Chapter 2

"Three days later, I will be waiting for you at the manor with my luggage."

After achieving the result I desired, I let out a long sigh and hung up with trembling hands. With nothing left, all I could use as leverage was my unborn baby.

"Where are you going three days from now? Why are you bringing luggage?" Asher pushed open the door with a hint of panic and Lucy, dressed in a haute couture dress, followed him in closely.

She stood at the door as she looked at me, her eyes showing reluctance and resentment.

Asher held me tightly, as if letting go would make me disappear before his eyes. "Elle, are you leaving me? You know I can't lose you. I won't be able to survive without you!"

He rubbed against my neck like a puppy. Even his voice had a touch of coquettishness.

My heart was bitter and sore. Eventually, I comforted him softly, "It's my father. We haven't seen each other for two years. He wants me to go back and visit him."

Asher looked up and said to me without hesitation, "Let me go back with you. It's been two years since we got married, so we should indeed visit your father. Don't worry, I'll arrange everything."

He was as understanding as ever, taking care of everything for me.

My eyes stung, and my heart ached even more. I thought, 'Asher, if you don't love me, why are you so good to me? You make it impossible for me to forget you, even when I have to leave you.'

Lucy walked over with a smile, seemingly unintentionally bumping into me before gasping and falling into Asher's arms.

"Ah! Elle, I just came to talk to you. Even if you don't like me, you can't push me!"

Lucy nestled in Asher's arms, looking up at him with a pitiful expression. "Asher, Elle has never liked me. She won't agree to my moving in. I'd better leave."

Asher quickly hugged her tightly, as if holding a precious, fragile object. "Lucy, don't talk nonsense. Elle is very well-behaved. Why would she target you?"

He looked up at me, his eyes full of trust. "Elle, Lucy is a bit lively, but she doesn't mean any harm. She was just trying to play a joke on you. Her pipes broke and her house flooded. She's homeless and will be staying here for a few days. She doesn't mean any harm and just likes to play pranks... Can you tolerate her?"

Lucy raised her fist and playfully punched his chest. "Hey! How can you belittle your sister like that and defend your wife? I didn't do anything and you're already protecting her. You've forgotten about your sister now that you have a wife!"

Asher grabbed her playful hand, his eyes filled with a tenderness I had never seen. "Who can put up with your bad temper besides me? I wonder which man will marry you."

Asher's expression darkened considerably as he finished speaking.

Lucy raised her head, her forehead almost touching Asher's chin. "I won't marry then. I have the most powerful brother in all of Naples, and you promised to support me forever!"

The two leaned close together, their posture intimate and suggestive.

I felt as if I had lost my breath. I just stared blankly as my blood ran cold.

After what seemed like an eternity, Asher finally seemed to realize what was happening and hurriedly pushed her away. He coughed twice to cover his embarrassment and explained to me, "Elle, we siblings are close and like to play around like this. Don't... overthink things."

My hand clenched slightly, but my voice remained gentle and submissive. "It's okay, I don't mind."

As soon as Asher breathed a sigh of relief, Lucy held up the Gucci bag in her hand and made a face at me. "You're so generous. I won't feel guilty then! First come first served. You weren't as fast as I was and couldn't beat me. This limited edition bag is mine now. Don't be upset!"

I looked up and saw that she was holding the exclusive Italian Gucci bag that Asher had promised to give me, a birthday gift he had promised to give me two months ago. Lucy was holding it in her hand as she proudly showed it off to me.