004

Asher’s POV

I wasn’t sure how long I’d been staring at Loren.

At her pale face and frail frame as she lay on the hospital bed.

When the crate came crashing down, every fiber of my being wanted to swoop in and save her.

And for a moment, I almost did it.

Until I realised this was the perfect opportunity to make her experience what it felt like to be abandoned by a loved one in a life-or-death situation.

My fingers dug into my skin, my knuckles turning white as I replayed the moment over and over again.

The exact moment Loren ruined everything years ago.

It felt like the smoke from that fire was still in my lungs as I watched her race past me to save someone else.

Until the last moment, I was certain she was coming to save me but my entire world came crashing down as she dashed past me to someone else.

She didn’t even look back.

No, not even once.

I ran my hands over my face, leaning against the wall.

Looking at her now, I couldn’t help but wonder how she would feel when she woke up.

Maybe she would finally understand what it felt like to be completely discarded.

To watch the person she loved, treat her like she was insignificant.

The fear of knowing that she could have died and I would have let her.

The hurt, confusion, the fury.

I wanted to know if she felt good– did her heart feel like it was being ripped out or did she feel like she couldn’t breathe at the thought of it?

Because I felt everything that night.

My throat tightened as my eyes traced her skin.

For a moment, I couldn’t help but imagine how wonderful it would be if she could lie quietly by my side like this forever.

As long as she begs me one more time, I'll never divorce her again. We'll be together forever.

I reached for her hand before freezing as she stirred.

Lovie walked in at the same time.

“What took you so long, Lovie?” I spoke up, pulling her into my arms.

Loren’s eyes opened as I continued speaking, “I was waiting for you.”

“I went to get coffee,” Lovie answered, leaning against me as Loren sat up, glancing at us.

“But I’m glad that the cripple is finally awake. She created so much fuss, Asher.” Lovie said, her eyes glistening with fresh tears.

“Lovie is right,” I glared at Loren. “It’s clear that you’ve gone to such great lengths — even landing yourself in the hospital and ruining our shoot for only one reason,”

I stepped closer, meeting her gaze. “Just because you couldn’t stand to see me taking a couple photos with Lovie.”

Loren glared back at me, her hands grabbing fistfuls of the sheet at her sides.

“I almost died and somehow you managed to make it about you?” She retorted. “Don’t you think you’re the one making a scene?”

“Why are you here anyway?”

My jaw tightened.

“Don’t be ungrateful, Loren,” Lovie spoke up. “Despite everything you did, we brought you to the hospital, you should be thanking Asher, instead—“

“There’s no point trying to reason with her, Lovie,” I growled, shifting my attention to Loren. “I gave you the chance to take a photo with me earlier but your ego got in the way.”

I sat on the chair, staring straight at her as I continued. “No worries, I’ll give you one last chance.”

Loren frowned, tilting her head. “You’ll give me one last chance?”

“I’ve given you ninety-nine already. So make this one count, okay?”

I pulled my chair back, gesturing at the ground. “I’m being the bigger person here. Kneel, apologise and beg me properly, then I’ll consider forgiving you.”

Loren stared at me and for a moment, I thought she would actually get on her knees and beg.

In fact, I was almost certain until she spoke.

“Get out.”

It was quiet and for a moment, I thought I misheard.

“If you’re so happy with each other, why not be with each other?” She continued, her blue eyes hardening the longer I stared at them.

“Why do you have to drag me into everything? Or could it be that she’s not enough for you?”

“Loren!” I snapped, standing up.

“Sorry, did I say something wrong?” she retorted, glaring at me. “This is all my fault, I got between you.”

“Both of you deserve each other, you should be locked away together forever!”

“Shut your mouth, Loren!” I barked, ready to give her a piece of my mind when it happened,

The sound of glass shattering followed and Lovie shrieked.

I stumbled back and it took me two full seconds to realize Loren smashed the glass of water on her hospital table.

And the glass shards grazed Lovie’s face, small bruises were forming on her forehead and cheeks.

I was fuming now. I pointed at her, my body barely able to contain my anger.

Loren leveled my gaze, “Or what, Asher?” She challenged me.

I knew she was cold-hearted, but I never imagined that she could harm someone.

“Asher! Asher, my face!” Lovie sobbed “This cripple tried to kill me!”

Loren scoffed, rolling her eyes.

I picked Lovie up, glaring at Loren as I spoke. “You’ve gone crazy, Loren.”

She didn’t answer. She didn’t even meet my gaze.

Somehow, it made me even more furious.

How dare she ignore me?

“Asher,” Lovie sobbed in my arms.

“In fact, you’ve crossed all the lines,” I pressed on, “and forgot your place.”

“You want your mother’s document don’t you?”

She perked up at that, her eyes widening. “Ashe—“

“If you want it so badly, then come get it tomorrow.”

Her forehead creased, her eyes searching mine.

“And what’s so special about tomorrow?” She asked.

I grinned, “It’s Lovie’s birthday.”

Something flickered in her eyes. “I don’t want to attend her stupid birthday. Can you stoop any lower? Just return it to me.”

“I’ll be waiting for you, Loren. If you don’t come tomorrow then you’ll never see that document ever again.”