Chapter 57

Asher pov 

I stood there with a pen, waiting for her to write. She could not talk, since she was mute, but her notepad served as her way to communicate.

But it stayed shut, and her pen was tight in her grip.

"Come on, write something," I said, looking at the notepad. "Tell me if you agree."

Yet she just stood still, not moving, as the wind softly rustled the leaves.

"Alright, I'll wait," I said, reaching for her hands, which she pulled away.

Taking a deep breath, she turned and walked off, her head lowered. I was left with many thoughts racing in my mind.

After she had walked some way, she glanced back at me, her face showing irritation.

The event started, and a speaker went up to the front. "Good evening, everyone. Now, for the final but most important presentation tonight, let's welcome this young woman, who, even though she does not speak, has amazed everyone with her incredible success. She grew her company from nothing to one of the best in the field. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Miss Aurora!"

The crowd stood and clapped, all except one person which was my wife, Sophia, who sat with her arms crossed, looking upset.

Aurora stepped onto the stage, dressed beautifully in a blue gown with lovely makeup, making several men in the audience whisper in awe.

As she talked, a computer-generated voice played on the screen behind her, while she stood with a big smile on her face.

The presentation Aurora gave was captivating to this audience, and I understood why. She was mute, but she had a presence that held one’s attention. And her achievements were impressive.”Her confidence and passion came across, and she was very impressive.”

When the presentation drew to an end, the crowd cheered once more. Aurora grinned as she bowed, her eyes gleaming with pride.

I had looked back at Sophia, thinking she’d be clapping along with the rest of the audience.

Instead, she resembled a frown that appeared to grow the more minutes ticked by.

"What is it?" I asked softly.

She would only shake her head and utter under her breath. Her words were extremely indistinguishable, but they sounded nasty and disagreeable against Aurora's success.

I frowned then, the germ of worry seed in my chest. What was wrong with Sophia? Why did she have to behave so hostile around Aurora?

As the event came to an end, I waded my way through the crowd and congratulated Aurora on her presentation. Sophia trailed behind me, her arms still folded across her chest.

"Aurora, congratulations on your presentation," I said, shaking her hand. "You were truly inspiring."

Aurora smiled and nodded; her eyes danced with gratitude. But in that instant, as I turned to leave, my eyes met Sophia's, and in them burned anger and resentment.

What was wrong with my wife? Why was she jealous of Aurora's success?

When we stepped out of the site of the event, I felt that there was tension between Sophia and me. She was still upset, and I could feel the ire emanating from her.

"Sophia, what is wrong?" I asked in a calm and composed tone. "You are clearly really upset. Is everything alright?"

She whirled around on her heel, her eyes flashing as she stared at me. "You just don't get it, do you?" she snapped. "You're so egotistical and obsessed with Aurora's success."

I backed away from her, taken aback by her anger. "What's wrong, Sophia?" I snapped, fighting to keep my own temper in check. "I'm just trying to celebrate Aurora's success.".

Sophia snorted. "Support? That's not support. She's just a tool for you to stroke your ego and reassure yourself of success."

I felt a surge of defensiveness rise up, but attempted not to demonstrate too much emotion. "That's unfair, Sophia," I replied. "I'm just attempting to be supportive and be a good friend to her.".

Sophia laughed, a cold mirthless one. "A good friend and supporter? You're not even a good husband," she bit out, venom dripping from her tone.

I felt slapped, seething. "What's going on, Sophia?" I pleaded, desperation seeping in. "Why be hurtful and cruel?

Sophia's lips relaxed for an instant at the edges, and in that fleeting moment, I could glimpse the woman I loved. "I'm sorry, Lucian," she breathed, hardly more than that. "It's just so tiring to be overlooked and maneuvered around for so long; I am not a prop to your success but a wife, a partner."

I was overcome by a wave of guilt and regret; I was ignoring Sophia's feelings and needs all along. "Sophia, sorry," I walked a step forward. "I didn't know you felt that way. Let's sit down and discuss this and resolve our problems peacefully."

Sophia simply shook her head and left, and I was left alone in the dark, unaware of what lay ahead for us.

Wasting no more time with Sophia because my interest now is Aurora, I still searched for Aurora hoping I could try this friendship with her. I knocked on her hotel room door and asked if she was there.

My hand reached out to knock, but I held back. I had been playing with fire, and along came Aurora and upset all that. She was a risk to herself and to others, and I chose to leave her alone.

I began to leave when I heard a sound that appeared to be coming from the region of behind me. I briefly wished that it was Aurora opening the door; then I realized that it was just somebody who was leaving another room. I breathed deeply and went on.

Furious and frustrated, I hurried to my hotel room. I headed straight for the fridge, comfort sought in the one thing that would make me forget my woes: bottles of liquor. The glass was fetched and I sat out to drink, repeating the same actions over and over again until I was good and well drunk.

I remember lying in the bed, with bottles all over the room, when sleep overwhelmed me. As if I was just falling asleep, there was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" I bellowed without needing to get up from my bed.

There was silence. I got up, I stood and walked in the direction of the door, staggering from one side to the other because of the alcohol.

"Who's there?" I shouted, my voice intoxicated. "Don't make me repeat myself."

There was continued silence. I waited, then opened the door with fear and bravery mixed.