Chapter 2

"How about this? If Asher loses the bet, we can have Violet sing for us. I heard she's studying music..."

Before he could finish, Asher kicked him to the ground. His face turned terrifyingly dark.

"What the hell do you think Violet is? She's a serious music student! Not some bar chick!"

Everyone in their circle knew that Violet Shaw was the person Asher cared about most. Her reputation mattered more to him than his own life. If anyone said a single bad word about Violet, they'd end up broken and bleeding the next day.

The guy who'd just made the joke immediately dropped to his knees to apologize. "I'm sorry, Asher!

"I'm an idiot, I'm sick in the head. You're the bigger man here, so just ignore me!"

Watching this, I felt like my heart was being ripped apart. I didn't even realize I was crying until the tears soaked my collar.

Asher had long forgotten the promises he had once made to me.

"Little girl, from now on, you'll stay with me. I'll protect you. No one will dare to hurt you," he'd said.

"Claire, if we're both still single in ten years, let's just get married," he'd said.

I'd held onto those two promises all this time. Yet he'd forgotten them all.

Today marked exactly ten years, and I felt that I really should get married. However, the person I needed to marry wasn't Asher Bennett.

Snapping back to reality, I forced a smile.

"Alright, I need to go get my marriage license. I won't keep you any longer."

The moment I took a step toward the exit, Asher grabbed my wrist tightly. "Claire, what are you trying to pull?

"Don't tell me you actually want to drag me to get a marriage license with you? Can you have some self-respect?"

Looking at his face full of disgust, I felt completely helpless. The Asher who once fought a gang of thugs alone to protect me was long gone. Now, he couldn't wait for me to disappear.

Just as I was about to explain, a sweet voice rang out. "Asher!"

I turned my head to see Violet jogging over to Asher's side. She blinked at him flirtatiously. Asher immediately released my wrist and wiped his hand on his clothes several times before taking Violet's hand. He looked at her tenderly, his voice going soft.

"What are you doing in a place like this? This isn't the right place for you."

Violet put her hands on her hips and pouted with displeasure.

"You have some nerve! I heard your friend was proposing today. That's such an important occasion, and you didn't even invite me? You actually came here alone!"

Panic flashed across Asher's face. Then, he looked around, randomly pulled one of his friends forward, and said with a laugh, "Well, you've been so busy with training lately. I didn't want to disturb you.

"Ray here was proposing to Claire today. You showed up at the perfect time. Let's all witness their happy moment together!"

After speaking, he nudged Raymond Smith. Raymond hurriedly put his arm around my shoulders and chimed in.

"Right! We're about to go get our marriage license!"

I looked up to find myself face to face with his oily, acne-covered skin. Out of everyone in this group, I hated him the most. He was always making crude sexual jokes about me in front of everyone. He was also the one who had ruined my reputation.

Raymond bent down and whispered in my ear. "Asher will never want you. Why don't you be with me instead? I bet I can make you feel amazing!"

Disgust rolled through me. I shoved him away hard and headed for the exit. Seeing this, Raymond moved to pull me into his arms.