Asher's POV"I understand that you don't want to worry your father, but this is all for your good and ours. We don't know what will happen in the future. It might not be Martin who messes up again, but it could be his parents or his girlfriend, Caroline. Daphne, I'm just worried about you. I hope you understand my decision."Daphne hesitated. She seemed to be thinking about something and was worried about it. I waited for Daphne to give her decision. I didn't want her to rush into a decision."I'll wait until you agree. You'd better think it over."I said hopefully. All for her and for her sake, too.Daphne took my hand and said with trembling lips. "Okay. You can explain to my father. But tell him not to blame me for choosing the wrong partner."Daphne seemed anxious that her father would curse Martin severely. We both knew how tough and unbeatable Mr. Zannelith was. The old man would have been hurt to know that his favorite daughter had been almost raped and murdered. But I was rel
Daphne's PoVI woke up with Asher still holding me very tightly. We had slept together in my room for the past two nights because I felt paranoid that someone would break back into the house, even though Asher had taken care of the security yesterday. He hired some people and installed emergency alarms at several points of the home, including my room, which was fitted with a button so I could press it when someone came inside.I turned my body over and looked at Asher intently. He's even more handsome in this sleeping position. My movement seemed to wake Asher up. He opened his eyes and blinked a few times."Are you awake?" He asked in a hoarse voice. Asher moved closer and kissed me."Just now," I replied with a happy face. I like this romantic morning."We're not working today," Asher told me. My eyebrows shot up. "Three days. You should recover first." Asher said.I felt ready to work, but I couldn't ignore Asher's warning. He had worked hard to take care of me yesterday. Every two
Asher's POV"Come on, Asher. Let's get ready to meet that rancid bastard. I can't wait to teach him a lesson. I'll make sure he never forgets this for the rest of his life." Joan was in high spirits as she descended the stairs. She entered her car with a flourish. The man didn't usually behave like this. The Joan I knew was an iron-fisted and cold-hearted businessman. But when it came to his daughter, he was unforgiving. Typical of a true father.We didn't go with a private driver. It was just me and Joan. This time, I drove and she sat beside me. Joan seemed to be thinking about something. Her forehead was folded.Half an hour later, we arrived at the prison in the center of the city. Joan got out impatiently as soon as I parked my car.I immediately got out and followed Joan, who took long strides. Some of the warders who passed us looked down. Everyone knew who Joan was and how much influence she had in this town. Joan continued walking down the hallway and stopped at the far end w
Asher's POV"Are we going home now?" I asked Joan, who was now busy with her cigarette."I thought you quit a long time ago." I joked to Joan, who was now glancing at me. Joan and I were like close friends even though she was my savior. We weren't too far apart. Let's say I'm halfway between Joan and Daphne's ages. I'm even confused about my position now. Joan's presence makes me feel too old for Daphne. I was like an uncle to Daphne instead of a lover, although it was only natural for Daphne to have a lover more senior than her when she was of legal age."Business has been stressing me out a lot lately. I need an outlet. You know what I mean?" Joan leered at me. As a fellow adult male, of course, I understood. Joan no longer had a wife, and she was a widower after a long time. Many women were queuing up to be his girlfriend. Many even openly offered to be his wife. But Joan rejected them all because he loved his wife very much.Joan always told me about her memories with Kathrine. Da
Daphne's POVDad really enjoyed his breakfast. It's been a long time since I've seen him at home in a situation like this. Father spooned his food with gusto. He was smiling."It's been a long time since I've eaten porridge like this. It reminds me of the sweet memories of this house." Father looked at me with a smile."Of course, Mr. Joan. This porridge is a recipe from your late wife's cookbook." The cook leaned on the edge of the stove with a satisfied face."Yes. You're right, Madison. All your cooking reminds me of my late wife, and it makes me feel like I'm really home."You were always enthusiastic whenever the conversation turned to my late mother. Dad always loved mom. That's why he never remarried. Father went back to enjoying his breakfast, and he mumbled his satisfaction with this morning's meal. Father saw me, and I waited. He must have something to say."I think you should stop pretending ...." Father said carefully.I understood what he meant. I knew that one day, my
Daphne's POV"You said you were going to tell me who you really are. Why do you still want to be an employee? You should be the boss." Dad stood in my room. One hand was around his waist, and the other was holding onto the door."Dad ....""I'm just asking," my father said with an objecting face. I was doing my thick makeup because I wanted to cover up the bruises around my eyes and temples. I didn't want people to wonder. My nature of not liking to be the center of attention turned out to be troublesome. I was always trying so hard to be an ordinary person who wasn't considered. But my date with Asher being outed ruined everything. People who didn't know me at first now knew who I was. I don't like popularity. Especially when everyone finds out that I'm a Zannelis, they'll definitely shine the spotlight on me even more, and I'll lose my personal space."I still have responsibilities to my job," I told my father. Father nodded his head."It's good that you're learning to be responsibl
