02.

Reily’s POV

I sat at the bedside, staring at the new IDs, passport, and plane ticket in front of me. My new identity was Maria Sanchez. I was going to start a new life in Chicago, away from Asher and his new family.

I was going to stay with Leo’s friend, who I’d be working for in return for the favor.

Just as I was about to put the documents away, I heard the door open. Asher walked in, a smile on his face.

"Hey, babe," he said, walking over to me. "What's up?"

I quickly hid the documents, trying to play it cool. "Not much," I said, forcing a smile. "Just getting some work done."

Asher nodded, sitting down next to me. "I'm glad you're working hard," he said. "I’m proud of you."

He grabbed my hands.

I looked away, fighting the urge to pull away. Anger surged within me. Knowing that they were the same hands, he touched her wig.

I reminded him that our anniversary was tomorrow. "Don’t forget that tomorrow is our anniversary," I said, trying to sound casual.

Asher's face lit up with a smile. "Oh yeah, I didn't forget," he said. "I got you a gift, and I am sure you will love it."

I felt a surge of anger at his words. He thought a gift could make up for what he had done.

"I have a bigger gift for you," I said, my voice cold.

“It’s been 2 decades, yet it feels like yesterday.” He smiled, kissing my hands.

No jitters or butterflies.

Just bald.

I nodded, unable to come up with something, feeling disgusted by the lying bastard.

"We've got so many more decades ahead of us. I'm going to document every moment I get with you, tell it to our kids, and maybe even carve it into my headstone someday."

I stayed quiet. His sweet voice buzzed in my ears, but it felt distant.

There was no time left for us, just a few hours left, and I will be gone. It will just be him and his sweetheart.

Asher looked at me curiously, but I just smiled, and he leaned in to kiss me.

As our lips touched, I felt nothing. No emotion, no tingling sensation. It was just an empty, hollow feeling.

Asher pulled back, smiling at me. "I love you, Riley," he said.

Lies!

But I didn't feel anything. I just smiled back at him, feeling empty and hollow inside.

“Asher—“

Before he could answer, the phone screen lit up.

I could almost swear I saw “Sweetheart” on the caller ID, but he didn’t let me see much; he got up and picked up.

“Asher!" Her scream was audible through the phone.

The silence alone filled the air, making her whimper through the phone.

“Hey! What’s wrong?” He asked, tensed.

"I have a stomachache," she sniffled. "I slipped and fell in the bathroom... my baby, she cried.

Brandon frowned. "Why didn't you call me when you decided to go to the hospital? Alright, stay calm; I will be right there."

“No, it’s fine. I can get there myself; I just thought to let you know.”

His tone turned serious. “No! I will be right there. Are you crazy? You can’t be alone in that condition. I'll come get you."

"No! Brandon, I can get to the hospital on my own. Don't forget, today is Reily’s ovulation day. You need to stay with her and make sure you two have a baby!"

“That can hold; one more time with her isn't going to magically get her pregnant. You're what matters right now.” He says before cutting the call.

He turned to me.

“I got to go; something came up.”

And he left, not waiting to hear my response.

My heart shattered into a million pieces, knowing I had lost Asher forever.

His heart belongs to her now; she is his priority now, not me.

I picked up my phone and dialed the doctor’s number.

He picked on the third ring.

“Mrs. Wilson, is everything okay?” He asked, worry laced in his tone.

Nothing was okay; it was like my whole world was crumbling right in front of me, yet there was nothing I could do about it.

All these years are going down the drain… like they never happened.

“Y-yes,” I stuttered, clutching my throat, feeling it dry.

“Okay, what is it then?”

“I need you to recommend abortion pills for me,” I say, the bitterness at the tip of my tongue.

He tried to talk me into telling him why I was going through with an abortion or having me change my mind, but I was adamant.

If I was starting afresh, I needed to erase every memory or thing having to do with Asher, which includes the baby too.