All That She Needs

Part 34 : Aiden

I caught a brief glimpse of Asha's face before she noticed me. For those few seconds, she looked truly happy, her smile wide and unguarded. She was almost bouncing as she walked, her steps light and carefree. But the moment she saw me, her expression fell, her happiness disappearing in an instant. Her reaction struck me. It was obvious that I was only causing her pain and anger. Knowing that filled me with regret.

I approached her carefully, bracing for any anger she might throw my way—I knew I deserved it. "I know I shouldn't be here," I said, keeping my voice steady. "But I really need to talk to you."

"Okay," she replied slowly, her eyes narrowing in suspicion as she took in the black and purple bruising on half my face from yesterday's incident. She didn't mention it, though, and instead turned to Sandy. "What time do you think dinner will be ready?"

Sandy checked her watch. "About twenty minutes. Should be ready around seven fifteen."

Asha looked back at me. "You have twenty minutes."

"Can we talk in my office?" I asked, catching myself as I added, "Not my office anymore. Just... the office."

She nodded. "Sure."

Asha turned and walked down the hall, and I felt a surge of longing as I watched her. There was something nostalgic in the way she moved—the way her shoulders squared, and her arms swayed. It hit me hard how much I had damaged between us and how many moments I had taken for granted. I followed her silently, unsure of how to begin—or even if I had the right to say anything at all.

We reached the office, and she stepped aside, gesturing for me to enter first. Her eyes barely met mine, distant and guarded. I hesitated before stepping in, searching for the right words, hoping I could somehow bridge the chasm I'd created. But the silence felt heavier than anything I could say. We both took a seat on the sofa by the wall, each settling at opposite ends. The distance between us felt final.

Finally, I cleared my throat. "I was told that I hurt your arms yesterday," I began, forcing myself to meet her gaze despite the guilt and shame twisting inside me. "I'm so sorry, Asha. I'm not going to try to justify what I've done. I was drunk, out of control... and I'll live with the regret of that."

Asha gave me a slight nod, but she stayed silent, giving no indication if she accepted my apology or not.

I took a deep breath to steady myself. "I know I hurt you, Asha. I broke your heart. But yesterday, I finally understood the full extent of the damage I caused and how wrong I was. I was focused only on what I wanted and needed." I paused, feeling the weight of what I had to say next. "I kept convincing myself that I could make it right—that if I tried hard enough, you might forgive me. But I didn't realize that, in the process, I hurt you even more."

Her gaze hardened at my words, and I struggled to find the right way to continue. "You have every reason to hate me, Asha. My mistakes and wrongdoings are beyond redemption. I deserve whatever feelings you have toward me." The word comes out choked and filled with despair, a physical ache in my heart. "I know I am a weak man, a selfish man. I've realized that too late, and it has cost me my family. It has cost me you."

The silence felt suffocating. Asha seemingly unwilling to respond, content to absorb my words. I was expecting that she would be yelling at me, angry at me, but what I saw was only hurt and tiredness. She was tired of being hurt by me. "I know it's probably hard for you to believe me, but I do love you, Asha. I never stopped loving you. But I betrayed you, and I understand that I can never reverse that. I can never regain your trust."

"Aiden," Asha finally spoke, shaking her head, her voice heavy with exhaustion. "Enough. I'm not going to change my mind. I'm divorcing you."

"I know," I whispered, the bluntness of her words pressing down me and making it hard to breathe. My eyes burned with unshed tears, and it took all my willpower to keep them from falling. "I understand that there's nothing I can do to change it now."