Daphne's POVI was so happy that Sherley was paying so much attention to me. She even gasped when she saw the bruise on my temple. "Tell me who it is, Daphne.""I'll tell you at lunchtime. You'd better go back to your place first. I want to finish my work." Sherley nodded and left. I went back to my can-do attitude and became the quiet, professional person I had always been.I delivered the file Max handed me and behaved as usual. But the whispers around are unavoidable. Anna and her gang confront me in the restroom when I want to do my makeup."So... where have you been for the past five days?" Anna asked sarcastically. After Caroline's cover was blown, she was still being arrogant and mean to me. Sherley had once told me that Anna didn't like seeing other people happy, and she hated people with bad luck. She would hate them to the core."None of your business, Anna." I pushed Anna, who was blocking my way."How arrogant of you, Daphne. Just because you're our boss's girlfriend, you
Daphne's POVAsher and I arrived just as the break was about to end. We parted ways in the lobby because Asher had to go to a meeting. Apparently, Asher just wanted to pick me up and make sure I got to the office safely. There's even a bodyguard who was deliberately hired to guard the entrance to the back door of this office. All my movements outside were highly observed. Asher and my father were very worried about me after everything that happened, even though they had both witnessed how Martin rotted in prison.Anna confronted me again. She was with Cecilia this time. I don't understand why people like Anna like to interfere in other people's private lives so much. But as my father said, the middle class and the lower class are always competing, and they hate to see someone in their class get a life-changing miracle."Look who came late," Anna said loudly and made the other workers notice her.I walked over to Anna. "You still want to bother me?" I asked coldly."You're shameless. Y
Daphne's POV"Good morning, Mommy!"My mornings were never as peaceful as before. Every time I opened my eyes, two smiling faces welcomed the morning with me.Asher put Cecilio on the bed. My sweet baby walked quickly to me. He smacked my face in greeting. I kissed his cheek affectionately. Asher put on his suit this morning. He was leaving for another business trip."You'll be long?" I haven't been happy about Asher leaving on his business trip lately. I don't know. I felt jealous that Asher's attention wasn't focused entirely on our little family. I even removed myself from my father's legacy company and had my confidant take care of it even though I monitored his business movements. But I'm not fully there anymore because I want to dedicate my life to caring for our precious Cecilio.Asher just shrugged. He kissed me and kissed Cecilio some more. I smiled to see that my husband was really a good father. I smoothed my hair for a while and took Cecilio from his arms. I walked Asher a
Daphne's POV"I'm not pregnant. No way."I turned around and tried to deny it. Asher narrowed his eyes, coming closer. I took three steps away from him. My emotions were in turmoil. I didn't even dare to touch my own stomach. This feels... like a dream. I was going to be a mother.In a few seconds, the image of my mother appeared in my mind, like a meteor that suddenly passed by in the summer sky and then disappeared instantly. I could feel again how tender and warm my mother's love was. Being a mother is a form of great responsibility full of complex problems and a lot of love.I can't believe I'm about to experience it, too."Honey?" Asher called out to me. I turned my head towards my handsome husband. Asher looked stiff now, and he said carefully."Are you... are you child-free?"This strange feeling seemed like rejection and denial to Asher. He could only judge the outside. But me, this child is inside me, and she will grow. It's like climbing the top tower of happiness to get a c
Daphne's POVWe're in Hawaii this week. Asher had honeymoon plans beyond my expectations. Every week, we changed places. The first week, Asher took me to the Maldives. We spent the whole week swimming, snorkelling, sunbathing, making hot love on the beach and letting our naked bodies burn in the sun. Then, it was all over again at night, making love under the stars."I want more kids from you, baby," Asher told me before he moaned on top of me and dropped his body. I smiled satisfactorily at Asher's sweaty face, and he always kissed me afterwards."I meant what I said, baby." Asher reiterated his desire for me. He took my casual attitude as insincerity."I'm also serious about giving you whatever you want, My sugar daddy." My hand mischievously played with his nipple. Asher let out a long sigh, and he stiffened again."Nasty girl. You're naughty, sweetheart.""Yes, Daddy?""You must get punished." Asher narrowed his eyes. He pretended to be angry and threatening. I love this game. I l
