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18.
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-03-01 23:26:30
Bab terkait
Mistaken Identity 19.
Asher’s POV Of all the scenerios that Asher ran through his head of why his grandmother urgently wanted to see him, meeting a woman was not on the list. Before Asher could fully process his irritation, Serena’s voice broke through his thoughts.“Well.”He turned to her, watching as she moved toward one of the armchairs and gracefully took a seat. She crossed one leg over the other, completely at ease. This meeting or whatever was not going to be long, so he wondered why she was taking a seat.“That was entertaining,” she mused, resting her chin on her hand and smiling at him.Asher arched a brow, still standing. He didn’t return the smile at all. “Glad you think so.” He muttered.She smirked. “You look like you’d rather be anywhere else.” She said in a low voice. If there was one thing he had noticed about Serena since she walked into the sunroom, it had to be the overconfidence she had in herself. She was putting up a bold stance and Asher couldn’t wait to wipe that stupid smile o
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-02Mistaken Identity 20.
Asher’s POV He guarded his face well, making sure that his face was devoid of any emotion. “You’ll have to be more specific.” Asher said with a sly grin on his face.Serena scoffed, crossing her legs as she studied him. “Right. Because you’ve had quite a few scandals, haven’t you?” she jabbed.He’s had a few scandals here and there that didn’t last for long. It was just some bloggers and competitors trying to bring him down. Another bigger news always moved him out of the limelight.Asher merely shrugged. “Occupational hazard.” He said, looking unconcerned, even though it betrayed how he was feeling at the moment. Something was not right and he hoped that Serena was just bluffing.She smirked. “Check the tabloids, then. See what they’re saying about you this time.” She muttered. Her voice sounding more confident than before.That made him chuckle, low and amused. “You think I care about what’s written in the tabloids?” he fired at her.There was no way he was going to show Serena tha
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-03Mistaken Identity 21.
Avery’s POVAvery had expected to wake up to headlines about her grandfather’s grand 80th birthday celebration, filled with extravagant praises and glowing tributes to what kind of man he was. And perhaps her grandfather announcing the expensive presents that he received.Instead, the internet was buzzing with another kind of news, something entirely different from the celebration.Her.Or more specifically, the mystery woman who had spent the night at the party with Asher Storm, Since her name was not mentioned in the headlines.she didn't know if it was intentional or not because whoever had given the pictures to the press had to have known who was in it. She could still clearly see herself in the picture and anyone looking deeply would see her too.She sat frozen at the kitchen counter, her tablet in her hands, scrolling through the endless stream of headlines. Never did she imagine that her first event in the states would blow up this way.‘Who is the woman with Asher Storm?’ One
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-04Mistaken Identity 22.
Avery’s POV Avery’s voice was softer this time, cautious. This was no longer about the torn book, it was something else. Neal wouldn’t have just blurted out a statement like that. “What do you mean, baby?” She asked him.“Your father is Henry, and I told you that he’s no longer with us. Not because he couldn’t, but because he’s dead…” she added for emphasis sake.Neal looked at her, blinking innocently like he had just not made a statement that shook her. “Not Henry.” He muttered.Avery stiffened. Henry was their father, that was what she had been told when she had woken up from her six months coma. She had made sure that Noel and Neal knew who their father was, shown them pictures of Henry that had been shown to her.She took in a deep breath. “Then who? If Henry isn’t your father, who are you talking about?” She asked him in an uncertain voice. Neal couldn’t possibly be seeing or imagining things, right?Neal’s eyes brightened as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. It’s
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-05Mistaken Identity 23.
Avery’s POVAvery stared at the door for a long second, her heart pounding as the doornell rang.She wasn’t ready for this at all. She wasn’t ready to even meet Asher, especially after the mess that had just happened with Neal. Yet, Asher was there, outside her door. He had arrived in less than ten minutes, like he had already been on his way before he even called. That was the only explanation as to why it took him less than twenty minutes to show up. At least with twenty minutes, she had time to think, but now…The doorbell rang again, pulling her from her thoughts. She couldn’t keep him waiting outside. She had a feeling that Asher was the kind of man who broke down doors to enter a place where he was restricted from entering.Avery exhaled sharply, smoothing down her blouse before she took a step further and pulled the door open.And there he was. Asher Storm.In all his glory, standing on her doorstep, tall, composed, and an unreadable expression on his face. She had thought he
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-06Mistaken Identity 24.
Avery's POVThe room was too quiet, filled only with the sound of Neal’s steady breathing against Asher’s chest. Her son's face looked peaceful, satisfied; he was content being in Asher's arm.Was this Neal's silent cry for a father? He had not mentioned it before, nor had it bothered them. Why now? Why had he decided to choose Asher to take that place. why not Julian.Avery felt like she was watching something she wasn’t meant to see; something private, something unspoken. This was the bond that should exist between a father and his son, and it hurt her that Neal and Noel had never experienced this kind of love before.She was tempted to pull them apart, but her heart screamed at her to let them be. Let Neal experience this at least once in his life. Let him feel the warmth of being in his father's arms; though in reality, Asher was not his father.Asher hadn’t moved, but his grip on Neal had shifted. It was no longer hesitant, no longer uncertain. It was protective. It was as if he
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-07Mistaken Identity 25.
