Asher's Point of View

I inhaled deeply, smoke swirling around my face in a haze of nicotine and tranquility. As I exhaled slowly, I felt my tension dissipate.

I sat on the bench, observing the flow of people entering and exiting the hospital.

Everything felt like a cruel joke. It seemed as though the universe was playing a prank on me.

I lost the woman I loved with all my heart, yet I couldn't even mourn her or attend her funeral, no matter how much I longed to. I loved her deeply, but she was gone, and there was nothing I could do about it.

My family has always been the most important aspect of my life. Although I lost my parents at a young age, my grandfather has always been there for me. I would do anything for him.

The reputation of my family was at stake, and I had to do everything possible to preserve it, no matter the cost. Sometimes, you must set aside your heart's desires and concentrate on what truly matters.

"Asher," I  turned my attention to Mister Blackwood. I couldn't believe he thought I was such a fool, but I decided to play along with his game for my own benefit. "Please, let Scarlynn stay for her sister's funeral. It wouldn't be right to take her away before the service," he pleaded, his tone desperate.

I clenched my jaw, my teeth tightly pressed together as I stared at him with a cold, hard gaze. He truly believed I was a fool.

"Did you forget our deal, or should I remind you?" I asked, maintaining unwavering eye contact. "You sold your daughter to my family in exchange for the lavish lifestyle you enjoy now. I can do whatever I want with her, and you have no say in the matter." Rising from the bench, I tossed the cigarettes to the ground and walked away, leaving him pale and in shock.

They could manipulate the truth as they pleased, but the harsh reality was that they had sold their daughter to my grandfather in exchange for wealth while I was in college.

Maybe Scarlynn and Scarlett were still in high school at the time, which is how they became wealthy.

Fortunately, I fell in love with Scarlynn, but she did not reciprocate my feelings. She loved someone else, but due to the repercussions of rejecting me, she agreed to everything, including adhering to our family tradition of providing an heir before marriage.

The only thing left was our marriage, which she could not facilitate, but her sister would take it from there.

As I entered the room, I found Scarlett seated on the bed, cradling the baby in her arms.

Her eyes were red, as if she had been crying for an extended period, while her mother busily packed their bags and the baby's belongings. It was a shame that all her success was slipping away.

Unlike her parents, she was not greedy. She had worked diligently for her success on her own, but her parents' avarice overshadowed everything.

She was unaware of many truths, having been fed nothing but lies by her parents, and had no choice but to accept them as reality.

"Are you ready?" I asked, gazing at her with a cold, unyielding stare. My eyes pierced hers like ice picks, searching for any sign of weakness. She shot me a glare, rose from the bed, took the baby in her arms, and began to make her way out, walking past me.

"Interesting," I thought to myself. Unlike Scarlynn, Scarlett displayed no concern about how I might respond to her if she were to give me an attitude.

It was evident that she sought to challenge me at every opportunity.

A smirk spread across my face as I followed them outside. At least I would have something to keep me entertained; her attitude was quite amusing.

As I approached the car, Scarlett was already seated in the back. The guard opened the door for me, and I climbed in, taking a seat beside her.

"Take care of yourself, my dear," Scarlett's mother said, but Scarlett remained silent, not even glancing at her.

Her parents were the most selfish people I had ever encountered. I was selfish, but they took it to another level. When you combine selfishness and greed, the result is manipulation, which is exactly what they were doing to her. I didn't care about any of it.

The driver started the car, and we drove away from the hospital, heading home. It was a few hours from town, and we would likely arrive in the afternoon.

The ride was quiet until the baby began to cry. I wasn't particularly fond of babies, but it was a family tradition that a daughter-in-law must bear an heir before getting married. I couldn't defy my grandfather, but now Scarlett would have to care for her sister's child on her own. I would provide material support, while she would offer love and nurturing.

Unexpectedly, Scarlett placed the baby in my arms and handed me the bottle. "You haven't held your daughter since she was born. How about you feed her some milk and put her to sleep before you leave again?" Scarlett said sternly, her tone devoid of emotion.

