Chapter 2

Elyssa POV

On the drive home from the hospital, a text popped up on my phone screen.

“Come to Velvet Hour. Let’s make up for our anniversary party.”

He still remembered?

Had I… misunderstood him?

I rested a hand on my belly and whispered, “Baby, should we give your dad another chance?”

There was no response, of course. The pup was still far too small.

After hesitating for a moment, I changed my mind and asked the driver to turn back.

Velvet Hour was dimly lit, the air thick with a mix of citrus peel and sharp liquor.

The moment I pushed open the door, I froze.

Asher was sitting with Raya.

She tilted her head slightly toward him, and he looked back at her with an easy smile，so warm and carefree it felt like they were the ones who should be celebrating tonight.

My steps faltered. A sharp ache clenched at my chest, and for a second, I almost turned to leave.

But Asher was already waving me over, so I forced myself forward and slid into the seat across from them.

Asher reached for my hand. His palm was warm, the gesture so natural it made my heart skip a beat.

“Raya wants to apologize for what happened with the flower arch,” he said softly.

Raya jumped in.

“I’m really sorry, Elyssa. I didn’t plan things properly and ruined your anniversary party.”

Her voice was sweet as honey, but the apologetic look and smile she gave were aimed entirely at Asher, not me.

I nodded and gave a small, polite smile, unwilling to stir up any more trouble.

“What would you like to drink? The owner’s a friend of mine. Let me make you a cocktail.”

Before I could answer, Raya was already on her feet, striding toward the bar.

As her hands flying expertly from one bottle to another, Asher’s eyes followed her every move, his expression full of proud and admiration.

“Even with her injury not fully healed, she still wanted to make it up to you herself,” Asher said. “You should try to be more understanding. Don’t treat her like an enemy all the time.”

He flipped open a small velvet box and slid a ring onto my finger with practiced tenderness.

The oversized moonstone caught the dim light, casting a delicate blue-white glow that made me gasp in awe.

Asher lifted my hand and pressed a gentle kiss to the back of it.

“I was going to announce our marking ceremony at the party,” he said softly. “Don’t worry, I’ll make it up to you.”

His gaze was warm and tender, achingly familiar, the look I’d fallen in love with.

In that moment, all my worries and pain seemed to vanish.

I was lost in his gaze, willing to trust him once more.

“Ta-da!” Raya reappeared, sliding a cocktail toward me. “Try this. I just learned the recipe.”

Without thinking, I lifted the glass and took a sip.

The rim was dusted with a fine powder, giving it a strange texture…

I drank again, then suddenly froze.

“Raya… what’s on the rim?” I asked.

She smiled. “Almond powder! Just a little—it makes it taste amazing, right?”

My fingers stiffened, and the glass nearly slipped from my hand.

“Asher,” I choked out, “I’m allergic to almonds. You know that.”

Raya’s smile instantly faded, and she shot me a sharp glance.

“Come on. It’s barely anything. Just admit you don’t like me and stop hiding behind your allergies.”

Asher blinked, caught off guard, then quickly tried to soothe me.

“It’s only a tiny amount, probably nothing will happen… Raya didn’t know about your food allergy, you can’t blame her.”

Soon, my skin began to itch, and my breathing grew shallow.

I grabbed Asher’s hand, gasping.

“I don’t feel good… Take me to the hospital.”

Raya sneered, snatched a small box from the bar, and slammed it down in front of me.

“Just take two pills. You’re making a fuss over nothing. So dramatic.”

I picked up the box and my eyes immediately landed on the warning:

Not for use during pregnancy.

A chill ran through me, and I pushed the pills aside.

“No, Asher. I’m not taking this. Take me to a hospital, please.”

He seemed not to hear me.

Opening the box, he pushed the pills and a glass of water toward me.

“I really do spoil you. Such a tiny issue and you have to make a scene? Tell me, why won’t you take it?”

My vision blurred. I couldn’t explain.

I couldn’t risk him finding out about the pup.

Raya’s eyes turned red.

“It’s all my fault, Asher. Everything I do is wrong, arranging the venue, the floral arch, even making the cocktail…”

She looked at Asher, pain written across her face.

“I know Elyssa’s never liked me. I tried so hard to please her… and this is how it ends.”

The warmth in Asher’s eyes disappeared, replaced by ice.

“Elyssa, take the pills,” he said. His tone was no longer a request.

I clutched my swelling throat and shook my head violently.

“I can’t… hospital please…”

“Asher… I shouldn’t have come back. I shouldn’t have shown up in front of you.” Raya suddenly ran off, crying.

Asher jumped to his feet, ready to follow her.

I grabbed the hem of his jacket, pleading, “Please… take me to the hospital first… I’m begging you…”

His voice was icy, completely void of warmth. “Elyssa… bravo. You deserve an Oscar for that performance.”

He brushed my fingers off the fabric with a flick and strode after Raya.

My throat felt like it was on fire, my breaths coming in shallow, panicked gasps.

In desperation, I swept the glass off the table.

It hit the floor, shattering into a thousand pieces.

And my heart shattered right along with it.