…At MJ Corporation. Why was it so difficult to focus?Why was his heart beating in an uneven rhythm?Asher couldn't get any work done.A simple signature had become so difficult, taking up at least one hour.Now and then, he'd find his mind wandering off to this morning.Clyde Crawford.Violet.And Mimi.No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't envision himself inside the same frame.Was he being too insecure?Was he letting Clyde’s statement intimidate him?“Mr. Sydney, the meeting will start in five minutes.” His assistant walked in, holding a stack of documents. He placed them on his desk, checking out the previous ones he brought. When he noticed that he'd only put his signature on three documents, the assistant gave him a worried look. “Mr. Sydney-”“I know what you'll ask.” Asher stopped him, sighing in defeat. “Yes. I'm not fine.”Asher didn't know why he was speaking this out.He'd probably look like a coward.But he rarely hid anything from his assistant.Most of the time
…At The Amusement Park. Violet panted heavily, holding her knees as she struggled to catch her breath.Mimi had run off again, and it was so difficult to catch up with her.Well, she gave up!The workers were by her side, protecting her anyway as she jumped from one fun ride to another.But actually,Mimi wasn't the only person she wanted to catch up with. If only she could get close to Clyde and drag him to a corner, then she was going to give him a piece of her mind. Yet, ever since they arrived at the Amusement Park, the man seemed to be avoiding her intentionally.He was either making a phone call or having fun with Mimi.To say that the duo had left her out was an understatement. Violet felt like a complete stranger, standing in the middle of nowhere.Urgh!Groaning in frustration, she let go of the idea of chasing after them and dragged her feet to the carousel ride. As she sat on one of the horse statues, her breathing gradually turned to normal and she watched them from a
Tension filled the air, and a deep silence fell across the place.As if time had stopped, the men went into a glaring battle, each throwing daggers with their eyes. Staring back and forth from one man to another, Violet sighed exasperatedly.They weren't about to get into a fight, were they?Well, she wouldn't be surprised if they did. The desire to tear each other apart was evident in their eyes. The unspoken tension was louder than the fiercest scream. “Daddy…” Mimi shifted in Clyde's arms, the little girl obviously unaware of the tension between both men.Her interruption came in handy as both men instantly retained their normal expressions.“Since Uncle Ash is here, why don't we have fun together? Uhm, Daddy, I'm also hungry.”“Mm. We'll go to the nearest restaurant outside the Park,” Clyde suggested, offering her a smile and patting her head.Violet didn't like that idea.What if Clyde left the amusement park with her baby and never came back? She couldn't just follow them wh
Shaking her head, Violet returned his smile.Although she would love to leave this place, she couldn't leave her daughter behind.Not in Clyde's hands. “It's okay. I'm fine.” Aside from that, she was relieved that Asher didn't think much about Clyde's words.He must have brought up that topic to anger him. Violet slowed down her footsteps, focusing on her thoughts instead of Clyde's conversation with Mimi. Completely aware of the storm brewing behind her, she walked hand in hand with Asher towards the noodles stand. If looks could kill, she and Asher would have probably dropped dead by now.Funny how she could feel Clyde's presence no matter how hard she ignored it.She could feel his anger and annoyance.Despite his light tone as he conversed with her baby, the hidden rage underneath the surface couldn't be overlooked.Finally, they arrived at that spot. The noodles tasted great as Violet had imagined.On a long table, she sat across from Asher, while Clyde sat across from Mimi
How would he be able to leave her?Clyde only wanted to find somewhere private and throw up the horrible food Violet called the best noodles in the world.He'd never tasted something so bland and spicy.Violet must have done this intentionally.Ever since they arrived here, she'd been looking for excuses to take Mimi away.She even resorted to summoning Asher here and putting up that stupid act in his presence. True. He wasn't so thick-skinned when it came to her.Clyde couldn't believe that he'd let Violet's provocation affect him.Now he regretted it.Mimi's knee was bleeding and it was all his fault.The little girl seemed to be in so much pain as she clung to him tightly. “I'm not leaving, Baby. Let's get out of here,” he murmured, patting her hair gently. If only that would take away her pain.Clyde pressed on the Bluetooth on his ear, summoning the bodyguards. “Get the car ready.” He walked away, but Violet stopped him. Her eyes betrayed no emotion. She looked so fearful as
~It took two hours for his car to get repaired.Asher couldn't believe it.Would Clyde really stoop this low to get what he wanted?Right under his watch, he had the bodyguards deflate the tires of his car. It was a funny but ridiculous thing. Asher had no other choice but to let Violet go with him.And he regretted it. What were they up to?Why wasn't she back yet?They were supposed to go to the hospital and have Mimi's bruise treated. Something that could be handled with a simple first aid. Pacing back and forth outside the large doors, he glanced at the gates now and then, anticipating their return.It was almost evening. It shouldn't be that Clyde took them away, did he?Damn!What was he thinking?Of course, Clyde would take them away at any opportunity he got.Asher shouldn't have let them go… but he'd expected Violet to up a protest which she didn't. She'd willingly followed Clyde to his car. “M- Master, don't worry. I'm sure they'll be back.” The maid stood behind him,