She must have been angry, but her attitude was unacceptable. "What the heck? Just take her away from me immediately, or else!" I threatened sternly, but she scoffed.

"Or else what? Are you going to harm my family because I made you hold your own baby?" she retorted, glaring at me. A chill ran down my spine as I listened to her words, and my anger boiled within me.

"Of course, I will. Just take this baby away from me," I muttered through clenched teeth.

"Spineless jerk," she muttered before taking the baby back and soothing her. As she fed the infant milk, she sang a lullaby.

I couldn't comprehend where she found the audacity to speak to me that way. I would need to put her in her place before she displayed this attitude toward my grandpa, and I knew precisely how to accomplish that.

Scarlett's Point of View

The driver steered the car into the driveway of a luxurious villa. As much as I wanted to admire its beauty, my life was too dull to appreciate anything beautiful. My chest weighed heavily, but I took a deep breath, trying to lift the burden.

I couldn't afford to break down right now; a lot was at stake, and keeping my emotions in check was my only option.

I pushed the door open, clutching the baby to my chest, and stepped out of the car. The guards rushed over to Asher's side, swung the door open, and he stepped out; a line of maids and guards stood by the entrance, all dressed in white and black. I couldn't help but roll my eyes; typical rich people, just trying to show off at their best.

Asher loomed beside me. "Scarlynn, you'd better be respectful to my family, or else?" His eyes narrowed, like he was boring into my soul.

I scoffed. If he thought he was going to scare me, then he had another thing coming. I wasn't scared of him, and I wouldn't let him bully me like he did with my sister.

I shrugged, my shoulders rising and falling in a careless motion. "Or else what?" My tone was unfazed. "Oh, I totally forgot, the great Asher Black will kill my whole clan, right? Oops, sorry, but guess what, I don't give a damn."

Brushing past him, my shoulders knocked against his... "Welcome back, Miss Black," the maids and guards said in unison. I said nothing and proceeded to make my way inside, only to stop in my tracks.

The whole family gathered at the entrance, gifts clutched in their hands. I furrowed my brows, trying to understand exactly what was happening here; it seemed like they were all weird, just like Asher, or else why would they stand here like idiots?

"Welcome back, daughter-in-law," I turned my attention to the calm and authoritative voice. His lined face and air of authority told me that he was the head of the family, probably Asher's grandpa. I just hoped they wouldn't push my limits to the point of venting my emotions on all of them; I was already going through alot.

The lady who seemed to be Asher's grandma walked forward, a smile stretching on her lips as she peeked at the baby. "She is beautiful," she extended her hands over to me, and I placed the baby in her hands. "Her name is Ashley," she muttered.

I rapidly blinked, my eyes racing to keep up with the scene in front of me. What the heck, would they name the child just like that, without even considering the parents of the child?

"But..." Asher didn't let me finish my sentence; he snaked his hand around my waist. I gritted my teeth, trying to remove his hand, but he was unfortunately stronger than me.

"Shut the hell up, and don't you dare say anything," he muttered in my ear, his tone cold and stern.

"Why the heck should I keep quiet? Don't I have the right to name my own child?" I retorted impatiently, my teeth clenched.

"Utter a word and along with your sister, you will also bury your family," he threatened.

A fire raged inside me, fueling my fury. "What more can you do? Spineless jerk!" I shot back. Asher let out an amused chuckle.

"Try me, and you will see what more I can do."

My nostrils flared, my breath quick and ragged. I swear this man was going to be my first murder case. I was simply going to kill him one of these days . I decided to keep quiet and let them do as they pleased.

"Thank you, dear, for bringing us our daughter home as a token of appreciation; we've prepared these gifts for you..." Grandpa's voice trailed off.

“Please accept them…” He added

A lump formed in my throat, but I swallowed it. “Grandpa, I don't need these luxurious gifts.” I said, trying hard to sound as polite as I could; I just hated being here and all these lies.

I just wished I could tell them all the truth and end this matter here, unfortunately, I was helpless; I had no choice but to lie.

