Chapter 8

Ashers P.O.V

"Just pretend I'm not here," I muttered, my eyes fixed on the unsettling scene before me. My brother's hands were on my wife's breast, I walked out quickly as I tried so hard to restrain myself from punching him. My mind was racing with thoughts about what I had just seen," What the hell were they doing so close".

I needed a moment to myself, to reconcile what I had just seen. I retreated to my office, seeking solace in the familiar space. But Arlo followed close behind, his footsteps echoing in the silence. I knew he wanted to explain, to justify what I had witnessed. But I wasn't ready to hear it. Not yet, I had other big things to deal with. for just like always he always liked to own everything I owned, I shut the door behind me, and he followed me

"Listen, I can explain. It's not what you think," Arlo said, desperation clear in his eyes. But I wasn't ready to hear it.

"Oh really? Can you explain why your hands were all over my wife's boobs? My wife, Arlo! I might not like the idea of an arranged marriage, but at least have some decency. She’s, my wife!" I yelled.

"I knew you'd jump to conclusions. She was choking, and I was trying to help her get a muffin out of her throat. Just get those thoughts out of your head," Arlo retorted.

"Yeah, sure, helping her by groping her boobs? If I hadn't walked in, maybe you would have screwed her right there in the dining room or even here!" I shouted, my voice shaking with anger, I didn't know why I was angry, I just did not want Arlo close to her, the thought of it irritated me.

" Why the hell, do you always want what is mine" I screamed.

"Oh really, are you seriously going to keep playing this ridiculous game? Do you think everything I do, every breath I take, is somehow connected to you? Get over yourself, Asher! You're not the center of my universe!". Arlo said his face reddened with anger. "I couldn't care less about your possessions or your life. We're not kids anymore Asher, so keep your insecurities to yourself for I have my own life and my struggles. And so do you. Stop acting like everything I do is a personal attack on you!"

My irritation boiled over. "Yeah, like how you manipulated Mom into loving you more, or how you charm Lilly and Emily into following you instead of me? How many more examples do I need to mention? You always find a way to take what's mine and make it yours. Well, not this time, Arlo. Not this time!"

I could see the anger in Arlo's voice as he took a deep breath trying to restrain himself "Keep living in your delusional world, Asher. I've never taken anything from you. It's been years, can't you just let it go? I'm done explaining myself, done trying to deal with your insecurities. I won't waste another breath on what you think.

He paused, as he turned to leave but he stopped and turned toward me. "I've sacrificed everything for you. Do you think I never longed for the simple joy of eating bacon? I gave it up because you preferred it that way. And what about that reserved spot at the renowned school which was open for only one? I sacrificed that opportunity because I remembered how you dreamed of attending. " He said, as he hit his fist on the desk

"I participated in the family business only because I had to, not because I wanted to. I've always cleaned up your messes, like this latest fiasco with I.A.S. You invested without consulting anyone, and now I'm left to deal with the fallout."

His voice cracked, revealing the depth of his pain. "What do I get in return? Accusations, blame, and more drama. I'm done, Asher. Done putting up with your toxicity. I deserve better than to be constantly drained by your selfishness or your frivolous insecurity."

With that, Arlo turned and walked away, leaving me feeling empty and lost. The weight of his words hung in the air. I felt the sting of his accusations, the truth of his sacrifices but all of it didn't matter, I knew what I saw. And where the hell is that whore of a wife, I said, as I left my study room and headed towards the dining area where she was.

" You never told me, you were a whore" I said, as I came closer to her, she tried moving but I grabbed her hands and held her against the wall.

" You like my brother, don't you?" I asked

" Well, I am sorry to announce that you aren't married to him but me, well don't you think you start performing your wifey duties," I said, as I used my fingers to softly touch her boobs, I could feel her shiver at my slightest touch which gave me joy.

My face against hers, breathing down on it, I moved my lips closer to hers but she shifted her face.

" How dare you" I asked, as I raised my hands and punched the wall close to her, she gasped in fear, as she breathed heavily, falling, with tears dripping.

" Would you stop taunting the little girl?" Miss Thompson said.

" I raised you better than this," she said.

I look at my mind racing with a lot of things to say to her but I held it in because of Miss Thompson

" You better thank the stars, Miss Thompson is here," I said as I just looked at her and walked out and got out of the house.

I really needed fresh air, to clear my nerve,

"Why was I so worked up with what had just happened" I asked myself

Maybe it is because it involved my brother, I did not care what I saw, I just did not want it to be my brother who would snatch Arabella from me.