Asher’s POVI hated this part of the job—the never-ending meetings, the long, boring conversations, having to sit still around the conference table and pretend to pay rapt attention to whatever my brother was saying. I had to, however. It was part of my job. One of the reasons I envied Marcus was that he seemed to fit right into this place. The perfect son, the perfect CEO.“From the analysis, Sterling Industries is set to experience a 15% increase in profit next month…”I drowned out his ear-scratching voice, but I couldn’t deny that everyone else seemed to like it. My father sat at the head of the table, his face stoic. His silver hair was styled to perfection, not a single strand out of place. His intense eyes were fixated on the projector screen, and all the shareholders and foreign investors were focused on whatever Marcus was saying.He was good at it; that was the truth I had always known. Being the second child was a lot harder when the first was so perfect. It was as if there
Asher’s POVI walked into the empty diner. When my mom sent me an invitation for dinner earlier, I knew instantly that something was up. It was uncharacteristic of us to hang out alone together. I had an idea of what she wanted to speak about already.It wasn’t hard to spot her. Besides the fact that the diner was practically empty, surely on my mother’s orders, she was the only person who showed up at a fancy diner wearing a business suit, her hair tied back and put in a bun, making her look serious.She was tapping on her phone when I approached her. “Mom,”She looked up at me with those dull brown eyes. “Asher?” she managed a small smile.Over the years, I learned quickly that this was the most affection I’d get from my mother. It was hard to come to terms with it because, unlike my father, her stoicism felt forced. Like she was playing a character, I could always see the struggle in her eyes, her holding back, but maybe it was all in my head, and I was overthinking it. Maybe. As a
Ivy’s POVI woke up that morning and let out an exasperated groan. I remembered the shoot I had planned for the day and sighed in frustration. I didn’t want to go. I didn’t want to confront Taylor, not yet, at least. I sorted through my morning routine quickly and headed downstairs in a robe.I walked up to a table laden with all kinds of foods and drinks, with Asher sitting there, legs crossed. He smiled warmly at me as soon as I walked in.“I would have brought breakfast in bed, but I didn’t know how to manage,” he said, gesturing towards the breakfast buffet laid out on the table.My mouth watered instantly, and I smiled appreciatively at him.“You really didn’t have to,” I told him.“You were down yesterday. I was only trying to make you feel better,” he replied.I clutched tightly to my robe as I sat across from him. His watchful eyes followed my every move. I watched him lift a large glass to his lips. How did he make drinking look so erotic? Who was I kidding? Everything about t
Asher’s POVI kept stealing glances at the door where she had walked through, waiting to see her walk out again. The team had been extra friendly because I was sitting comfortably with a front-row view of the shoot area, a fine bottle of unopened champagne in front of me. My jaw dropped when she emerged. Her outfit was a beautiful nude dress that stopped mid-thigh, making her legs look even longer.Assistants rushed back and forth, adjusting the lighting, fixing props, and setting up the stage.She glanced at me and smiled. It was the most beautiful sight, making me feel warm inside. When she approached me, I stood up and closed the distance between us. “You look beautiful,” I blurted out as soon as she got closer.She smiled in response and tucked her hair behind her ear. “Taylor is trying to get me to talk to her...”“Would you like me to do something about her?” I asked. “Say, kick her out of the shoot, for instance?”She gave me a funny look.I clutched my chest. “I’m really serio
Ivy’s POVAsher had been the sweetest. It was hard to reconcile him with the same guy who teased me all the time in the past. I was too chicken to face Taylor, but on his insistence, I had gone to the shoot. Having him around made me feel a lot better. I didn’t have the crippling dread inside me as I walked into the studio. His corny remarks made me focus on something other than the anger I felt for Taylor.I wanted to go on a long rant. I wanted to charge at her and scream down the studio. It was hard enough dealing with my heartbreak alone, having no one around to talk to. The last thing I needed was my heartbreak becoming the next trendy news in the media. I couldn’t even tell my parents—I didn’t need strangers dissecting my life and picking me apart. That was why I stayed quiet, why I avoided Taylor all day, and why I pretended not to hear her call out to me several times.He made it even easier. I loved the way his eyes searched for me at every point, like we were old lovers. The
Asher’s POV“Are you okay, man?” Luca asked for the umpteenth time that week. We were in my living room.I turned to glare at him. “What do you think?” I turned back to stare at my reflection in the mirror. My hair was sticking out oddly because I had run my fingers through it repeatedly. I was sporting stubble on my chin and jawline, and my eyes looked sunken, like I hadn’t slept in days—which wasn’t far from the truth.“You look like shit, and I’m genuinely worried,” he said.I exhaled. “Luca, I told you I was fine. You didn’t have to stop by.”He eyed me. “Yeah, of course. There’s absolutely no reason to be worried about you right now.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I mean, can’t you just call her? She’s your wife, isn’t she? And you definitely miss her.”Damn right I did. After our last argument, Ivy had gone home, and I hadn’t heard from her in two weeks. She didn’t come back to our house either. I was hoping she would, considering she had her things here. She didn’t resp
