CLAIRE Sitting there listening to Liah's suggestive comments, I could feel my emotions simmering just below the surface. It was like a pot of water, slowly coming to a boil, and I knew it was only a matter of time before I lost my cool.Inside, I was a mess of conflicting emotions. On one hand, I knew that Asher had made it clear that he wanted me, that I was the one he was interested in. But on the other hand, Liah's comments were like a constant drumbeat, eroding my confidence and making me feel like I was just a temporary distraction for Asher.I felt a pang of jealousy, sharp and stabbing, like a knife to the heart. I knew it was irrational, that I had no reason to feel like this because Asher had made his intentions towards me extremely clear. But I couldn't help it. I tried to push the thoughts away, to tell myself that I was being ridiculous, to remind myself that Asher had chosen me, not Liah. But the doubts lingered, refusing to be silenced. And as I sat there, watching Lia
CLAIRE Liah's smile faltered for a moment, and I saw a flash of surprise in her eyes. But then, she pretended to be surprised. "Oh, Asher, I had no idea that Claire allowing me to stay was the only reason you were tolerating my presence," she said, her voice dripping with innocence.Asher's eyes narrowed, his expression skeptical. "Don't play dumb, Liah. You know exactly why I'm letting you stay. And it's not because I want to revisit the past with you."Liah smiled sweetly, her eyes locked on Asher's. "Oh, Asher, there's no harm in bringing up the past," she said, her voice light and airy. "After all, it's just conversation. And I'm sure Claire doesn't mind. Do you, Claire?" She turned to me, her eyes sparkling with challenge.I met Liah's gaze, my expression cold and unyielding. "No, I don't mind at all," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "I love hearing about your past with Asher. It's not like it's making me feel uncomfortable at all."“Oh, Claire,” she chuckled. “You’re ab
CLAIREI woke up to the warmth of Asher's gaze on me. I smiled, feeling a flutter in my chest. "Good morning," I said, my voice husky from sleep.Asher's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled back at me. "You're beautiful in the mornings," he said, his voice low and husky. "Your hair is a mess, and your eyes are still sleepy, but you're still the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."I felt a blush rise to my cheeks as Asher's words washed over me. I loved moments like these, just the two of us, basking in the warmth of our love.Just as we were having our own little moment, the door to our room burst open, and Liah strode in, a look of determination on her face."Oh..." she said, her voice trailing off as she took in the sight of Asher and me in bed together.I sat up, startled, pulling the covers up to my chest as Liah's sudden entrance caught me off guard. Asher and I were both naked under the sheets, and I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I tried to cover myself.Asher's face
ASHERAs soon as Liah left the room, Claire turned to me with a strange look on her face. "You should drive her," she said, her voice calm.I stared at her in confusion, wondering if she had finally lost her mind. "What? Why would I do that?" I asked, incredulous.Claire's expression didn't change, but I could sense a hint of something beneath the surface. "Just do it," she said, her voice firm.I shook my head, feeling a surge of frustration. "No way," I said, my voice firm. "I'm not going to drive her around just because you're saying it. I refuse to be in the same space with her for that long. Her presence irritates me, freaks me out. I hate being around her, and I'm not going to do it just because you’re asking me to."I couldn't believe Claire was even suggesting this. Didn't she know how much I despised Liah? Didn't she know how much Liah's presence affected me? I thought Claire knew better than that."Liah is toxic, Claire," I said, trying to reason with her. "She's poisonous,
ASHERI watched as Liah pushed another bite of her croissant into her mouth, a smug smile spreading across her face. She was trying to get under my skin, to take me down memory lane and make me remember the past. But I wasn't having it."You know, Asher," she said, her voice husky, "I'll never forget that night we spent together at the beach. Do you remember it?"I raised an eyebrow, my expression neutral. "I'm married now, Liah. I don't dwell on the past."Liah's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. "Oh, I'm sure Claire wouldn't mind if you reminisced about old times," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.I leaned back in my chair, my eyes never leaving hers. "Actually, Liah, Claire is the reason I'm not interested in revisiting the past. She's the one I'm committed to, and I don't have time for games like this."Liah's eyes narrowed, a flash of anger sparking in their depths. But she kept her cool, her smile never wavering. "You're really devote
CLAIRE I noticed how tense Asher was when he returned. I wanted to say it was because he had no choice to be in the company of Liah but my guts kept telling me that something was wrong. “Are you okay?” I murmured as he approached me. I noticed how Liah walked closely behind him. He held my hand, I couldn't help but notice that he looked a little pale. I closed my eyes and sighed. I was utterly exhausted. I don't think that I had the stomach for more drama.“Thanks for letting your husband drive me around. How generous of you?” Liah smirked at me. I felt a slight tug in my chest coupled with the suspicion that was nibbling within me from the inside out. I remained silent. I had no idea what to reply to what she had just said.“I guess it's time for dinner?” She looked at me expectantly and I nodded in response. I waited until she disappeared into the house before I directed my gaze back at Asher. “I know this isn't your idea but you seem too quiet. Did something happen?” I looked
