Chapter 101: She Is Everything To Me

Ashton's POV

I couldn't get away from my head the sad expression on Megan's face as I drove away from her house. But I need to come home since I have an early meeting tomorrow. But I already called my secretary yesterday to take good care of the flowers. I want the fresh flowers to be ready before Megan arrives at her office, and I have already coordinated with Megan's secretary.

I didn't tell Alice about my surprise for my fiance because there was a strong possibility she would tell Megan, and I didn't want to ruin the surprise. I could still feel the aftermath of my proposal. It was perfect, but I admit, it would be more fun and happy if my mom and dad were around, but I don't want my father to hurt Megan again.

And I am hoping before our wedding day, my mother had already convinced my father to change his mind. All I ever wanted was for my father to accept Megan into the family. It was my only wish. And I felt terrible that not everything was in place. I wanted to have a good relationship with my father after we got married because it would be nice living our lives without grudges toward anyone.

I felt so frustrated, but I needed to go on and show Megan that everything was alright. Megan's parents accepted me after I hurt their daughter, and they welcomed me into their family warmly, and I couldn't wait to spend another time with them. I love watching my future parents-in-law having a good time with Axel, and I wish one day I would be able to see my child on my father's lap.

"Why did you come home if you will only look like shit, Ashton?" My sister asked right away the moment I got inside the house, and she was sitting on the sofa in the living room with her laptop on her lap.

"I don't have a choice, Belle, I needed to see a client first thing in the morning at the country club, and I would be having breakfast with him and his team," I responded as I strolled into the living room, settled on the couch beside her, and leaned my back on the backrest.

"And why are you still here in the living room? Why didn't you go on my study so you could type comfortably." I said as I closed my eyes.

"I was only checking some reports, that is all, and I am comfortable right here." She responded.

"Why do you look so sad, Ashton? Is something wrong?" My sister asked, and I shook my head.

"You are now engaged finally with Megan, and you should be wearing a beautiful smile on your face and not a scowl," she added.

"I am so happy now, Belle, and you know that. I just couldn't stop thinking about mom and dad, especially dad. I already had a serious talk with mom, and she promised to help me, and I am so happy that she wanted to meet Megan and Axel, but I don't think dad will be happy to meet my fiancee and our son." I said with a loud sigh.

"Well, I don't want you to be disappointed in the end, Ashton; look at me; I think I will be single forever." My sister said, and I looked at her with tenderness because I could feel what my sister was going through, and she couldn't deny that she was still in love with Dexter.

I know they both tried to avoid each Other since Megan and I got back together. My sister is so apprehensive about meeting Megan's brother, the same with Dexter, but I don't think they can avoid one another when I marry Megan. And I am sure during our wedding that will be the time they will see each other.

"Are you ready to meet Dexter?" I asked my sister, and I could see how her face turned red, and I knew she would always feel the same way towards him. She let out a soft sigh before she looked me in and shook her head.

"I have been telling myself that I am ready to meet him, but I hated that every time you mentioned his name, I would feel so weak all over again. And to be honest, I don't want to see him, but I know it is inevitable because you are marrying his sister, and Megan will become my sister-in-law." She answered.

"And it means we would see each other during special occasions, and I think all I need to do is be civil towards him since I can't just shut him off, and maybe if we meet again, that would be the time I could finally say I am over him." She added.

"It has been ages ago, yet it still feels like yesterday, and everything is fresh to me, including the pain, and I realized the wound in my heart never heals." She continued with sadness on her face.

"Oh, Isabelle, I didn't know you were still hurting," I mumbled, touching my sister's hand.

"I need to look okay, Ashton, and do you know what makes me going?" She asked, and I shook my head.

"I know it was crazy, but the idea that Dexter is still single makes me happy, and it gives me consolation. And I wanted to thank him for doing that, and I hate that sometimes I believe it is because he is still in love with me." She continued.

"There are moments in my life that I think it was easier to pretend that we only have a long-distance relationship, and we are still living in the old era where the internet, gadgets, and phones are not yet present," Isabelle said, and I could feel her pain.

"I also believed that Dexter is still in love with you, Belle. But I don't want to give you false hope, but I think you could be right," I responded, and she half laughed.

"Don't make me laugh, Ashton; if Dexter is still in love with me, he could have contacted me by now and told me everything." My sister declared.

"I didn't communicate with Megan for eight fucking years because of our father, yet I never stop loving her," I responded, and she smiled at me.

"And that is true love, my dear brother." She replied with a broad smile on her face, but it quickly vanished as she averted my gaze.

"It has been more than a decade since we haven't talked and faced each other, and I think it was long enough," Isabelle said, and we both fell silent.

I couldn't sleep thinking about my sister. I love Isabelle, and I know I would be lost without her guidance. She has always been my rock through the years. She is a loving and caring sister to all of us, and if I could only convince Dexter to talk with her, I should respect his decision. It was his choice, and I don't know why he didn't speak with her until now.

I woke up early and hit the gym, and I felt so inspired as I drove my car to Majuscule Country Club. It was a beautiful morning, and I hated that Megan couldn't have lunch with me, and I understood she would be busy today. Dealing with international affairs is very vital in running our company, and I still wanted to be the best CEO even if I was not sure if I would still be the CEO after my father found out, I proposed to Megan.

I was in a good mood after my early meeting, and I got so busy the moment I got inside my office; my morning turned so bad when I saw Claire getting inside my office with swollen eyes, and I knew right away that she would cause me trouble.

"How could you propose to Megan so soon after canceling our engagement? You make me a laughingstock all over the country; people are saying bad things about me. I hate you, Ashton." She said as I could see the tears that trickled down her beautiful face, and I was so lost for words because I didn't want to make any woman cry. I didn't want to hurt Claire more, but I couldn't be with her.

"Claire, you know it was long overdue, I am sorry if this is happening right now, but I could no longer wait and prolong my agony. I wanted to make Megan my wife, and you have to believe that I don't mean to hurt your feelings." I said as I got up from my chair and walked towards her.

"Sorry? Is that all you can say after you tarnish my reputation? Do you know it was a big slap in our family? And my parents are so disappointed with you. I will not feel this way if you will only marry someone better and beautiful than me; you are marrying a nobody, Ashton." She said with disdain in her voice.

"Megan may be a nobody to you and everyone else, but she is everything to me, and she is the mother of my son, and you know how much I love her, Claire, love should be the main reason why you will marry someone, and I can't marry you just to please my father, and to build a business relationship, and you should do the same," I responded, and she cried even harder.

"I will marry you because I love you, Ashton." She yelled, and I held her shoulders to make her look at me and listen to me, but I got shocked when she hugged me. I didn't have a choice but to take her into my arms, hoping she would calm down, I felt her tighten her arms around me, and I felt so glad when she ceased crying, but it felt like my entire body turned so cold, and I wished I had driven Claire away when I heard Megan's voice behind me.