

Terry’s jaw tightened, and for a split second, Ash saw something flicker in his eyes—something deeper than just anger. Regret? Sadness? She couldn’t tell, but it was there, hidden under his carefully controlled facade.

“I’m not here to take her away from you, Donna,” Terry said slowly, his voice low but firm. “I’m not here to disrupt your life. I just... I want to get to know my daughter. That’s all.”

Before Donna could respond, a loud shout cut through the air.

“Enough!”

Ash turned quickly to see a figure standing in the doorway of the apartment building. It was the landlord, an older man who had lived in the building for years. “You can’t be causing this kind of scene here!” he yelled, shaking his head. “We don’t want the cops here, and we don’t want this kind of trouble. Take it somewhere else!”

Donna spun around, furious, but the police officer was already stepping in, trying to de-escalate the situation. “Ma’am, if you don’t calm down, I’ll have to ask you to leave the premises.”

“You can’t tell me what to do!” Donna screamed, her voice shrill and desperate. “You don’t know what he did to me!”

Ash felt the pressure building in her chest. The whole situation was unraveling. She couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t think. She just wanted to leave. She didn’t want any of this none of it.

As the officer tried to restrain Donna, the neighbors started murmuring, the whispers growing louder and louder. One of them, a woman who lived across the hall, stepped outside and approached the police.

“He’s the one who’s been causing problems for years,” the woman said, pointing at Terry. “This man—he’s the reason they’re in this mess. He should never have come back.”

The officer turned to Terry, his gaze now cold. “You need to leave, sir. I don’t care who you are. You’ve caused enough problems here.”

Ash’s heart sank. She felt the walls closing in on her. This wasn’t what she needed. This wasn’t how things were supposed to go.

Terry didn’t say a word, but his eyes flicked toward Ash one more time. She could see the hesitation in his gaze like he wasn’t sure whether he should stay or go.

“I’ll go,” he finally said, his voice quieter than before. He turned, looking at Ash one last time before walking away without another word.

The police officers escorted Donna back into the apartment, and as Ash stood there, frozen, she realized that the night had taken another turn. Everything was falling apart, and she had no idea how to put the pieces back together.

As the sirens faded into the distance and the crowd of neighbors slowly dispersed, Ash was left standing alone in the darkness.

She couldn’t go back to the dojo. She couldn’t go back to the chaos of her mother’s world. She didn’t know where to turn anymore.

Could things really get any worse?

Yes. Yes, they could.

Chapter Text

Chapter Eight: Shadows in the Dark

The night stretched on, heavy and suffocating, as Ash stood outside her apartment complex. Her head spun, still reeling from the chaos that had just erupted. The police were gone now, but the mess of shattered glass, the tension in the air, and the lingering whispers of neighbors haunted her. The silence around her felt as oppressive as the storm inside her chest.

Terry had left. That much was clear. But something in his eyes told her he hadn’t truly gone anywhere. He was still close, lurking in the background, like a shadow waiting to pounce.

Ash stood by the door, hand hovering over the handle but unwilling to go inside just yet. She couldn’t face her mother couldn’t face the tension that was sure to meet her the moment she stepped inside.

Donna’s anger was palpable even in the silence that followed the police’s departure. Ash had seen that rage before, but this was different. There was something darker, something more dangerous simmering beneath the surface. The kind of anger that made her feel like she was walking on eggshells.

As she stood there, lost in thought, a familiar voice broke through the quiet.

“Hey.”

Ash spun around, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Terry standing a few feet away. He hadn’t left. He’d just been waiting for the right moment to approach.

“How long have you been standing there?” she asked, her voice sharper than she intended.

Terry took a step forward, his hands in his pockets. His expression was unreadable, but there was a softness in his eyes. He was watching her closely, as if trying to figure out what she needed what she was thinking.

“Long enough,” he replied softly. “Long enough to know I didn’t leave the way I should have.”

Ash frowned, glancing away. “You should’ve stayed away. This wasn't your mess. You didn’t have to come here.”

“I came because I want to make sure you’re okay,” Terry said, his voice steady. “Whether you want me here or not, I’m not going anywhere. You’re my daughter. And I’m not just going to disappear.”

Ash’s breath hitched in her throat. She wasn’t sure how she felt about him how she was supposed to feel about him but part of her, the part that wanted something more than just the chaos her life had become, wanted to believe him. Wanted to believe that maybe this could be different.

But then the reality of her situation slammed back into her chest, heavy and suffocating.

“Why do you even care?” she asked, voice shaking slightly. “You didn’t even know I existed until recently. You want to play dad?”