CLAIRE I was back here, back to feeling like my whole world was shattering before my eyes. I would have done anything and everything to escape the pain that I felt in the confines of my chest. I didn't want to be back here. Maybe inviting Liah to stay here was a big mistake. A mistake that I was already regretting. I closed my eyes and when I opened them, I raised my gaze to look at the clock. It was already five in the morning and I had barely gotten any sleep. I turned my head towards the side. I was taunted by Asher's empty bedside. There was nobody to warm me up. I couldn't smell him. My eyes watered with tears. The ache in my chest intensified. Maybe I should have believed him. He had done everything to prove that he loved me. And even when I thought he wouldn't stay. He did. So why wasn't I open enough to listen to his explanation? I got down from my bed. I considered looking for him in the guest room. I would tell how sorry I was. How I couldn't sleep alone. My hands were su
/-Claire-/“She's losing blood. She needs an urgent transfusion.” I heard the voices from a distance.“She has a rare blood type, sir. The blood bank is out of it…”My brain was not processing anything other than the pain between my legs. Tears pooled in my eyes as I stared at the very man who put me in this condition.His eyes were cold and unfeeling, unsympathetic to my suffering. “If she continues this way, she will bleed to death! Even if we can cut the bleeding, she will still need blood. Is there anyone in the family who can donate blood?” The nurse asked. “No,” came a cold response. A tear slipped past my cheek as I reached for his hand. “Regal…” my voice came out croaky. My throat hurt from the dryness. “Please…”“You heard them, the blood bank doesn't have your blood type,” he stated. “I don't know what you expect me to do.” “Annabelle…”He snatched his hand from me. “Have you lost your mind? Do you want your pregnant sister to donate blood to you? Have you thought abo
CLAIRE I was back here, back to feeling like my whole world was shattering before my eyes. I would have done anything and everything to escape the pain that I felt in the confines of my chest. I didn't want to be back here. Maybe inviting Liah to stay here was a big mistake. A mistake that I was already regretting. I closed my eyes and when I opened them, I raised my gaze to look at the clock. It was already five in the morning and I had barely gotten any sleep. I turned my head towards the side. I was taunted by Asher's empty bedside. There was nobody to warm me up. I couldn't smell him. My eyes watered with tears. The ache in my chest intensified. Maybe I should have believed him. He had done everything to prove that he loved me. And even when I thought he wouldn't stay. He did. So why wasn't I open enough to listen to his explanation? I got down from my bed. I considered looking for him in the guest room. I would tell how sorry I was. How I couldn't sleep alone. My hands were su
CLAIRE I noticed how tense Asher was when he returned. I wanted to say it was because he had no choice to be in the company of Liah but my guts kept telling me that something was wrong. “Are you okay?” I murmured as he approached me. I noticed how Liah walked closely behind him. He held my hand, I couldn't help but notice that he looked a little pale. I closed my eyes and sighed. I was utterly exhausted. I don't think that I had the stomach for more drama.“Thanks for letting your husband drive me around. How generous of you?” Liah smirked at me. I felt a slight tug in my chest coupled with the suspicion that was nibbling within me from the inside out. I remained silent. I had no idea what to reply to what she had just said.“I guess it's time for dinner?” She looked at me expectantly and I nodded in response. I waited until she disappeared into the house before I directed my gaze back at Asher. “I know this isn't your idea but you seem too quiet. Did something happen?” I looked
ASHERI watched as Liah pushed another bite of her croissant into her mouth, a smug smile spreading across her face. She was trying to get under my skin, to take me down memory lane and make me remember the past. But I wasn't having it."You know, Asher," she said, her voice husky, "I'll never forget that night we spent together at the beach. Do you remember it?"I raised an eyebrow, my expression neutral. "I'm married now, Liah. I don't dwell on the past."Liah's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. "Oh, I'm sure Claire wouldn't mind if you reminisced about old times," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.I leaned back in my chair, my eyes never leaving hers. "Actually, Liah, Claire is the reason I'm not interested in revisiting the past. She's the one I'm committed to, and I don't have time for games like this."Liah's eyes narrowed, a flash of anger sparking in their depths. But she kept her cool, her smile never wavering. "You're really devote
