Chapter 7
With that, he left without looking back, leaving Daphne to cry in despair.
Asher returned home, feeling lost. The empty house reminded him of the times we spent together, flooding his mind with memories.
He remembered the first time I cooked, making a mess in the kitchen, and the food was inedible. But he happily ate it all, saying he’d do anything to see me smile.
He thought of us curled up on the sofa, planning how to decorate our wedding house.
He recalled the countless nights he worked late, and I waited for him, keeping him company.
But now, all that was gone. He had pushed me away himself.
Asher picked up the ring on the table, clutching it tightly in his hand. The pain in his heart was almost unbearable.
He dialed my number countless times, but the only response was the cold, automated message: “The number you dialed is not in service.”
I never thought I’d see Asher again. I believed that after I left, he’d happily marry Daphne since I was always in his way.
In Area 51, away from the outside noise, I immersed myself in research.
not only achieved remarkable results but also met someone I could spend my life with.
I wanted to take Jude to meet my family.
But I didn’t expect to see Asher the moment the plane landed,
Ten years had passed. He was no longer the confident CEO Asher. Time had left him with gray hair, and his once domineering face was now Vifeless as if his soul had been drained.
12:07 PM C
<
When he saw me, his lifeless eyes suddenly sparked with life.
But when his gaze fell on my hand intertwined with Jude’s, his eyes filled with tears.
He blocked my way, harshly questioning why I abandoned him.
I simply raised my hand calmly, telling him, “The past is in the past. I’m married now.”
Asher looked like a lost child, muttering to himself, “Did you really marry him?”
“Why did you choose him? When did you meet him?”
“Cora, will he treat you well?”
He grew more agitated, eventually shouting.
“I waited for you for ten years! Cora!”
After ten years, Asher was still so inexplicable.
But there was nothing to hide about this.
Jude is my mentor’s son. He treated me like his own daughter and often brought me to his home.
That’s how Jude and I met.
He fell in love with me at first sight and asked his father to matchmake us.
But back then, my heart was with Asher, and I rejected him without hesitation.
I never expected him to follow me to Area 51.
In the Northwest, his gentleness and persistence moved me.
The day I agreed to be with him, in the Gobi Desert at sunset, his smile was gilded by the sunlight, so gentle.
He carefully took a small flower from his pocket, saying it was like me, resilient and his eternal Thea.
His deep affection pierced my heart.
His love was passionate yet gentle, drawing me in.
Those ten years taught me what true love is.
Real love isn’t about taking, but giving.
After hearing my words, Asher’s eyes unknowingly filled with tears.
“Cora, did you marry him to get back at me?”
“Are you still angry at me? I can explain what happened ten years ago. I waited for you for ten years. You can’t do this to me.”
Asher blocked my path. His cheeks were sunken, and his whole being seemed filled with madness.
His eyes were glazed, but he seemed unaware, shaking his head and muttering. “It must be this. You’re still angry at me, aren’t you?”
“Is it because of Daphne?” He tried to grab my hand, but I avoided him. Asher didn’t seem embarrassed, just stared at me obsessively.
“Cora, I know it’s because of Daphne, right!”
His lashes trembled, deep and crazed.
He had built a cage for himself and trapped himself in the past.
<
He started telling me how he took revenge on Daphne, and his words terrified me, convincing me even more that leaving him was the right decision.
After kicking Daphne out of the company, Asher took away all her assets and left her with massive debts.
Daphne was forced to hide, like a rat everyone wanted to catch.
But Asher still wasn’t satisfied. He revealed her location to debt collectors, watching as they broke her legs.
No matter how much Daphne begged, he remained unmoved.
As Asher recounted this, I felt a chill in my heart.
Thank goodness I saw through his true colors and didn’t fall deeper.
“Cora, are you satisfied now?”
