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 I had no idea how long it took me to move. I had no idea how much time passed as I slept but the next time that I awoke, it was noon. I couldn't remember the last time that I slept into noon. When I turned to the side, Asher's bed space was no longer empty. He laid beside me, as naked as I was underneath the sheets. He was still fast asleep, his arms were still wounded around me like he had no intentions of letting me go even in his sleep. I had no intention of letting him go too. I closed my eyes and sighed. I was utterly and completely exhausted as I relaxed back into bed. I didn't have pressing deadlines to meet, I didn't have meetings to attend. Here. It was me and Asher. My mind traveled towards Liah but I didn't react to it in any way. I wouldn't let myself think of her. She had done enough damage with her scheme and I had let her. This time, I got to be the one to decide how I was going to react to her or whatever pathetic schemes she threw at me. Asher groaned slig
CLAIRE “Annabelle,” my lips were slightly parted in surprise. I blinked and opened my eyes again. Somehow I hoped that this would be a figment of my imagination. I hoped that this was simply a case of my anxiety hitting over the roof and I would just be imagining things, but when I opened them, she was still standing there looking at me. “You don't look so excited to see me, sis,” she grinned at me. Her eyes twinkled with something. I wasn't sure I wanted to know what it was or read any sort of meaning into it. It was the last thing that I wanted to do. Somehow the words were stuck at the back of my throat, and they wouldn't come out freely. Maybe it was my confusion, maybe it was the dreadful feeling in the pit of my tummy, but somehow, I couldn't get the words together. All I could think about was what she might be doing here. My gaze lingered on her ridiculously short dress and the glasses on top of her head. “What are you doing here?” Somehow I was finally able to gather the
CLAIRE “So when were you going to tell me that you dished out invitations without my permission?”Asher said casually as he took a sip of wine. I watched Liah pause for a moment as she turned towards him. They exchanged glances. I couldn't really read too much meaning into it. I was relieved that Asher was able to keep it together. He didn't act on the tension that lingered between him and Regal. And if things weren't according to plan, maybe an argument wouldn't commence. I was too quick to assume that I would be lucky. But it certainly wasn't wrong to hope that no drama would take place. “You didn't have a problem with me inviting people before?” Liah raised an eyebrow at him as she took time to chew on a piece of chicken tender. I noticed the subtle tilt of her chin. I noticed the way her gaze lingered on him a little longer than necessary. I noticed his sharp glare. “Stop diverting and answer my question,” he said. “I will, when you stop talking to me like a child,” she snappe
CLAIRE I stared at my trembling hands. My eyes ached, and I ignored the stray tears that fell down my cheeks. I was angry, but at the same time I felt stupid. I don't know if it was supposed to make any sense, but I hoped that it did. It annoyed me that I was crying over the painful memories that I had tried to keep at bay for so long. It annoyed me that I couldn't keep it all locked in.I felt stupid for crying over people that didn't deserve it. For crying over Annabelle, over Regal, over the fact that I had wanted to forgive her if only she said something. Anything. It made me wonder if I even had any atom of love for myself. Sometimes I wished that it was different. That I didn't feel so much, that I didn’t have empathy. Asher stood in front of me. I was aware of the empty silence that lingered between the both of us but couldn't exactly bring myself to say anything. Maybe it was the ache in my chest. Maybe it was the heaviness that has chosen to remain in the pit of my stomach