Terry didn’t flinch, didn’t back away. He stood there, unwavering, as if he had already prepared for this.

“You’re right,” he said quietly. “I didn’t know. But I want to know now. I want to make up for lost time. I know I can’t undo the past, but I’m here now, Ash. I’m not going anywhere.”

Ash’s heart pounded in her chest. She wanted to say something anything to push him away. But the words caught in her throat. She didn’t know how to handle this how to handle him.

Instead, she just stood there, caught between the weight of her mother’s anger and the pull of Terry’s unexpected presence in her life. She didn’t know what was worse: the bitterness she felt toward the man who’d abandoned her or the nagging feeling in her gut that maybe, just maybe, he was trying to do something right.

Before she could say anything else, the sound of footsteps echoed behind her. She turned around quickly, her pulse racing as she saw Donna stepping out of the apartment, her face twisted in fury.

“You can’t be serious,” Donna sneered, glaring at Terry. “After everything, you just waltz in here like you have some right to be part of her life? You’ve done enough damage already.”

Ash’s stomach churned. She could feel the tension building again, thick in the air between them. Her mother’s anger, Terry’s quiet determination it was all too much, too fast.

“Terry, you need to leave,” Donna spat. “You’ve done enough. You don’t belong here.”

But Terry didn’t move. Instead, he looked directly at Donna, his jaw clenched. “I’m not leaving,” he said, his voice low but firm. “Not until I’ve made sure Ash knows that I’m here for her. You can’t keep her from me anymore.”

Donna took a step forward, her hands trembling with barely contained rage. “You don’t get to make that decision, Terry. Not anymore. She’s mine, not yours.”

Ash’s heart twisted at the words. She didn’t know who to side with didn’t know what to believe anymore. Both of them were saying things that made sense, but it all felt like too much. The storm inside her was building again, threatening to swallow her whole.

“I don’t want to choose,” Ash whispered, barely audible over the rising tension. “I just want everything to stop.”

Terry’s eyes softened, but Donna’s expression only hardened.

“Then maybe you should’ve thought about that before you came back,” Donna said, her voice sharp as a blade. “Maybe you should’ve stayed gone.”

Terry didn’t respond right away. Instead, he glanced at Ash once more, his eyes searching hers. There was something in his gaze something that made her feel like he wasn’t just here for her. He was here for redemption. For something he couldn’t quite put into words.

“Let me help,” Terry said quietly, his voice almost pleading.

Ash shook her head, the weight of the situation crashing down on her. She couldn’t breathe. She didn’t know what to do, where to turn.

“I don’t need anyone’s help,” she whispered, her voice breaking.

But deep down, she knew that was a lie. She didn’t know what she needed but she knew she couldn’t do this alone. The world around her felt too dark, too heavy.

Terry didn’t push further. He just watched her, understanding in his eyes.

“I’ll be here when you’re ready,” he said softly.

And then, without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving Ash standing there in the dark, caught between the past and the uncertain future ahead of her.

Could it get worse?

Ash didn’t need to ask. She already knew.

Chapter Text

Chapter Nine: Fractured Worlds

The night dragged on, each second feeling like it was laced with tension, a palpable pressure that seemed to close in around Ash. Donna had gone back inside, leaving Ash standing in the cold, the sound of the door slamming shut echoing in her ears. She could still feel the lingering presence of Terry’s departure, his last words haunting her.

“I’ll be here when you’re ready.”

She didn’t know what to make of that. Didn’t know what it meant, or how she was supposed to feel about it. She wasn’t ready for anything. For him. For her mother’s anger. For any of it.

But now the air was thick with silence, the tension between the two most important people in her life simmering just below the surface. Her mother’s fury, her father’s quiet persistence—it was all too much for her to process, too much for one night. She wanted to scream, to run far away, but the weight of the world was pulling her down.

Still, she couldn't stay outside forever.

With a deep, shaky breath, she finally opened the door to the apartment and stepped inside. The air inside was heavy with the remnants of the argument, and her heart sank as she saw her mother sitting on the couch, her face darkened with frustration. The quiet was worse than the shouting—it felt like the calm before a storm, the kind that made your skin crawl.

Ash knew that storm was coming. She could feel it in the way her mother was glaring at her, like she was an outsider, a reminder of something she didn’t want to face.

Donna didn’t speak at first, but when she did, her voice was cold, cutting through the silence like a knife.

“You think I don’t see what’s happening?” Donna’s words were sharp, her eyes never leaving Ash. “You think I don’t know what you’re doing, what he is doing? You’re going to fall for his act, aren’t you? You’re just like him.”