…At Eden Suites Hotel. Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, Clyde's mind, as well as his thoughts, were somewhere else despite his gaze fixated on the city down below.His mind pondered the same word again and again,He wasn't sure if she would grant his request.He wasn't confident that Violet wouldn't disappoint him.After all, he was now a different person in her eyes.She wouldn't give in just easily despite telling him that she'd think about it, giving him a little hope. Back at the hospital, he'd wished the visit would last longer. He couldn't let them go, but he had to because she'd given him a condition.What if she didn't fulfill her promise, though? His phone rang, cutting through the deep silence inside the suite.Staring at the contact display name, Clyde contemplated if he should answer it or not. All he knew was that a phone call from his grandfather wasn't always good news.He would either receive an earful or get impossible instructions.Ever since Violet left
… At Continental Villa Estates. Violet sighed for the umpteenth time, walking back and forth in front of the door that led to Mimi's room.The little girl's heartbreaking sobs echoed from inside the room and she pounded on the window now and then, probably trying to open it. Thank goodness the window was high from the ground and tightly locked.She couldn't imagine what would have happened to her baby if she tried to jump from it.“Mimi, stop crying, Dear. Can you please open the door?” This was like her thousandth time saying the same statement.How strange that the girl could bolt the door, blocking her out. “Hearing you cry breaks Mummy's heart.”“Mummy, it's not my fault. Promise me you'll take me to my Daddy. You can't send Daddy away.” Her bitter sobs resounded, breaking Violet's heart to pieces.“I- I didn't send your Daddy away,” She stuttered.Indeed, she'd blocked him off and also made sure Asher blocked all the ways Clyde could get access to this Villa. Her daughter w
A twin?Who?Violet could believe Freya was only bluffing if only her best friend hadn't looked deadly serious.She even told her Asher was in town.She told her so many things that she couldn't grasp a single statement.“Listen to me, Violet!” Even an hour later, Freya was still persistent in convincing her. “It's not like I don't trust Asher. But I have a bad feeling about all this. He found the exact replica of you and called her his wife- that's absurd, Asher vowed he'd love you forever!”Asher’s love for her wasn't the thing that mattered the most.The idea that she had a lost twin out there was what scared Violet.How?And when?As far as she could remember, she neither had any sister nor siblings.She was the only child her parents had. Her parents divorced while she was young, but her father wouldn't have a daughter who was the same age as her and also looked exactly like her.Violet thought she looked more like her mother.She'd inherited most of her physical features.“You s
…At Crawford Villa. It was still dark. If only morning could come fast.For she couldn't catch a wink of sleep.Cherish their love…Forever?Clyde's statement still resounded in her mind.She didn't know why she was losing sleep over this. She couldn't tell where this feeling of guilt was coming from. She'd planned to leave him eventually. She never planned to forgive and forget.He must have his own reasons for feeding her those birth control pills.Her feelings for him must have resurfaced, getting even stronger than before, but she had an obligation.A promise to fulfill.Asher was still waiting for her.“Violet…”In the dead night, his voice jolted her. Thinking he was deeply asleep, she glanced sideways to find him staring at her. “What's wrong?” Clyde reached out and stroked her hair. “What are you thinking about?”Should she tell him the truth?Should she lie to him?However, the idea of telling him what was really on her mind scared her.Not only because she feared the o
Hesitating at the door, a part of his mind told him not to step inside.She might yell at him, lunge at him, hit him, or even do something worse.A few moments ago when she revealed that furious side of her, he'd almost thought she was a different girl, totally different from the docile and affectionate woman he knew.“Ash, I'm so sorry!” Yet, she surprised him by apologizing first.Standing from the couch, she rushed into his arms and hugged him tight, sobbing slightly. “I'm sorry for misunderstanding. I- I didn't know she was your friend… I- I thought… I thought she might snatch you from me!”She choked on her sobs, burying her face in his chest as if ashamed to face him. What did he do to deserve this?How would she react when she found out this was all a play?Asher’s heart tightened, a foreboding heaviness settling on his chest. He wanted to hug her back, but his hands hung mid-air.No!This is getting out of hand.Could he carry on?Shouldn't be tell her the truth right now?W
