Love Makes Me Believe

Elyssa POVThe moment the rose-covered arch came crashing down, I instinctively shoved Raya out of the way.Most of the weight landed on me; she only ended up with a few superficial scratches from the falling glass ornaments.I hit the ground hard, the pain knocking the breath out of me.Asher rushed over at the sound, scooping the screaming Raya into his arms, his face etched with worry.Between hiccupped sobs, Raya whimpered, “I just wanted to say hi to Elyssa… I never thought she’d do this to me…”Asher’s gaze cut toward me, cold, sharp, and merciless.A shiver raced down my spine.“I didn’t touch her,” I stammered, gritted my teeth through the pain, “And I got hit too...”Asher’s buddies closed in, their voices overlapping in a chaotic chorus.“Elyssa’s acting again. Look at her, barely a scratch, and she’s already on the floor.”“Meanwhile Raya’s actually bleeding. Talk about desperate for attention.”“Jealousy looks ugly on you, Elyssa.”Their words sliced through the air, throu

Elyssa POVThankfully, the guests at the next table called an ambulance for me.Lying on the hospital bed, watching the IV drip slowly into my veins, fear finally caught up with me.If the ambulance had been even a few minutes later, the pup in my belly might not have made it.I gently stroked my belly, whispering, “I’m sorry, baby. Mom will protect you from now on.”My phone buzzed, and a message from Asher popped up:“Where did you go? Why aren’t you at Velvet Hour?”I glanced at it and tossed the phone aside.After a while, another message came:“Still sulking with me? You really need to reflect on yourself.”Normally, I would’ve replied instantly. I’d always responded eagerly to anything he said or did.But not tonight.No matter how hard I tried to be there for Asher, all Raya had to do was make one call—even in the middle of the night—and he’d drop everything and run to her.Staring at the dark sky outside my window, I let out a bitter laugh.Two hospital visits in two days. an

Asher POVI pushed the door open, and darkness swallowed me whole. Not a single light was on.Frowning, I flipped the switch and stepped inside.“Elyssa? I’m home. Are you here?”Normally, the second she heard the key turn, she’d come running—barefoot, hair flying—straight into my arms.She’d chatter away about every little thing that happened during the day until I couldn’t help but laugh.But tonight, the house was silent and cold.No laughter. No footsteps. No Elyssa.I set the bouquet of yellow roses on the coffee table and pulled out my phone, shaking my head with a helpless smile.“Still mad after all these days… I’ve spoiled you rotten,” I muttered.The notification tone indicated that her phone was turned off.I opened our chat, the last message was from days ago.Looks like she’s still holding onto that mood. I exhaled a laugh that wasn’t really a laugh and pressed record.“Elyssa… remember when I said I wanted you to take two days to reflect? Honestly, I’ve been reflecting

Elyssa – POVIt had been a while since I left Asher.The pup growing inside me was getting bigger day by day. My bump was already showing.Sometimes, he would stir tiny, fluttering movements that felt like a fish gliding from one side of my belly to the other.The new neighborhood I’d moved into was quiet and safe, and everyone at my new job had been kind.Once they found out I was pregnant, they always checked in on me, offering help without me even asking.The things that happened before I left Asher had hurt me deeply, but love didn’t dissolve overnight, not after five years.To keep myself from thinking about him, I often threw myself into work, cramming every hour with tasks until I was too tired to feel anything.It was a Saturday morning when the doorbell rang, dragging me out of a rare sleep-in. I yawned as I shuffled to the door.“I told you guys, just leave the package at the...”The words died in my throat.The man standing outside didn’t say a word.I looked up. And every

Elyssa POVI was yanked to the ground, the impact jolting through my body. Instinctively, I curled protectively around my belly, but cold sweat still trickled down my temples.Asher lunged to grab me but was a step too late.He threw himself forward, shielding me tightly in his arms.When I looked up, Raya stood before us, that same fake, sugary smile tugging at her lips.“Asher, you haven’t been home in so long. Didn’t you miss me?” she cooed. “Come on, let’s go back together.”Asher ignored her, his voice low and urgent as he turned to me.“Shirley, are you hurt? Do you need to go to the hospital?”I shook my head through the pain, my eyes locked coldly on Raya.Then Asher’s gaze shifted to her. Instantly, it turned razor-sharp.“Raya, do you have any idea how far you’ve crossed the line? Out of respect for our years of friendship, I’ll let this go once. But from this moment on, Elyssa and I never want to see you again.”Tears streaked down her cheeks as she screamed,“Asher, we’re