Ivy’s POV“What do you know about the Sterlings?” my mother asked suddenly. We were sitting around the large dining table.I exhaled and glanced at the door nervously, checking my watch for the umpteenth time. I was a nervous wreck, and rightfully so. I hadn’t seen Asher in weeks, and I was about to introduce our families at our home.“Aside from the fact that they own a huge company? Nothing,” my dad answered. He turned to look at me. “Usually, this part of the introduction happens before my daughter gets married to their son.”My mother gripped his hand to stop him.I let out a huge sigh. “Dad, we’re already married.”“And I’m still pissed about it!” he blurted out.I tucked my hair behind my ears. I had sent Asher a long email describing my parents, hoping he had read it and prepared for this. I needed this evening to go well. So much between us already wasn’t, but this had to.You’d think I would have called off the wedding—it was a joke, after all—but no. For reasons I couldn’t f
Asher’s POVI called home three hours before it was time. My father picked up on the second ring, and it was a video call.“Asher.”“Dad,” I answered.“What is it?”“You remember we have that...”“Yes, of course, he does,” Marcus interjected, his annoying face covering the whole screen, “We all remember, we wouldn’t miss it for the world.”I couldn’t hide the surprise on my face. “You’re at home, Marcus?”“Yes, I am. Dad and I made a little bet. Do you want to know what it’s about?”I rolled my eyes. I didn’t, but I knew Marcus, and I knew he would tell me anyway.“I’ve bet that by the end of the night, I’ll unravel whatever scheme you’ve planned and how you managed to entrap your new wife. Dad, for some reason, thinks she might actually find you likable enough to want to be married to you...” He chuckled and shook his head. “I don’t know, though, it seems highly unlikely.”“Marcus, I don’t care. I hope Dad can at least get good money out of you. You’re unfortunately my brother, and m
Taylor.I was sitting on the large couch in my bedroom, staring off into the distance. It was supposed to be my time of solitude, a time to sit with my thoughts, and it would have been if Max hadn’t been hunched over and pacing from one corner to the other.His frame was rigid, clenching his fists at his sides, thumping his foot against the floor. It was clear he wanted my attention.He hadn’t said anything yet, but that’s what he wanted, and I couldn’t be bothered. I was plagued by my own thoughts.I stretched out my legs and laid down, blocking out Max completely. I brought my fingers to my mouth and began to bite down on my nails.I had played my cards quite early, much earlier than I had planned to. Ivy had forced my hand when we got into that big fight, and she said all those horrible things to me.I didn’t see it coming; I didn’t expect her to react in that manner. I was so mad, I couldn’t think clearly. The moment I got off the phone with Max, I sent the pictures to her with a
MaxThe smell of fresh coffee hit me as I pushed open the door to the little café.Ivy was perched on a stool by the window, her shoulders hunched, eyes focused on her phone, scrolling, engrossed in whatever it was she was staring at.She didn’t see me walk in - at least, not at first. Well, she wasn’t supposed to. I had actually stalked her and followed her here.I crossed the room; there were only a few people in the café. The café was located on the top floor of a high-rise building, exclusive to top celebrities.I slipped into the chair across from her. She finally looked up, her gaze turning sharp, annoyed.“Ivy,” I said her name like it was the sweetest thing ever. “Didn’t think I’d see you here.”She sighed, setting her phone down deliberately. She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right?” Her tone was flat, detached. “What a surprise!” she exclaimed sarcastically, picking up a book on the table and flipping the pages open.I knew where she was going with this, but I wouldn’t give her th
Asher’s POVJanine’s face looked like she had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. She was in a crouching position, her hands unbuttoning the pants on...He turned to look at me with apologetic eyes. “Luca!”“Asher, I’m sorry...” he began.“Janine, will you get on your feet and fix your clothes!” I yelled in anger. I was filled with utter disgust, seeing my sister in that position and, of all people, with my own friend Luca.She sighed and proceeded to fix Luca’s pants.I raked my fingers through my hair. “His hands are working, Janine! I think he can fix his pants by himself.” I turned to look at Luca, my eyes narrowing at him. “Or can you not?” I barked. My heart was pounding in my chest, and my fists were clenched by my sides.Janine opened her mouth to protest, but he hushed her. “It’s okay, baby. Let it go...”Baby? I saw red in that instant, the muscles in my jaw tightening. Now, I was raving mad. “What the heck is going on here?” I barked.Janine’s eyes widened, her fac