CLAIRE Asher's eyes narrowed, his gaze burning with intensity. "Don't play dumb, Claire," he said, his voice low and husky. "I know exactly what you're thinking about."I felt a shiver run down my spine as he leaned in closer to me. His breath whispered against my ear, sending goosebumps down my arms."You're thinking about us," he whispered. "About what it would be like if I sketched you without your clothes on."I felt my face heat up, but I couldn't deny it. I was thinking about it, and the thought was exhilarating.Asher's eyes locked onto mine, his gaze burning with desire. "I'm thinking about it too," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.I felt my heart skip a beat as he leaned in closer, his lips inches from mine. I could feel the tension between us, the anticipation building up like a storm.And then, just as suddenly, Asher pulled back, his eyes clearing as he looked away. "I'll go tell Marcella to bring up the ice cream and cookies," he said, his voice neutral.I watc
ASHER “Who’s been kidnapped? Do you know the person personally?” She inquired.“It’s my wife, I’m going to get her now,” I answered. “Sir, I’d advise against that. Why don’t you let the police officers do their job,” she advised. I let out a slight laugh, “this is my wife we’re talking about, I can’t sit back and let some asshole take her so it’s either you guys arrive quickly or you’d have a dead body on your hand”. “A dead body?” I ended the call and increased the speed of the car till I arrived at Glory Avenue. I scanned the houses on the street, searching for a deep blue roof. On searching it, I swerved to the right, slowing down as I edged into the lawn of the house, unintentionally. I pulled out the key, wearing it in one finger, curling my fingers into a fist, letting the key rest against my knuckle. My heart raced with adrenaline, and my brows furrowed. I kept walking till I arrived at the front door. The windows were closed, and the lights were turned off. I stepped, tu
ASHER'S P.O.VEverything happened in a blur. My father tried to reason with me, but I wasn’t interested in what he had to say. How could he take Regal as his son? Even after what he did to Claire. My Claire. Speaking of Claire, she must be waiting for me. She’s probably worried about me. I didn’t mean to leave her with Regal and Annabelle, the people who hurt her, but I couldn’t bear seeing their faces. If I stayed there any longer, I might have done something I’d regret. I excused myself. My father agreed with a nod, and I left the room. “Claire,” I called as I approached the living room. I received no answer in return. My eyebrows furrowed. Why wasn’t she saying anything? If it was any other scenario, I’d think she didn't hear me, but she was with the people who caused her harm, of course she’d want to leave. She’d rush towards me, and I’d be more than happy to welcome her into my arms. I quickened my pace, still calling for her, just in case she didn’t hear me the first time.
CLAIRE“Unbearing?” I blinked. “Then your sister swooped in,” he kept pushing me down the street, until we arrived beside a car. With one hand on my waist, he pushed me towards the door, releasing his other hand from my arm and grabbing the knob of the back door. “Get in,” he demanded.I shook my head. “Get in, Claire. I don’t want to be violent towards you,” he advised. “You’re very important to me, I don’t want to do anything to hurt our child”.“Our child,” I was taken aback. “Get in,” he demanded, rasing his tone,not intending to correct himself any time soon.Did he really think he could ruin my life, kill our baby turn when his life doesn’t turn out the way he plans, he swoops on and tries to clam what’s not his.“Get in,” he pushed on my waist and I drop onto the seat. I lift my head up to find Liah sitting at the further end, her body resting against the car door, wearing all black. “What are you doing here?” I question. She didn’t say a thing. I turn to face Regald who
CLAIRE I was amused, to say the least. I watched Regal stumble over words. Annabelle turned away from me, spinning her head towards Regal and grabbing his arm when he revealed her name. Her eyes grew wide, trying to silence him. He tore his arm away from her and began speaking, but she talked over him, causing chaos. I picked up a glass of wine from the table, raising it to my lips. I didn’t drink any, I just needed something to keep me busy and stop me from speaking. The air is thick with tension as Regal leans forward, his voice tight with frustration. Regal had everyone’s eyes on him, and he suddenly burst, words spewing out of his lips uncontrollably, “You all think I’m some heartless bastard for what I did, but you don’t understand, It wasn’t just me. Annabelle and I—she was the reason. She made me see that bringing a child into a relationship that was already dead was a mistake. We made the decision together.”I stiffen, gripping my wine glass, my knuckles turning white.
