"Ashton, I implore you. Marry my sister."At that moment, Ashton shook his head repeatedly. Instead of accepting Miranda's offer to marry her sister again, he adamantly rejected his wife's request.Ashton Wolf, a man working as a contractor and lecturer, had officially married Miranda Stone, a designer, just three months ago. Despite knowing from the beginning, before deciding to marry, that Miranda was suffering from stage four brain gland cancer, he chose to maintain the relationship and make her being his wife.However, Miranda's condition had worsened over time, and she was currently hospitalized. Worried about leaving Ashton alone and with no one to care for him, Miranda asked her husband to marry her sister, especially since Alice was also an orphan, with no one to care for her."No. I don't want to!" Ashton flatly refused. "Besides, why should I marry Alice? I love you, Miranda, not someone else.""Ashton... Alice is my sister. Besides, I can't make you happy. I am seriously il
"What?! Marry Ashton?""Yes. I beg you, please marry and become Ashton's wife after I'm gone."Alice shook her head repeatedly. Just arriving at the hospital, she was already confronted with an unreasonable request.Last night, after returning from class, Miranda contacted Alice. The woman, six years older than Alice, asked her to come to the hospital immediately.In essence, Miranda and Alice were just stepsiblings. Alice was originally the baby brought by Rauf Alfarezi when he married Fatima, Miranda's mother, who had been a widow for a long time.Being cared for together made Miranda cherish Alice as a real sister. Until Fatima passed away, Alice stayed with Miranda, as Rauf himself disappeared, leaving the two of them behind.During last night's phone call, Miranda asked Alice to come quickly, claiming she had something important to discuss. Alice had no idea and never expected that her sister would suddenly ask her to marry her brother-in-law upon arriving at the hospital room."
Ashton was truly overwhelmed by sadness. On the fourth day after Miranda's departure, he still seemed to linger in the atmosphere of mourning. Many family members had tried to console him, but Ashton appeared to continue closing himself off. It was as if Miranda's departure had truly shattered his life.He couldn't even bring himself to start the day for work. Engaging in even the slightest activities, he seemed completely devoid of enthusiasm. It was as if the center of life within Ashton had suddenly stopped rotating forcibly."Ashton, how long are you going to be like this? It's not good to linger in sadness for too long," Zein expressed his deep concern. Never before had he seen his son so deeply distressed."Mama is sure that Miranda wouldn't want you to mourn her like this," Hana added. Alongside her husband, she tried to make Ashton understand and put an end to his grief. After all, there was no benefit in sinking too deep into sorrow."From the beginning, I knew that Miranda
Upon the departure of her sister and to avoid unnecessary back-and-forths during mourning events, Hana asked Alice to stay at Ashton's house for a few days.Feeling that her time was sufficient, and also not wanting to overstay her welcome at her late brother-in-law's house, Alice decided to bid farewell. Moreover, she had many tasks and responsibilities to attend to.Since Ashton's parents happened to be staying there as well, Alice chose to say her goodbyes before leaving. She wanted to express her gratitude for the hospitality she received during her stay."Aunt. Uncle..." Alice greeted as she approached Hana and Zein, who were sitting in the living room. "I want to say goodbye for now."Hana and Zein both looked up, offering warm smiles in response to Alice's words."Why the rush?"Alice smiled politely and shook her head. She didn't want to overstay her welcome, and there were academic and work responsibilities waiting for her."I have to leave because there are matters I need to
Alice looked down shyly. In front of her, Hana Syanaz was busy sorting through and selecting clothes for her to wear later.Like Ashton's previous statement, today the birth mother of the man came to pick up Alice and even helped pack her belongings. Instead of taking Alice straight home to Ashton's residence, Hana made a detour to one of the famous boutiques.Alice thought that the mother-in-law of her late stepbrother stopped by intentionally because she wanted to buy clothes or was looking for something.However, Alice's assumption was completely wrong. As soon as they entered the boutique, she found out that Hana was actually looking for clothes for Alice to wear in the solemnization ceremony.Yes, Alice had to be aware. Once again, quoting Ashton's words from last night, whether they liked it or not, the two of them had to prepare because the day after tomorrow, they would soon be getting married, as promised to the late Miranda."Alice.""Alice Ashborne."The baritone voice of t
Ashton occasionally appeared to be a little bow-headed. Taking deep breaths repeatedly, the man tried to dispel the nervousness that now enveloped him, filling him. Even though this wasn't his first experience getting married. Moreover, despite the tagline of no love involved, he couldn't deceive himself that the nervous feeling still haunted him.Meanwhile, right beside him, sat El Rumi. The sharp-nosed man occasionally engaged Ashton in conversation. Intentionally teasing. The aim was to keep his older brother from being too tense through each step of the wedding process unfolding tonight."Just relax. Don't keep your face all tense and nervous like that. Just treat it like replacing a dry towel. Besides, you're a Pro, meaning you have experience with marriage, right?"Ashton immediately looked up, then turned. Staring sharply, then putting on a slightly annoyed expression. It seemed unfair that his younger brother called him a pro at marriage. Did they think he had been married mul
"Should I go to the room first? Alone?"After being instructed by his siblings and cousins to rest immediately, Ashton immediately invited Alice to go to his room. Instead of continuing to be the subject of ridicule, he'd rather avoid it altogether. Otherwise, the temptations and teasing from his cousins could be even worse than before.However, as he was about to climb the stairs to the second floor, the tall and handsome man stopped in his tracks. Once again, his name was called, this time coming from his father who asked him to bid farewell to distant relatives who were about to leave."Yeah. Why? You scared?" Ashton turned around. His eyes coldly met the gaze of the woman who was now his wife. "You heard Abi calling me just now, right?""No, it's not like that." Alice quickly shook her head. She was just asking. Why was Ashton getting so touchy?"So what's the problem then? Or do you want me to carry you to the room?"Alice blinked. She was momentarily surprised by her husband's b
Alice feels like she just wants to escape from campus. She remembers well that today there's a schedule where Ashton will be teaching at her campus. Previously, when she was still his sister-in-law, Alice was just relaxed. Despite rarely, and even hardly ever, exchanging greetings outside of academic matters, she didn't care much about Ashton's presence or his cold demeanor towards the students. But now, especially after yesterday's incident, Alice feels traumatized. She's even afraid of meeting or facing her husband. Imagine. After shouting at her and making her cry, Ashton didn't apologize at all. He even acted casually, as if nothing had happened between them. The man even went as far as giving a warning which made Alice feel uncomfortable again."Never dare to touch something that doesn't belong to you. If I catch you damaging property again in the future, not only will you change rooms, I might even consider moving you out of this house."Alice thought, after marriage, her husba