“Look at her trying to act innocent and perfect; we all know you are nothing but a gold digger.” My attention snapped to the voice, my eyes locking with hers; judging from the way she speaks, she must have treated my sister poorly, and I was going to show her the worst side of me…

The other lady standing next to her laughed. “These countryside pumpkins always try to act noble but are actually social climbers.” The other lady said, her tone dripping with disgust.

A smirk spreads across my face, my lips curling upward in amusement, a dark thrill runs through me, a shiver of excitement, the kind of evil excitement.

I walked directly to them, my eyes holding a steady gaze on hers. I stood in front of the lady who was first to speak, amusement dancing in her green eyes as her finger twirled around her hair.

“Take back your words.” My voice is low and smooth, a velvet-covered razor. My gaze left hers; each one of them will pay if they ever disrespected my sister. I was nothing like Scarlynn; I fought my own battle, and I won't let anyone make me their doormat.

“Or else what?” She challenged me. I let out a chuckle. I reached up, my fingers tracing the contours of her face, until they tangled in her hair, and I yanked, causing her to wince in pain.

“Take back your words.” I tightened my grip around her hair, her desperate screams filling the whole house.

“Let go of me, you bitch; what the heck do you think you're doing?” She tried to push me away, but I wasn't going to let go easily. I don't know who she was, but whoever she is, she won't try it again. I will use her to set an example for everyone who has hurt my sister.

“Daughter-in-law, what kind of behavior is this?” Grandpa's voice echoed inside the house, but his words fell into deaf ears.

“Scarlynn, what has gotten into you? Why are you behaving like a wild animal?” Granny shouted. The other lady tried to remove my grip, but I wasn't a weakling; no woman here can stand against my strength.

“Scarlynn, stop it.” Asher spoke, his tone lazy and bored. God knows what this jerk might do to my family if I don't listen to him. I decided to release her hair, but not gently. I pushed her so hard that she fell to the ground, bursting into sobs. The other lady rushed to her.

“Scarlynn, what kind of behavior is this? Is this how you behave with your sister-in-law?” Grandpa asks, his tone stern. I turned my gaze to him.

“So she is allowed to disrespect me, and I'm not allowed to defend myself?” I shot back. Asher threw a glare at me, but I ignored it. I have realized just how much he never loved my sister; he threatened her, and his family mistreated her, and he did nothing.

“Scarlynn, you were never like this; what has gotten into you?” Granny shook her head in disbelief. I rolled my eyes in annoyance. I walked over to her and snatched the baby from her hands.

“Please show me my room; I need to feed my baby and rest.” I said curtly. If I stayed here another second, I was going to do things I would regret later, and I didn't want that.

“You can't just leave; you need to apologize to my granddaughter.” Granny shouted, and I scoffed.

“Yes, you should apologize.” Grandpa added. I just wonder what made them think I was going to apologize. They made my sister's life a living hell; they left her with no will to live. She didn't even try to get treated because of them. I was going to make them all pay.

“I am not going to apologize, and no one here is going to force me,” I declared, my tone firm. “Please show me where my room is. Surely you don't want this newborn baby to starve to death.”

“This is not over,” Grandpa said sternly. I locked eyes with him. “Take her to your house.”

Asher said nothing. He started walking upstairs, and I followed him quietly. He was just a useless jerk. My sister was bullied in front of him, yet he did nothing. He just watched like a useless fellow and then claimed to love my sister. What kind of man was he, who does that anyway? I was sure of one thing: if my sister hadn't come here, she would still be alive today. He killed my sister.

Asher’s point of view

Damn it!!

What have I gotten myself into? Scarlett was nothing like her sister; she wasn't peaceful at all. She made it clear that she won't take any nonsense from anyone. How am I supposed to keep her under my control?

I honestly had no strength for all this messed up nonsense. I just wanted to be alone. A pang stabbed my heart, making it hard to breathe. My mind whirled, thinking of Scarlynn spinning out of control.

I'd never see her again. She has won; her hatred against me has triumphed while my love for her has faded. I can't even mourn her loss; I can't even say goodbye. If I can't say goodbye, then neither can Scarlett. We both loved her and we are both mourning her.

