The Lies I Believed

Happy Ending?

It's been four years since I moved to New York. Asher proposed to me as he had promised and left for France a few days after I'd won my case against Luca. Vincent had gone with him, so it was a good while before I saw either of them again. It wasn't that hard to take care of the kids and have a stable job at the same time. My hours were flexible enough to have some free time if I needed it.

When Asher and Vincent returned from France, we immediately got married in Bali. Of course, the media had something to say about it. They claimed I was going to end up just like my mother. I wasn't particularly fond of being married twice, so why would I want to be married three times, then brutally murdered? Why were they even coming after me like this? It's not like I had ordered my own step-father to kill my mother. Although, I really wish that had really happened.

"Hey, the kids are finally asleep," I said as I closed the door to our room. "Vincent is spending the night at Ian's. Maybe we could..." I raised my eyebrows suggestively at Asher.

"Oh, you're sneaky." Asher chuckled and put his book down. "Come here, babe."

I giggled and got into bed with him. He pulled me closer to him and let me rest on him under his arm. I love being near Asher whenever work is no longer on his mind. He always has time for me and shows his soft side. He rarely gets angry and it's like he forgets he's my husband and not a housekeeper. Unlike our past housekeepers, he's less thorough and likes taking breaks to mess with me.

Usually, I don't mind when he does that, but sometimes I have to focus on work for a bit. I had already started my plans for starting a therapy business here in Manhattan. Asher was all for it. He even tried to make a deposit on the best building here, but I refused the offer. I needed to do things myself. I didn't need anyone caring for me 24/7. I won't know failure if someone is helping me every time it looks like it's not going my way.

"How was work?" I asked.

"Mmm, pretty slow. I'm planning to go check on everything in Queens and Brooklyn tomorrow. I'd love it if you joined me," he said. "I don't like going alone. Especially if I know you have a day off."

"Are you sure you want me to go with you? I still have to check in on everything happening in Palm Springs. Vincent's birthday is coming fast and I want everything to be perfect."

"Rylie?"

"Mhm, and I'm sure you wouldn't want me distracted with calls the entire time."

Ever since I'd moved here, I've been seeing more and more of Rylie. She claimed she was doing more tours in New York, but I knew it was more to that. She was taking a long vacation with her family. It was one she deserved very much. Just a few days ago, she'd flown to Palm Springs in hopes of being Vincent's surprise party planner. I thought it was a good idea.

"Also, she told me she'd get everything together, so I'd be around to make sure Vincent knows nothing. He's going to have a party before we leave for the weekend."

"That's going to be a lot of cake."

"It sure is."

We sat in silence for a few minutes, each of us thinking about something that happened to the both of us today. I really wanted to tell Asher about this guy at work, but Lewis keeps popping up in my head. Asher and Luca never liked him, and to think there's someone I work with that reminds me of him. His looks and all. He thinks he can get anyone he wants. Married or not. I genuinely hate him and do hope something bad happens to him. I know a few people who would love to help, but I don't want to give Asher a reason to want to make me find another job. I like where I work.

"By the way, I heard Sha'Kera and Hayden are having a hard time with their marriage," Asher muttered.

"Ah, they're always having a hard time." I sighed. "She shouldn't worry too much. It's not like he's another Luca. At least, I hope not."

"True. If you talk to her, maybe she'll tell you what's up."

"And risk them really leaving each other? I learned my lesson from last time. Plus, I know that Hayden will do everything he can to fix them until he can't. You can't deny he has charm."

We grew quiet. What Sha'kera told me last night suddenly popped into my head. I don't know if Asher knows anything.

"Hey, did you hear about what happened to Sha'Kera?" I asked.

"No. Is she okay?" Asher kissed my forehead.

"She got robbed. I wonder if Hayden's taking it well. He never really shows any feeling. You know what I mean?"

"Mhm, he's just that type of guy. Considering he has worse things to worry about, he probably won't mind that someone wants what he has."

"Like his image?" I tried not to laugh. "I've never seen someone so obsessed with looking good. Then again, I'm obsessed with guys who look like you."

"...You're weird." Asher chuckled. "That's why I married you. You know your place when necessary. How about...we do what you suggested earlier?"

I laughed and slid from under his arm. Asher leaned over and turned off the light on his nightstand.

There's a lot I'm grateful for in life and Asher is at the top. There's nothing in the world I would trade him for. Without him, I don't think I'd be where I am today. He's always promised to make sure I'm living my best life. Even though two of our kids aren't his, he cares for them just as much as I do. That's more than enough to show people I'll never leave him.

Sometimes I can't help thinking of all the suffering I went through with Luca. There's moments I think about that have me wondering why I chose to stay with him for so long. I could have left so many times. Brad always told me it was just business, but it wasn't. He knew that. I fell in love with a man who thought violence was the answer for everything. He grew up with parents who loved him and that's how he turned out.

I thought I was going to have to worry about Asher, but I haven't been afraid he's going to hit me one of these days. He's too much of a gentleman to hurt anyone. Then again, Brad has always wanted me to watch out for him. Asher used to have terrible anger issues in the beginning of our marriage. We all know I forced it to work. There was no way I was going to live up to the expectations society had for me. Never.

"Just so you know, I ordered that thing."

"...Ash, seriously!"