Avery's POV Avery was still thinking about Asher’s request as she buckled the boys’ seatbelts in the back seat of the car. She had told him that she would think about it and that she needed more time.She had felt overwhelmed with Asher's presence the previous day, that it still lingered in her mind. The way he looked at her when the boys were not looking or talking to him. The way he had circled his arms around her to assist her get something at the top cabinet.Avery sighed, shaking her head as if to clear her thoughts. She was in her sons school and this was not the right place or time to be thinking about such thing.The warm afternoon sun filtered through the windshield, casting soft shadows across the dashboard. She would have to drive with that sun reflecting on her face. At least,she had not forgotten to carry her sunshades when leaving the house.A gentle breeze carried the scent of freshly cut grass and the distant chatter of children still lingering near the school gates.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-08Mistaken Identity 26.
Avery's POVAvery was getting tired of arguing or correcting her sons. It was as if the more she emphasized on the fact that Asher was not their father, the more they sounded it in her ears. She turned in her seat, blinking at Neal, trying to make sense of what she had just heard."Asher said that?" she asked slowly.Neal grinned, nodding. "Yup!" He said cheerfully.Avery sighed, shaking her head. She had no doubt Asher had only said that because Neal had backed him into a corner with his relentless insistence. With the way they were making requests and asking Asher to promise them this or that, she knew that he must have agreed to please them. But still… hearing those words aloud made something shift in her chest.Avery sighed. "Asher probably just said that to make you happy," she said, choosing her words carefully. She didn't want to burst their hopes and at the same time, she wanted them to face reality."But he meant it!" Neal argued. Avery bit the inside of her cheek, inhaling
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-09
Bab terbaru
Mistaken Identity 42.
Asher’s POVBy the time Asher’s SUV pulled up to Avery’s house, the sky was a deep shade of indigo, the streetlights casting a soft glow over the quiet neighborhood. He had exhausted the thirty minutes and more and he hoped that Avery wasn’t the type to hold someone by their words.The moment the vehicle stopped, he didn’t wait for the driver to open his door—he pushed the door open and stepped out immediately. His long strides taking him straight to the entrance of Avery’s building, and before long, he was at her front door. The tension in his chest hadn’t eased since the moment she had called. Something was wrong, it kept on ringing in his head. He could hear it in her voice, sense it in the hesitation, which was so unlike her.He rang the doorbell and waited, hoping she would open up fast. What if she had not wanted to call him in the first place, and had realized her mistake and now, no longer needed him to show up.Barely a second later after his knock, hurried footsteps sounded
Mistaken Identity 41.
Asher’s POVSerena, as if sensing his discomfort, chuckled lightly. “I think you’re misunderstanding me, Asher,” she said, her voice dripping with amusement. She glanced at her watch. “Actually, you do have an appointment with me. Right now.” She said.Asher narrowed his eyes, his patience thinning with every passing second. He had neither the time nor the interest to entertain Serena Laurent. His priority right now was Avery.He didn’t have any appointment with Serena, not now, not another day. Why should he? What would they be discussing about in his office.“I don’t have an appointment with you,” he said firmly, glancing at his watch again. Nine minutes behind schedule now. The least he could do was ten minutes and he was leaving immediately he cleared things with her.Serena smirked, tapping the screen of her phone before lifting her gaze to his. “Actually, you do.” She muttered, this time in a serious voice that would make anyone believe that she was anything but professional.As
Mistaken Identity 40.
Asher’s POVAsher was already expecting Nolan to have called his driver the moment he had left his office, before he got to the ground floor of the company, so he wasn’t surprised when he saw the black SUV waiting at the curb. With the way he had rushed out of his office after hearing Avery’s quiet and tensed voice, Nolan must have sensed the urgency and acted accordingly.Though Asher would have loved to drive to Avery’s house himself, perhaps in a sport car that was faster, to save time, but he still appreciated the SUV. At least he would not be thinking while driving. A very risky move.He stepped out of the company, nodding to the people that were greeting him. He didn’t bother to stop and entertain them, especially the ones he knew well. Asher strode towards the SUV that was waiting, ready to slide into the backseat and head straight to Avery’s place. But then, something made him stop short.There were two identical black SUVs parked at the entrance which confused him the more.
Mistaken Identity 39.