Ash flinched, the words stinging more than she expected. “I’m not like him,” she said quickly, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m just trying to figure this out.”

“Figure it out?” Donna scoffed. “He’s not some knight in shining armor, Ash. He’s the same man who walked out on us, and you’re going to let him just waltz back in and pretend everything’s fine?”

Ash’s pulse quickened. She wasn’t ready to fight. Not tonight.

“I didn’t ask for any of this,” Ash said, her voice shaking as she fought to keep her composure. “I didn’t ask for him to come back. But he’s my dad, and he wants to be here. I can’t just pretend that doesn’t mean something.”

Donna’s expression darkened, her eyes narrowing with a mixture of disbelief and anger. “He doesn’t want to be here. He wants to ease his own guilt. He’s just like every other man who’s left me high and dry. And now he’s trying to do it with you.”

Ash opened her mouth to argue but stopped herself. The words felt pointless. The more she tried to explain, the more it felt like she was digging herself deeper into a hole she couldn’t crawl out of. Her mother’s hurt was too raw, too real.

“Why do you even care?” Ash asked quietly, her voice catching. “You’ve spent years hating him, and now you’re just mad because he wants to be here. I can’t change that, Mom.”

Donna's face twisted with bitterness, but there was a flicker of something else in her eyes—something soft, something sad. For a moment, Ash saw the woman her mother used to be before everything got so tangled. Before her anger took over.

“I care because I’ve been the only one who’s been here for you. I’ve been the one who’s had to deal with all the messes, the heartbreaks, the sleepless nights. And now... now you want to throw all that away for him?”

Ash felt a lump form in her throat. She couldn’t respond. She didn’t know how to.

“You’re not a child anymore, Ash,” Donna said, her voice quieter now. “But you don’t have to be his pawn, you don’t have to let him walk all over you just because he’s finally showing up.”

“I’m not letting him walk all over me,” Ash replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m just trying to figure out who I am. And I don’t know how to do that when you’re both pulling me in different directions.”

Donna’s gaze softened for a moment, her shoulders slumping as if the weight of the world had finally caught up to her. She stood up slowly and walked over to Ash, her eyes filled with something that might’ve been regret, or maybe just exhaustion.

“You think I want to keep you from him?” Donna asked, her voice breaking slightly. “I don’t. But I can’t pretend it’s okay. I can’t pretend I’m not afraid of losing you.”

Ash swallowed hard, looking at her mother. She didn’t know what to say. She was torn, caught between the past and the present, between the woman who had raised her and the man who had been absent her whole life.

But before she could say anything more, a loud knock at the door interrupted their fragile moment.

Both women froze. Ash glanced at her mother, whose face tightened, fear and confusion crossing her features.

“Who is that?” Donna whispered, her eyes wide.

Ash felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. She knew who it was before she even opened the door. There was only one person who would show up at this time of night, with the chaos of earlier still fresh in the air.

When she opened the door, Terry stood there, his face unreadable but his presence undeniable.

“I need to talk to you,” he said, his voice firm but calm.

Ash looked back at her mother, whose face was now a mask of fury. “I told you, you need to leave,” Donna spat.

Terry’s gaze flickered briefly to Donna, and then back to Ash. “I’m not here to cause more problems. I just need to talk to my daughter.”

Ash’s heart raced as she stepped forward, unsure of what to do. Her mother was already visibly seething, ready to erupt, and she couldn’t let that happen—not now, not like this.

But Terry wasn’t backing down.

“I’ll deal with her,” he said softly. “I just need a few minutes. Please.”

Ash could feel the tension stretching, taut and thin, between the two worlds that had collided in her life. She was caught in the middle, torn between the man who claimed to be her father and the mother who had never let her down. How could she choose between them? How could she make it stop?

Terry looked at her one last time, waiting.

And Ash was left standing at the crossroads, unsure of which direction to take.

Chapter Text

Chapter Ten: Shattered Pieces

Ash stood in the doorway, her heart thudding in her chest. She could feel the tension crackling in the air, thick and suffocating, as she watched Terry and Donna face off. Donna’s fury was palpable, a storm just waiting to break. Terry, however, stood still, his expression unreadable, though Ash could tell the weight of her mother’s anger didn’t seem to faze him.

Ash knew this wasn’t going to be an easy conversation. In fact, it was going to be anything but. She had never seen her mother this angry, never seen her in this kind of confrontation. And Terry... well, she didn’t know how to feel about him. He was a stranger who wasn’t really a stranger at all. He was her father, a man who had shown up out of nowhere, claiming a connection that Ash wasn’t sure she was ready for.

