Her Comfort

Tom's palm met Asher's cheek in a resounding slap. A small pool of blood oozed from the cut on his cheek caused by his ring. Asher balled his hands into tight fists in an attempt to keep himself from returning the gesture. Initially, when his dad used to beat him, he would wrap around his legs and beg for mercy. He would apologize even when he wasn't wrong. The little boy just wanted his dad's affection. He wanted him to love him like he loved Ashton. But his dad never showed him mercy, much less love. He would beat him until he fainted. Sometimes Asher felt that his dad wanted him to die. Too bad, death didn't want him either.

"I will not have you ruin my reputation," Mr. Carter asserted with another striking slap causing his face to whip the other side. His brows knitted as he heard a ringing in his ear. He wasn't allowed to dwell much on it as Tom seized his chin and jerked his face towards him.

"Why did you mangle Clark's car?" Tom demanded in a venom-laced tone. Tom's