ASHERAs soon as Liah left the room, Claire turned to me with a strange look on her face. "You should drive her," she said, her voice calm.I stared at her in confusion, wondering if she had finally lost her mind. "What? Why would I do that?" I asked, incredulous.Claire's expression didn't change, but I could sense a hint of something beneath the surface. "Just do it," she said, her voice firm.I shook my head, feeling a surge of frustration. "No way," I said, my voice firm. "I'm not going to drive her around just because you're saying it. I refuse to be in the same space with her for that long. Her presence irritates me, freaks me out. I hate being around her, and I'm not going to do it just because you’re asking me to."I couldn't believe Claire was even suggesting this. Didn't she know how much I despised Liah? Didn't she know how much Liah's presence affected me? I thought Claire knew better than that."Liah is toxic, Claire," I said, trying to reason with her. "She's poisonous,
CLAIREI woke up to the warmth of Asher's gaze on me. I smiled, feeling a flutter in my chest. "Good morning," I said, my voice husky from sleep.Asher's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled back at me. "You're beautiful in the mornings," he said, his voice low and husky. "Your hair is a mess, and your eyes are still sleepy, but you're still the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."I felt a blush rise to my cheeks as Asher's words washed over me. I loved moments like these, just the two of us, basking in the warmth of our love.Just as we were having our own little moment, the door to our room burst open, and Liah strode in, a look of determination on her face."Oh..." she said, her voice trailing off as she took in the sight of Asher and me in bed together.I sat up, startled, pulling the covers up to my chest as Liah's sudden entrance caught me off guard. Asher and I were both naked under the sheets, and I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I tried to cover myself.Asher's face
CLAIRE Liah's smile faltered for a moment, and I saw a flash of surprise in her eyes. But then, she pretended to be surprised. "Oh, Asher, I had no idea that Claire allowing me to stay was the only reason you were tolerating my presence," she said, her voice dripping with innocence.Asher's eyes narrowed, his expression skeptical. "Don't play dumb, Liah. You know exactly why I'm letting you stay. And it's not because I want to revisit the past with you."Liah smiled sweetly, her eyes locked on Asher's. "Oh, Asher, there's no harm in bringing up the past," she said, her voice light and airy. "After all, it's just conversation. And I'm sure Claire doesn't mind. Do you, Claire?" She turned to me, her eyes sparkling with challenge.I met Liah's gaze, my expression cold and unyielding. "No, I don't mind at all," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "I love hearing about your past with Asher. It's not like it's making me feel uncomfortable at all."“Oh, Claire,” she chuckled. “You’re ab
CLAIRE Sitting there listening to Liah's suggestive comments, I could feel my emotions simmering just below the surface. It was like a pot of water, slowly coming to a boil, and I knew it was only a matter of time before I lost my cool.Inside, I was a mess of conflicting emotions. On one hand, I knew that Asher had made it clear that he wanted me, that I was the one he was interested in. But on the other hand, Liah's comments were like a constant drumbeat, eroding my confidence and making me feel like I was just a temporary distraction for Asher.I felt a pang of jealousy, sharp and stabbing, like a knife to the heart. I knew it was irrational, that I had no reason to feel like this because Asher had made his intentions towards me extremely clear. But I couldn't help it. I tried to push the thoughts away, to tell myself that I was being ridiculous, to remind myself that Asher had chosen me, not Liah. But the doubts lingered, refusing to be silenced. And as I sat there, watching Lia
CLAIRE Sitting there listening to Liah's suggestive comments, I could feel my emotions simmering just below the surface. It was like a pot of water, slowly coming to a boil, and I knew it was only a matter of time before I lost my cool.Inside, I was a mess of conflicting emotions. On one hand, I knew that Asher had made it clear that he wanted me, that I was the one he was interested in. But on the other hand, Liah's comments were like a constant drumbeat, eroding my confidence and making me feel like I was just a temporary distraction for Asher.I felt a pang of jealousy, sharp and stabbing, like a knife to the heart. I knew it was irrational, that I had no reason to feel like this because Asher had made his intentions towards me extremely clear. But I couldn't help it. I tried to push the thoughts away, to tell myself that I was being ridiculous, to remind myself that Asher had chosen me, not Liah. But the doubts lingered, refusing to be silenced. And as I sat there, watching Li
CLAIRE“Stop staring at me like that, princess. I told you not to test me. Asher growled slightly as I splashed him some water from the people. I could see the smile that he was trying so desperately to hide. I don't know how long we were here. I only knew that my chest felt lighter and lighter. It's been up to an hour since we had been emotional. I closed my eyes and sighed. And now here we were, playing around in the pool like we weren't vulnerable with each other a couple of minutes ago. There was a slight flutter in the pit of my stomach when I remembered Asher telling me how much he needed me and he wanted me to stay. If only he knew that it was the other way round. If only he knew that he was the one obviously doing me a favor by staying. I watched as he swam towards the end of the pool. I inhaled deeply as he disappeared under the water. I was settled at the end of the pool, watching. With only the tip of my legs buried inside the pool. A breath of relief escaped me when he r