The Doctors Assistant | Carlisle Cullen x OC

Chapter 29 | An Old Musty Box

As Ashley settled into her temporary home at the Cullens', she found herself wrestling with a tumult of emotions. The prospect of meeting her real father, Marcus Volturi, loomed large in her mind, stirring a mixture of excitement and apprehension. Determined to forge a connection with the man who shared her blood, Ashley had taken a week off from work, eager to dedicate her time to getting to know him better.

Turning to Carlisle for support, Ashley had confided in him, sharing her desire to reach out to Marcus and establish a relationship with him. With his characteristic kindness and understanding, Carlisle had readily agreed to help, promising to extend an invitation to Marcus to visit Forks and spend time with Ashley.

As the days passed, Ashley found herself eagerly anticipating Marcus' arrival, her thoughts consumed by the possibility of finally meeting her father face-to-face. Despite her nerves, she was determined to make the most of their time together, eager to uncover the truths of her heritage and forge a bond with the man who had remained a distant figure for so long.

In the meantime, Ashley threw herself into the rhythm of daily life with the Cullens, immersing herself in their world of magic and mystery. With each passing day, she grew closer to her newfound family, their unwavering support serving as a source of strength and comfort as she navigated the complexities of her past.

As the appointed day of Marcus' visit drew near, Ashley felt a surge of anticipation coursing through her veins. Though she knew that their meeting would be fraught with emotion and uncertainty, she was ready to embrace the opportunity to connect with the man who held the key to unlocking the secrets of her identity. And as she awaited his arrival, Ashley found herself filled with a sense of hope and possibility, eager to embark on this new chapter of her journey.

As the anticipation of Marcus' visit loomed, Ashley's nerves were in a constant state of agitation. She found herself pacing the halls of the Cullen household, her thoughts racing as she tried to distract herself with mundane tasks like cleaning.

Every corner of the house seemed to whisper with the promise of the impending meeting, and Ashley's anxiety only seemed to grow with each passing hour. She straightened picture frames, dusted shelves, and rearranged furniture, all in an effort to keep her mind occupied and her nerves at bay.

But no matter how hard she tried to focus on the task at hand, her thoughts kept drifting back to Marcus. Would their meeting go smoothly? Would they be able to forge a connection? And most importantly, would Ashley finally get the answers she had been seeking about her past?

Lost in her thoughts, Ashley continued to tidy up the house, her movements automatic and mechanical as she struggled to keep her emotions in check. But beneath the surface, a sense of trepidation gnawed at her, leaving her heart heavy with uncertainty about what the future might hold.

As she swept the floors and polished the countertops, Ashley couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air. Tomorrow was sure to bring new challenges and revelations, and Ashley could only hope that she would find the strength and courage to face them head-on.

As Ashley carefully opened the weathered box labeled "Pastor Cullen," a wave of curiosity washed over her. The musty scent of old parchment filled the air as she peered inside, revealing an array of mysterious artifacts and documents nestled within.

Among the items were ancient spellbooks, potion ingredients, and assorted talismans, each imbued with a sense of ancient power. But it was the documents that captured Ashley's attention the most. As she sifted through the yellowed pages, she discovered a collection of records chronicling the persecution of witches by a figure known as Pastor Cullen.

With each document she perused, Ashley felt a growing sense of unease. The names of countless individuals were listed, each one marked as a victim of Pastor Cullen's crusade against witchcraft. As she studied the faded ink, Ashley couldn't help but wonder about the man behind the name— who was Pastor Cullen, and what drove him to such extreme measures?

Lost in thought, Ashley realized that she had stumbled upon a piece of history shrouded in darkness. The box contained relics of a time when fear and superstition reigned, and innocent lives were lost in the name of misguided belief.

As she pondered the significance of her discovery, Ashley resolved to uncover the truth behind Pastor Cullen's actions. With each passing moment, her curiosity deepened, propelling her on a journey to unravel the mysteries of the past and shed light on the enigmatic figure lurking within the shadows of history.