Asher

Chapter Four

Asher

Sophie’s POV

"I know you will be back. You will come back to beg me, I promise you that, Sophie," Maxon said.

I reached the door and paused, my hand on the knob as I contemplated the decision I had just made. I was about to walk away from a job that could potentially pave the way for me and give me the chance to take care of my kids. I was about to turn my back on an opportunity that could help my son walk again.

I shook my head, convinced that it was better to start searching for another job than to stay under the employment of a man like Maxon. I knew he would do nothing but make my life a living hell and leave me feeling dejected once again, just as he had done five years ago.

Pushing the door open, I rushed out of the office. Maxon's words raced through my mind, and tears welled up uncontrollably. In my hurry, I accidentally bumped into the man who had interviewed us, but I didn't stop.

"Hey! Woman! What's wrong?" I heard him ask as I hurried away, but I didn't wait to provide an answer.

I rushed into the elevator, my patience nearly exhausted as I waited for its doors to open. Finally, after a few agonizing minutes, the elevator doors slid apart, and I darted through the hallway, disregarding the attention I garnered from onlookers.

Reaching the street, I stumbled and fell to the ground, my legs failing me. My heart raced with the weight of Maxon's hurtful words and the memories of years ago.

The hurtful words he had spoken mere minutes ago surged back, overwhelming me with a flood of sorrow. Once again, he had made me feel worthless in his eyes.

Maxon had once again made me feel like I was nothing to him, just like he did five years ago. I lay there on the floor, unable to lift myself up, tears streaming down my face as I struggled to comprehend his words. Seeing him again after all this time hurt deeply, especially knowing he still believed I was responsible for Mia's condition. Would he ever believe me? Would he ever listen and try to understand my side of the story? Would Maxon ever trust me?

I whimpered as I sat there, attempting to whisper encouraging words to myself, but they eluded me. The past five years had been immensely challenging, raising my two kids on my own. Just when I thought I might secure a job to provide them with a better life, Maxon reappeared.

With great effort, I lifted myself from the floor and wiped away my tears, though they continued to fall. Taking one step at a time, I made my way back to the coffee shop. I had to embark on the job search once more. I couldn't fathom working with a man like Maxon, someone who couldn't support me when I needed him most, someone who pushed me away during my pregnancy. It was simply inconceivable.

I flagged down a cab, and we drove to the coffee shop. I sat there, gazing out of the window, my mind consumed by a whirlwind of thoughts. I tried to shake them off, but they stubbornly lingered, preventing me from focusing on anything else.

Maxon occupied my every thought now, but it wasn't his words that occupied my mind; it was his well-being. I would be deceiving myself if I denied still loving him or caring about him. Yet, what was the value of my love for him if he wouldn't stand by me when I needed him?

Years ago, he abandoned me and the love we shared. I've been attempting to free myself from this love, to dispel the memories we created together, but they persistently resurface.

I shook off those thoughts and tried to contemplate my next steps. How could I secure a good job? How could I restart the job hunting process? No ideas surfaced; I felt trapped.

I shook my head. Would life continue this way? Would I forever be stuck in this cycle? And what kind of life would my children be forced to live alongside me?

I believed my children deserved the best life possible. For the past five years, I had been striving to provide them with just that. However, it seemed as though my efforts were inadequate, and I feared I would never be able to give them the life they deserved.

"Madam, we are here!" the driver said, jolting me back from my deep thoughts.

It seemed he had been calling me for minutes, but I was too lost in my own world to hear him. I nodded in acknowledgment, paid him, and stepped out of the cab.

I stood there for a few more minutes, trying to regain composure. I forced a smile, not wanting Asher to notice any worry on my face and be concerned.

With a fake smile plastered on, I entered the coffee shop, hoping to find Rose behind the counter and Asher right beside her, as usual. However, to my surprise, she wasn't there.

Confusion washed over me. I turned, scanning the surroundings, half-expecting them to play a prank on me, but they were nowhere to be found. Asher and Rose were simply not in the shop. Where could they have gone?

In a hurry, I reached into my bag and grabbed my phone. I dialed Rose's number, but it went straight to voicemail. My fear intensified. What could be happening? Where could they be?

I rushed to the counter, trying to catch the attention of Alex, our co-worker, who seemed engrossed in serving customers. "Alex!" I called out, my voice trembling with fear. "Where is Rose? And... And Asher?" I asked urgently.

"Oh, Sophie," Alex murmured, his face dropping, which only heightened my anxiety. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a note. "Rose left this for you," he said, handing it to me.

I nodded in gratitude and took the note from him. Stepping back, I opened it, my heart pounding in my chest as I read the words to myself: '*Asher is unwell. Meet us at the City's hospital.'*

My mouth fell open in a mix of fear and surprise. What could have happened to my son in the short time I spent at the company?

Swiftly, I gathered my strength, rushed out of the shop, and stumbled back onto the street. I hailed a cab, and it took me to the hospital in a hurry.

During the drive, my heart raced incessantly. Why did this have to happen on the same day I encountered Maxon again? It felt like a warning, a sign to never get close to that man again. He had become a dark stain on my life and my children's lives, and I would do anything to protect them from him.

Impatience consumed me as I sat there, silently uttering prayers for Asher's well-being. I prayed that he would be fine, that nothing would happen to my son. My children were my everything, my reason for living, and I couldn't bear the thought of anything going wrong.

We finally arrived at the hospital, and I quickly paid the cab fare before rushing inside, my legs trembling as I searched for Asher and Rose.

"Sophie!" someone called out from a distance.

I turned to see it was Rose. I hurried over to her and tightly held her hand. "What's wrong? Where is my son? Where is Asher? What happened to him?"

Rose held my hand firmly. "He will be fine, Sophie. He experienced severe back and hip pain, which led to a fever," she explained. "He's still unwell now, but the doctors assured us that he will be fine. He just needs to stay here for a day or two."

A tear rolled down my cheek. How much longer would he have to endure this? How long would he keep being hospitalized while his peers were studying and living normal lives? I felt helpless, wishing I had the power to make him walk again and alleviate his pain.

"Wh...where is he?" I stammered.

"Come, I'll take you," Rose said, placing her hand around my shoulder as we walked towards the room where Asher was staying. "You have to wipe your tears, Sophie. You can't cry in his presence, you know that."

I nodded, although it was difficult to hold back my tears. It was heartbreaking to see my son in such a condition, but I had no choice. I had to be strong for him. I had to stay strong for him and his sister.

We reached the ward, and Asher was lying in bed, asleep. Tears streamed down my face as I sat beside him, gently clasping his little finger with mine.

It pained me to see him suffer. He was just a little boy, for God's sake. What had he done to deserve this pain and constant hospitalization?

I buried my head on the bed beside him, my heart aching. He had done nothing wrong; he was only paying the price for my poor choices. He was suffering because of my mistake in choosing to be with a man like Maxon.

He was bearing the consequences of my own actions. I should never have settled for a man who would push me away when I needed him, like Maxon did.

Looking at Asher in that condition, my anger towards Maxon intensified. But as much as I tried to hate him, I found myself unable to do so. I shook my head, feeling a mix of anger and helplessness. I wished there was a way I could make Maxon pay for being responsible for my son's condition.

"Maxon Ironclaw," I whispered through my tears, "I will make you pay for this. You will pay!"