Asher's POVNolan sighed and stood up. Asher expected him to leave, but he didn’t. Instead, he remained standing in front of Asher’s desk, arms crossed, watching him with that sharp, knowing gaze.“I don’t like that look on your face,” Nolan muttered.Asher arched a brow. “What look?” he asked.“The one that says you’re about to go nuclear,” Nolan replied, biting his lower lip.Asher let out a humorless chuckle. “If Wellesley wants to play games, I’m making sure he regrets it,” he said with a wide smile.Nolan sighed. “I get it, I do. But this isn’t just business anymore, Asher. This is personal,” he stated.Asher leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping against the desk. He wasn’t the one who started this; he was only continuing what Mr. Wellesley had started.“It was personal the second he dragged Avery and the boys into this. The second he tried to control her life like she’s some puppet by releasing those pictures.” His voice was calm, but there was steel underneath it.Asher kne
Mistaken Identity 38
Asher's POVAsher leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling for a moment before finally answering. "She's been through a lot. And I don't want to be another complication in her life. I want to take it slowly, so it doesn't feel rushed. I want her to feel, Nolan." He explained.He knew how he usually was with his emotions. Asher usually came on strong and tends to be very dominant and assertive, especially when it came to people he cared about. But with Avery, there was this need to handle her with a lot of care and affection.Asher had an idea of what Avery had been through and had to face in her life. He couldn't imagine waking up from an accident after six months, and then having a child. Not just one, but two. The mental trauma that she had to face knowing that she had not just almost lost her life, but also her memories, would be devastating.Staying in the Wellesley family would also be traumatizing for anyone who didn't carry the Wellesley blood. He knew Mr. Wellesley and
Mistaken Identity 37.
Asher's POVNolan scoffed, shaking his head. "Yeah, it's Avery, huh? I know. She's been on your mind since that day at the mall." He muttered.Asher rolled his eyes and grabbed the document again, pretending to focus. He hoped that his lack of response would give Nolan the message that he's not interested in having this discussion with him at all.Of course, Nolan knew. The guy was like his shadow. Come to think of it, Asher had not been this distracted from work for a very long time. He was always laser focused and effective, so it was easy for Nolan to notice that he was not 100% focused.Nolan must have picked up on a thing or two from their interactions and his activities. And honestly, Asher wouldn't be surprised if Nolan knew more than he was letting on.Asher let out a slow breath, flipping through the document as if that would be enough to dismiss theconversation. But Nolan wasn't one to let things slide so easily, especially not when he smelled something worth digging into.
Mistaken Identity 36.
Asher's POVThe only thing that had been on Asher's mind since he had walked into his office that morning was Avery and the boys. Hell, even after he left Avery's place last night, they still lingered in his thoughts.No matter how much he tried to push the thoughts away, they kept resurfacing, filling his mind with memories of the previous day. He keeps checking the time, wondering when he would see them again. It wasn't just Avery, but the boys too.Spending time with them had done something to him-something he hadn't been prepared for. It made his heart beat faster and brought that longing for a family. Not that he didn't have one; he did, but he wanted a family of his own.Seeing Avery laugh, watching the boys run around without a care in the world, had warmed a part of his heart that he had long buried. It felt... right. And that scared him more than he was willing to admit.At first, it had been about finding Raina Ross, then proving that Avery Wellesley was Raina Ross and the r
Mistaken Identity 35.
Avery's POV He glared at her, his anger clearly showing on his face. But there was something else beneath his anger—something that felt like fear. He feared the Storms and she was going to use that against him.For the first time, she wondered what grandfather Wellesley wasn’t telling her. Was it her past or his past. She had not seen anything about a conflict between the Wellesley and the Storms. Hell, he had invited the Storms to his birthday celebration, though only Asher had showed up.Avery’s anger boiled over. “If you want anyone to get married, perhaps you should consider your daughters and leave me the hell alone!” she snapped.They were both unmarried and had the Wellesley blood running through their veins. They would be better candidates than her.Grandfather only laughed, the sound low and humorless, like she had made a useless comment. “You think I haven’t tried them? You must be joking.” His eyes gleamed with something dark, something final. “End whatever business you ha
Mistaken Identity 34.
Avery's POVShe took a step forward, her voice firm. “And what if I was interested in him? At least he wouldn’t be a business deal disguised as a husband.” she said.At this point, Avery didn't care about what he was going to say or do with her. She had not known Asher for long, but she felt the need to be on his side.Grandfather slammed his palm on the table. “That man is nothing but trouble! He’s not one of us! The Storms have always been reckless, always standing below us, the Wellesleys, in status and power. Do you really think I’d let you throw away your future on a man who can’t even secure his own?” he spat.Avery swallowed the anger rising in her throat. This was it. Grandfather was really intimidated by the storm. She wondered if they had any history between them; the Storms and the Wellesleys, that would cause him to act this way. …And below us? She didn't know if he was exaggerating or simply denying reality, but it was an obvious and clear fact to everyone that no family