CLAIRE Dinner. I dreaded it. We'd barely arrived home before Gregory began to interfere with our privacy again. We've barely settled back in and here we were at dinner, surrounded by the very people that I have sworn to avoid. But considering the miracle that had happened to Asher and I. It was almost impossible for anything to bother me. Not even Regal and Annabelle's presence was enough. I Blake my eyes and sighed. I was beginning to feel tired. It was always easy to feel so tired and worn out from the stress. I closed my eyes and sighed. I was exhausted as I leaned my head against Asher's shoulder and closed my eyes for a brief moment. Just a sliver of time to get it back together. “Are you alright?” Regal said and my eyes opened as my gaze met his. I wasn't even irritated, the hate that I felt for him that I had carried for him for years began to wear off. Not entirely. Buy maybe enough to fixate on what he had done to me years ago. His eyes were full of concern as he looked a
CLAIRE I was glad she didn’t make mention of the pastAsher exhaled a laugh. “That’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time.”Dr. Patel went over a few more details. “We’ll schedule you for your next ultrasound around 20 weeks,” she said. “That’s when we can check for anatomy details—and if you want, find out the sex.”I exchanged a glance with Asher. “I think we want to wait,” she said.Dr. Patel smiled. “That’s great. Any questions for me?”I hesitated, then asked, “What are the chances of anything going wrong because of what i went through in the past?”Dr. Patel softened. “I understand the worry, but at this point, your risk of a miscarriage or any issue at all has dropped significantly. I’d say just enjoy the moment.”I squeezed Asher’s hand, feeling lighter than she had in weeks.We left her office with glee. My eyes still glanced around until the got glued to this particular lady who looked a lot like Liah. She turned and I could see her fully.I halted and so did Asher, alth
CLAIRE The fluorescent lights glowed softly above as Asher and I. The air carried the faint familiar scent of disinfectant and that of hope. It ached to think about the possibility of not having a child but there was still I change i could have one. I took a deep breath, her fingers instantly tightening around Asher’s hand as we walked toward the receptionist’s desk. He moved his thumb gently against mine and when we arrived in front of the desk, I looked over at him and smiled. “Good morning,” the receptionist greeted, her fingers clicking across the keyboard. “You must be Claire Henshaw?”“Claire Henshaw,” I was slow to respond, turning away from Asher and facing the nurse. The surname still haunted me, like a roof over my head, something I couldn’t get rid off. Asher’s face said no less, his jaws clenched and his fingers folding as their slowly pulled away from my shoulder. The knots tightened and the tension grew. I could recall sitting here as well with an unresponsive Regal
CLAIRE My body trembled slightly as I wretched into the toilet. Whatever was left of my dinner last night escaped my body as I threw up. Some strands of hair clung to my forehead because of the sweat that broke out and even if I didn't want to admit it. My body was heavy with exhaustion. I felt the breeze on my neck as my hair was being raised up gently. I could sense Asher behind me as he rubbed tender circles against my back. The movement was comforting. Everything about it was comforting. I closed my eyes and sighed. I was exhausted. Everything was exhausting. With my exhaustion, I also sensed fear. No matter how much I tried to force my mind not to linger on it, it was there regardless. As much as there was fear, there was hope. Or maybe I was afraid to hope. My eyes fluttered closed for a brief moment as I placed my hand gently against my belly. It couldn't be. There was no way that it was possible. It certainly wouldn't be possible. But each time I tried to deny it, my hope
CLAIREWe made our way to the car and he helped me in. “I can walk,” I laughed lightly. He was treated me gently, way more than usual, like a fragile egg that was at risk of shattering. He looked amused, “I just don’t want anything to happen to you”. He stood between the door and I. “Is it because the doctor said I might ne pregnant?” I joked bit he took it more than just a joke. His straightened his face, his lips stretching into a thin line. He stepped closer and I blinked, staring at him confused. “I love you with or without the pregnancy,” he said in a stern tone. “A child won’t make me love you more or less, I love you just the way you are, you’re an amazing woman and I can’t imagine my life without you”. I blinked. “Understand?” He asked. I nodded, “I know, you’ve told me”. “Don’t you ever forget it,” he said, slamming thr door shut then walking towards his side of the car. He got in, placed his hand on the steering wheel, reached for his key, inserted it and started th