“It's no wonder you ignored the phone calls,” She continued, the tears streaming down her face. “It's no wonder you want James to leave you alone.”What was she doing here?How did she even get here? Shocked, Asher didn't know how to react. As if caught red-handed committing a sin, he parted his lips, but no words came out. “Why are you doing this to me, Ash!?” She wiped her tears furiously. “You've never loved me, have you!?”She stomped forward and peeled Freya away from his arms. When she raised her hand to slap him, Asher finally reacted. “It's not what you're thinking.” He caught her hand mid-air. However, she gave him a look of disbelief full of uncertainty. She'd lost trust in him. He could see the hate in her eyes. Wasn't this what he'd been avoiding? Right now, she looked hurt and his heart beat uncomfortably. She sobbed, snatching her hand away. “Then can you explain it in a way I'll understand… In a way that won't only hurt me further?”Yeah. How was he gonna expl
…That Evening.Without a sense of direction, Asher drove down the city. He'd been driving for a long time and the sky was turning dark. Yet, he couldn't stop, the turmoil inside his heart increasing. Without any sense of direction, he could be anywhere else but that hotel. He couldn't go back there and share the same suite with her. He couldn't repeat the same mistake he made the night before. Till now, his mind wasn't at ease. For a long time, he'd preserved himself, vowing that he'd never touch a woman who wasn't his wife. He'd broken that vow, his biggest regret. Now he had to live with the guilt and the feelings of hate. The fact that he reminisced about that moment last night and still longed to touch her made him more disgusted with himself. His phone rang beside him. Asher let go of the steering wheel and picked it up. Seeing his assistant’s name on the screen, he hesitated. “What's up?”“Are you on your way back, Mr. Sydney?” James sounded worried. “I'm sure the bu
Violet arrived at Grandpa Luke's quarters to find the servants gathered in a corner outside. They were so engrossed in gossiping that they didn't notice her. “The Old Master appears mad today. Who do you think might have offended him?”“Is it Mrs. Crawford again?”“No, I don't think so. I overheard him making a phone call about someone's death. He mentioned the Young Master’s name.”“Wait, is he mad at the Young Master?”“Who knows? He has suddenly appeared in the mansion. It definitely isn't for something small.”“Who died, by the way?”“I'm not sure, but I have a feeling that it's a member of this family.”Violet cleared her throat. All the servants looked in her direction, having noticed her presence.They all gasped at once and started stuttering. “Y- Young Miss, when did you arrive?”“We- We were busy discussing work. Sorry, we didn't notice you.”“It's not what you're thinking, Young Miss-” “Shut up, all of you!” The Butler arrived. “If you don't want to lose your jobs, sto
Violet shuddered from his grandfather's tone. Because she sat very close to him, her ears caught each of his grandfather's words. Turning around to see the man's expression, a strange tremor ran down her nerves. But Clyde's expression was as pale as hers should have been by now. He looked speechless, his eyes widening. “Uhm, Grandpa. I'll come-”For the first time, she saw him stammer. And the old man didn't let him finish his words before shouting,“Well, get down here and explain yourself! Because right now, this old man is having heart pains!”Then his grandfather hung up. Clyde sprang to his feet, almost making her fall in the process. And he looked disoriented as he hurried out of the study room. “Where's Daddy going? Was it Greatgrandpa who called?” Mimi asked, hugging the new school bag to her chest. “I miss Greatgrandpa, Mummy. Can I go with Daddy?”Violet shook her head. “No, Baby. I'm not sure where he's going. Ava will help you wash up. After you've rested, how about
…Clyde stared at the phone in his hand, his blood boiling inside. He watched the several missed calls but made no attempt to answer them. Hadn't he restricted that contact before?It appeared Violet had unblocked the guy. Why the hell was he calling his wife!?“Clyde, have you seen my phone?” Violet entered the study room and he quickly hid the phone in his pocket. Clyde shook his head. “Have you checked Mimi's room?”“I did. It's not there.” She sighed frustratedly. “I- I need to check on the Cops. I must find Freya.”She barely slept last night all due to worrying about her friend. Honestly, she didn't need to call the Cops.Clyde already had a feeling about who took her friend away. “Relax, we'll find her.”“That's what you've been telling me.” She gave him a tired look. “Clyde Crawford, at least use your influence and help me find my friend.”Clyde would have long used his influence if he'd wanted to.However, the situation was out of his hands. The only person who could e
…At Twilight Hotel. The atmosphere was intense, the tension inside the room unmatched by any other. Maybe he was the only person feeling the tension. Asher couldn't believe it.He was definitely going to regret this forever. How was he gonna explain this to her when she came back to her senses… when she finally regained her memories and discovered the truth? “You're so quiet.” Her voice floated into his ears, her sighs of contentment echoing in the silent room.The serene atmosphere was nothing compared to the turmoil inside his heart. Her peaceful appearance and her relaxed muscles as she lay on his chest contrasted with his tense ones. “Honey…” She murmured. “Whoever that lady is, she's dangerous. Please you have to avenge me. What would have happened to me if you weren't there last night?”Asher didn't know the lady she was speaking about.Unfortunately, his assistant’s search turned out futile.The lady's back was facing the surveillance camera while she gave her the wine.