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
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
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
Avery's POVWithout acknowledging her protest, he pointed at the first photograph, expecting her to listen to him.“Charles Kensington,” he began. “Heir to the Kensington shipping empire. His family controls nearly half the trade routes along the East Coast. A man like him would ensure your financial security for a lifetime.” he explained.Avery eyed the picture. Charles was in his late thirties, clean-shaven, with the kind of sharp features that spoke of old money and entitlement. Somehow like Asher, but something was different with Charles. She just couldn't place it.He looked stiff, like someone who had never laughed a day in his life. Did grandfather really think that this man was suiting for her? She has kids and he was suggesting she marry a stuck-up asshole like this.She looked back at her grandfather. “Security? I don’t need security. I have more than enough money of my own, thanks to Henry.” Avery muttered.Henry had left a huge amount of money for her. The family knew abou