But as the seconds dragged on, she stepped away from the door, giving them the space they needed. It felt like the right thing to do, but as she walked toward the window, trying to keep herself from eavesdropping, she couldn’t help but hear their words through the thin walls of the apartment.

Donna’s voice was sharp and angry, cutting through the air like a knife. “You left me, Terry. You abandoned us! You can’t just come back here and pretend everything’s fine. You can’t just show up now and expect things to go your way. You have no idea what it’s been like, raising her on my own!”

Terry’s voice was calmer but firm, the kind of calm that made her mother’s fury all the more evident. “I didn’t leave on purpose, Donna. I didn’t know about Ash. I didn’t know she existed until recently. If I had, things would have been different. But you shut me out. You kept me in the dark, and now you’re blaming me for it?”

Donna scoffed, her voice trembling with fury. “I didn’t shut you out. You left! You didn’t want to be a part of this family. You didn’t care about us, Terry. I had to do everything myself. I had no choice.”

“I didn’t choose to leave, Donna,” Terry shot back, his voice rising. “You pushed me away. You didn’t want me to be involved. You made sure I didn’t know about her, about Ash. Don’t turn this around on me.”

Ash could hear the hurt in Terry’s voice, the raw edge of regret that seemed to slice through his words. It was strange to hear him sound so... human. She had always thought of him as a distant, untouchable figure. The man who had left her mother, who had never even acknowledged her existence. But now, hearing him speak like this, she wasn’t sure what to think.

She didn’t have the answers.

Donna, however, didn’t seem moved by his words. “You don’t get to make excuses, Terry. You don’t get to come back after all this time and pretend like you have a right to just waltz in and play the hero. You’re not going to break her, not after all this time. You don’t know her. You don’t know what she’s been through. I’ve been the one here. I’ve been the one to protect her.”

Terry’s silence was heavy, almost suffocating. Ash could picture him standing there, trying to process what her mother was saying, trying to find the right words to say. He didn’t speak for a long moment, and when he finally did, his voice was quieter, more measured.

“You’re right,” he said softly. “I don’t know what she’s been through. I don’t know what you’ve been through. But I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere. If you want to hate me, fine. But I’m not going to walk away again. I won’t do that to her.”

The silence that followed was deafening. Ash couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move, couldn’t process everything she was hearing. She pressed her back against the cold window, trying to ground herself, but all she could think about was how much pain, how much tension had been building up over the years. And now, it felt like everything was coming to a head. Like everything she had ever known was about to shatter.

Donna’s voice broke through the stillness, raw and filled with frustration. “You don’t get to come back and claim her. You don’t get to tell me what to do. I’m her mother. I’ve been here. You don’t get to rewrite our history. You don’t get to come in and act like nothing happened.”

Terry’s voice remained steady, but there was a quiet intensity to it. “I’m not rewriting anything. I can’t undo what happened. But I’m not going to let you do this to her, Donna. She deserves to know the truth. She deserves to have a choice. She deserves to know who I am.”

Ash’s breath caught in her throat at the last words. It was as if Terry was speaking directly to her, acknowledging her existence in a way that felt too real, too raw. She couldn’t look away from the window. She couldn’t turn around and face them, couldn’t face the reality of what was happening.

“Look,” Donna’s voice cracked, “I don’t know what you think this is. I don’t know what you think you can fix. But you’re not going to hurt her again. I won’t let you.”

There was a pause. And then Terry spoke, his voice almost gentler now, like a man who had seen the weight of his past and was trying to make it right. “I’m not going to hurt her. I just want to be a part of her life. I want to make up for the time I’ve lost.”

Donna’s response was a low growl of disbelief. “You can’t just make up for all that lost time. You can’t just waltz in and fix everything like you didn’t disappear for all these years.”

Terry didn’t argue. Instead, there was a long, drawn-out silence. And then, when he finally spoke, his words were quieter, almost apologetic. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I wasn’t there. But I’m here now. And I’m not going to leave.”

Ash heard the shift in the air, the softening of Terry’s tone, and something inside her—a small, quiet voice—urged her to turn around, to face them, to see this moment for what it was. A confrontation. A reckoning.

But she couldn’t. She wasn’t ready for it.

Instead, she remained at the window, eyes fixed on the dim lights of the city below. Her mother’s anger. Terry’s guilt. Her own confusion. It was all swirling together, creating a storm in her mind that she couldn’t escape.

She didn’t know what to do.

She didn’t know how to make it stop.

The only thing she knew for sure was that the pieces of her life, the life she thought she understood, were falling apart. And no matter how hard she tried to hold them together, she couldn’t stop it.