Asher’s POVI hated the way her face fell in disappointment when she saw me. I hated the frown on her face that caused her forehead to crease.I wanted to scoop her up in my arms and kiss the frown away.“Flower, I—”“My name is Ivy,” she cut in, her voice stern. “And I’m asking, what is this about?”I sighed, closing the distance between us. “If I hadn’t told the lie that Janine was calling for you, would you have come?”“You very well know I wouldn’t!” she spat in disgust and made to storm off, but I grabbed her hand and pulled her back to me. “Don’t walk away from me,” I said through clenched teeth.Shock flashed across her face; she hadn’t expected me to react this way. But it was done—I was done playing the cool guy.She tried to wriggle free from my grasp, but I held firm. “Let go of me or—”“Or what?” I cut in.“What?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.I pulled her closer, pressing her against me. “If I don’t let go of you, what will happen?” I challenged her. “Seriously, t
Asher’s POVI kept my hand wrapped around the glass, red wine bubbling inside. My fingers were cold against the slick surface.My eyes darted across the room; there was a sea of guests chatting loudly, but my gaze found just one person. Another drink slid down my throat, sharp and burning.I had lost count of how many drinks I had; it should have helped dull my senses, but it didn’t. It didn’t dull the irritation simmering inside me.Derrick.The dumbass photographer. The smug, audacious prick. Oh, the nerve of him! It was already bad enough that he was hanging around Ivy throughout her trip. It was maddening that he touched her, even in the slightest.Just thinking about it made me seethe. But he also had the audacity to follow her here and attend my event! Who gave him an invitation in the first place? Ivy? I loved her so much, but damn, she was making my blood boil.I gritted my teeth, my fists clenching tightly as I downed the contents of my glass. Grabbing a fresh glass of wine f
Asher's POVThe moment Ivy's hand shot up in a wave, my stomach twisted. I followed her gaze, and there he was - Dexter. The man who had appeared in her stories countless times, the one draped all over her during that damn vacation.My jaw tightened, fists clenching as she raised her glass to me with a smug smile and sashayed away. It took every ounce of restraint not to lose it right there.She’d brought him here, fully aware of what it would do to me. I wasn’t sure what angered me more - her audacity or his willingness to show up.The sea of cameras and curious onlookers forced me to keep my composure. This wasn’t just about me; if a scandal broke, Ivy would suffer too. Despite everything, I didn’t want that for her.Yet, the thought of her entertaining another man set my blood boiling. I hated how powerless I felt— torn between fury and guilt.I knew what I’d done to her. I had no right to demand loyalty when I hadn’t proven my innocence. But those damning pictures with Taylor were
Ivy’s POVThe limo rolled to a stop, the glow of the red carpet lights pouring through the tinted windows. I kept my gaze forward, my jaw clenched tight.This wasn’t the place for tears or anger - at least not the kind anyone could see.“Ivy, are you okay?” he asked, his voice soft enough to almost make me forget why I hated him right now. Almost.“You know why I’m here,” I replied curtly, my tone sharp and biting.He looked down, his face shadowed with shame. “Ivy, I’d do anything to make you forgive me.”I whipped my head toward him, glaring. “You should have thought about that before you took her to bed.”He exhaled heavily, rubbing his temples as if trying to erase his mistakes. “I have no memory of that night. Ivy, I’d never do anything to hurt you.”Silence fell between us, broken only by the frenzy of voices outside and the flashing lights from the cameras. Security had formed a barricade around the car. My heart ached, but my anger was louder.“And yet you did,” I muttered, my
Asher’s POVI stepped into the family mansion. The air inside was warm, with the scent of freshly prepared food wafting from the dining room.There, sprawled at the table like she owned the world, was Janine - her legs propped up on the polished surface, as if she had no idea what decorum meant.Servants bustled around her, setting plates and dishes on the wide table, their expressions carefully neutral.“If it isn’t my evil little sister,” I stated, arching a brow at her casual insolence.She turned to me with a giggle, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Hello, my favorite big brother!” she chirped in a sweet tone of voice.I rolled my eyes all the way to the back of my head.Before I could reply, Marcus strolled in, a bottle of wine dangling from his hand. “I heard that, Janine,” he said in his usual unbothered manner.Janine rolled her eyes dramatically. “It’s no secret that Asher is my favorite. You never really had my time, Marcus,” she retorted with a teasing grin.Marcus slid i
Ivy’s POVThe wineglass hovered near my lips as I froze. Slowly, I turned to face him, my smirk faltering as my gaze locked onto the storm brewing in his eyes.“Can we talk?” His tone was calm, but the tension in his jaw betrayed him.I arched an eyebrow, letting a flicker of defiance cross my face. “What do you want?” I kept my voice even, but my heart clenched in frustration at his audacity.Marsha glanced between us, visibly uncomfortable. “I’ll… give you two a moment,” she murmured before turning to leave. Miles followed her out.But then Asher stepped closer. Too close. His presence loomed over me, the space between us shrinking until I could feel the weight of his gaze. I swallowed. “I don’t know where to start from, Ivy,” he said, his voice low and firm. “I’m really sorry, about...”I tilted my head, taking a deliberate sip of my wine, savoring the burn as it slid down my throat. Setting the glass down on the counter, I met his gaze head-on. “What part are you actually sorry fo