Daphne's PoVMy body feels so light, like cotton. It's probably due to the effects of fatigue after making hot love with Asher last night. I felt relieved after pulling back the blanket with my eyes closed. There wasn't a single thread weighing down this body. As I opened my eyes slowly and received the sunlight into my eyepiece, Asher's face appeared with his seductive smile above me."Good morning, wife." Asher stole a quick kiss. I rubbed my eyes and blinked repeatedly. I know this isn't a dream, but it all feels too good to be true. A pleasantly arranged room and a handsome husband who... wait! Why is Asher so neat this morning? He even took a shower. There were traces of water in his hair."We just had a party, and you're going to work?" I felt my mood fall apart instantly.Asher laughed. "Who wants to work on such a beautiful day? Honey, did you forget that I'm the boss?" Asher came closer and held my chin to turn my face to his. I refused and looked the other way."Who else, if
Daphne's PoVAsher carried me to the bridal room that had been decorated in such a way. Both of us were even more surprised to see that the room's lights were red. There was a candle burning in the corner of the room, and red lingerie and a whip were provided.Asher laid me down slowly. He kissed me fiercely and roughly. There was nothing I could do but surrender to all his kisses. Asher lowered my clothes slowly."Do you want to wear that?" he asked while looking at the red lingerie lit up like the lingerie of a prostitute who became a pole dancer at the same time."Sure. But you have to put it on for me." I moved wildly and mischievously. Asher followed my game. She became the villain, preparing to capture and strip me. I walked away from him with my clothes half undone and looked at him as if I was terrified."Come here, My Baby girl." Asher walked away, grunting harshly. I felt that the more naughty he looked, the sexier he became. The game became more challenging as I managed to
Asher's PoVI'm at the office of the city's top lawyer. Daphne and I were taking care of the prenuptial agreement. All property before marriage belongs to each of them, and property after marriage will be jointly owned."Are you sure about your decision? The assets after marriage that are joint will cause you to lose the assets that you have acquired, let alone any losses. I suggest that the assets be separated." The lawyer gave me and Daphne some advice. Daphne and I had some time to negotiate. We finally agreed that the assets would be separated. Daphne said that she and I just needed the loyalty to support each other. In the future, if I suffered a loss or my company collapsed, Daphne's company would not be affected.We updated our wishes about the prenuptial agreement and discussed it as thoroughly as possible. Daphne and I continued to negotiate until we got what we wanted very carefully.After discussing the pre-nuptial agreement, Daphne and I went for a dress fitting. Daphne wa
Daphne's POVDad apologized to Asher because he couldn't control his temper and beat Asher up. I didn't see that Asher's temples were swollen from the punches my father had thrown. I thought Asher looked down because he was afraid of my father's anger. It turned out that he did it because he didn't want any misunderstanding between me and my father.Of course, my emotions exploded many times over. Who can stand to see their partner battered? I immediately accused my father of being the culprit, and he immediately apologized to Asher."I'm sorry. I'm sorry," Dad said to Asher."No problem," Asher replied.It was easy for Asher to forgive my father for making his face battered. Maybe Asher could accept it, but not me. I can't forgive you if you did this because you think you have power over Asher, and you can do whatever you want. But he denied all my accusations and said he did this purely because he was worried about my situation."You should have thought about the consequences of you
Daphne's PoVI was discharged after the knife wound from the robbery was just a scratch. Asher looked awkwardly at the doctor, who promised to keep what he saw a secret. But we were both embarrassed already.Asher went back to work. He forbade me from going out and traveling without a bodyguard. I objected. But this time, Asher didn't want to be contradicted. He said that his decision was inviolable. I gave in on the condition that all the bodyguards had to look sketchy while guarding me. Asher agreed and told them all to carry weapons. Again, I felt uncomfortable being rich and thought how easy it would be to be ordinary. Of course, my wish was severely criticized by Sherley, who called me an ungrateful person."If I were you, I'd have my bodyguards walk behind me and follow me wherever I go," he said with annoyance every time he had to listen to my outbursts that he always considered unreasonable."I'm not kidding, Sherley. This was all very annoying. I feel like there's CCTV everyw
Daphne's PoVThis is the first time I've seen Asher this panicked. I've never seen him this scared before. I love him a lot, but I didn't know that Asher was this weak when he lost the person he loved. Asher shamelessly cried over me in front of many people. Destroying his image of a manly man who was handsome, rich, and powerful.Asher didn't want to leave me, and when I told him to go home to get a change of clothes and buy some food, he refused. Asher sent someone to bring everything for both of us. He said that this hospital belonged to his future business partner. I asked who Asher referred to, and he promised to introduce me to Jamie and Josh.The room I was staying in was not like a typical hospital room that smelled of medicine and was full of white, bright lights that nauseated my eyesight. This room had automatic dimmable lighting. There was a fridge, a cupboard, a television, and a big sofa. The bed I was on wasn't a single-person bed either. It's more like a hotel room tha