Chapter 5

Asher held a storybook, his voice low and gentle.

He softly told Sunny a story until the little girl fell asleep.

Sunny put on a pout, her face full of frustration. "But I just got a dad."

Sunny began to cry loudly, clutching Asher's hand tightly.

Asher comforted her, "Daddy's not going anywhere. I'm here with you."

I chuckled, though there was no warmth in it.

It was no surprise to me that he would stay.

Whenever it was between Cora and me, Asher always chose Cora.

Asher held the storybook, his voice gentle and soothing.

He softly told Sunny a story until she fell asleep.

Cora leaned closer, their lips almost touching.

Asher turned his head away. "Don't."

Cora clung to him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Is it because I'm divorced and have a child? Do you think I'm not good enough?"

"No," Asher replied, "I'm married."

"But you were meant to be mine," Cora insisted, her voice full of certainty.

She looked directly at Asher, locking eyes with him.

"Asher, don't deny it. You've fallen for me, even after knowing Lila for so many years."

"Your feelings for Lila are just familiarity, not love."

"Asher, you love me," Cora stated, emphasizing each word.

Asher avoided her gaze, his expression evasive. After a pause, he said, "Don't think about this now. Just get some rest."

He got up and left quickly, as if fleeing.

I couldn't help but laugh at myself.

I was the first to notice Asher's feelings for Cora.

The first time I saw Cora was the day I tried to end my life.

It was the anniversary of my parents' death.

Every year on this day, Asher would be by my side, doing everything he could to cheer me up.

But that day, he didn't come back.

I called him countless times, but he never answered.

I went to my parents' grave alone, and in my daze, I felt like they had come to take me away.

Without hesitation, I cut my wrist.

When I regained consciousness, I was in the hospital, and I saw Asher.

He was half-hugging Cora by the waist, his expression so gentle.

I rushed over and grabbed him.

"Asher, who is she? What's your relationship with her?"

"Lila, what happened to you?"

He saw the wound on my wrist, his tone becoming anxious.

I insisted, "Who is she?"

Asher checked my wound while explaining, "She's a classmate who fainted, so I brought her to the hospital. Don't misunderstand."

Cora's hostility was obvious; I noticed it right away.

I asked, "Do you remember what today is?"

Asher hesitated for a moment, then realized.

He quickly hugged me, apologizing repeatedly.

What used to be a cold embrace now felt sickeningly sweet.

I pushed him away forcefully, shouting with all my might, "My parents raised you. How could you forget their anniversary?"

"I'm sorry, it's my fault. I promise it won't happen again."

I didn't listen and continued to scold him, "You ungrateful person, you traitor, you—"

Cora shielded Asher behind her, glaring at me angrily:

"If it weren't for Asher, the Su family would have collapsed long ago. Your parents' death wasn't his fault."

I slapped him hard, my palm stinging.

The slap landed on Asher's face, leaving a clear mark.

Asher sighed, looking at me with a mix of helplessness and blame.

He said, "You were reckless and caused Uncle and Aunt's death. Is it only if I die in front of you that you'll be satisfied?"

I looked at Asher, speechless for a long time.

Back then, relatives tried to seize the Su family's business, slandering me and causing my parents' deaths.

Asher faced those threats alone and protected me.

Yet now he too accused me of causing their deaths.

I turned and left.

Asher panicked and wanted to follow, but Cora stopped him.

It was the first time he chose Cora over me.

He spent a long time trying to appease me when he got home before I forgave him.

He promised never to leave me again, but he kept choosing Cora.

Until the hospital caught fire, and he saved Cora without hesitation, not realizing I was trapped in the flames.

Asher was woken up by the alarm clock.

Perhaps he hadn't slept well; he had dark circles under his eyes.

He turned off the alarm and saw the reminder—Father's Day parent-child activity.

I set this alarm to ensure he wouldn't forget our daughter's event.

Asher sent me a message.

"I'll be on time for Little Treasure's parent-child activity, and then we can talk."

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