The cries of the baby echoed inside the room. I'd been trying to ignore it, but now it was becoming unbearable. Scarlett seemed to be struggling to put her to sleep. She hadn't said a word to me since we reached the house, nor did I want to talk to her. I still need to think of a way to keep her under my control.

“Little star, please don't cry,” Scarlett’s voice was soft as she talked to Ashley, as if she was hearing what she was saying.

I sprang into a sitting position on the couch, my eyes snapping open.

“Oh wow, the king of the jungle is finally awake. “She shot me a glare “Would you mind helping me with Ashley? She has been crying non-stop,” Scarlett’s voice dripped with sarcasm. She rocked the baby, her body swaying gently from side to side as she tried to calm the wailing Ashley.

My brows knotted together, a crease forming between them as I stared at Scarlett. Her behavior was just unbelievable. How dare she talk to me like that? Wasn't she scared of me? I mean, everyone in this house fears me, including my grandparents, but she?

“Will you stop staring at me and make some milk for the baby?” Scarlett’s stern voice snapped me out of my daze. A sly smile spread across my face, my lips curling upward. I had a plan to put her in her place.

“Why should my child drink milk from a bottle? Why don't you breastfeed her. ” A sense of satisfaction crept over me, like a shadow falling across the floor. Just seeing the dumbfounded expression on her face brought satisfaction to me.

Scarlett said nothing. She stormed out of the room heading to the kitchen , leaving me on the couch. Our house was divided into six houses, each containing a kitchen, dining room, two bedrooms, and a dining room, along with rooms for the babies. The reason was so everyone could get their privacy and do their chores. The maids only come once a week to clean and tidy the house. We only meet as a family every weekend, that's it.

I rested my head against the couch. I will simply use her secrets against her, and she will obey me.

My phone's shrill ring broke the silence and shattered my reverie. I popped up and retrieved my phone from the table. I pressed the green button upon seeing James’s name flashing on the screen.

“Tell me,” I said curtly, waiting for him to speak over the phone.

“Sir, I have clues about the guy who was having an affair with your wife,” James said. I froze on the couch. My heart thundered in my chest, pounding out in a frantic rhythm.

“Sir, are you still there?” James asked. “Would you like to meet him?”

“Bring him to the basement,” I muttered, hanging up the call. I sprang from the couch, snatched my car keys and gun, and stormed out of the house.

I hurled through the streets, passing cars like they were standing still, and arrived at the basement in half the time I usually arrive. I jumped out of the car and rushed in.

And there he was, seated on the chair, his hands and feet tied behind him, his eyes widened when they locked with mine. His face was marred by bruises, proof that James must have done his job properly.

“So you are the lowlife who had an affair with my wife,” I fixed him with a frosty glare, my eyes narrowing with disdain. He shook his head in denial, tears rolling down his face. He used to be Scarlynn’s guard, and the fact that he had an affair with her made him certain I wouldn't spare his life.

“Sir… I swear on my children, I only slept with your wife once. I caught her cheating on you, and I was about to tell you, but she seduced me instead, and I couldn't resist,” he stammered. My hand clenched into a fist, my knuckles whitening with tension. I loved her with all my heart, while she was nothing but a whore who slept around while I was faithful to her. This is the reason why she hid her illness from me.

“Who is he?” My words were clipped, my tone short and curt.

“Sir… I couldn't see his face. He ran away the moment I caught them,” he stammered. My blood boiled, a scalding heat coursing through my veins.

“Cut off his manhood and feed it to the sharks,” my tone was cold, calculated, and detached, my words dripping with venom. His screams echoed behind me as he cried his heart out. I didn't turn to look back. He deserved it. The person having an affair with Scarlynn should just pray I don't catch him, or else he will regret ever being born.

An aching void opened up inside me, a hollow space that seemed impossible to fill. I struggled to accept this bitter truth. I held onto the hope that he would just tell me that she never had an affair and that I was wrong to doubt her. But instead, I was right. She loved someone else and had an affair with him while with me. Could it be possible that I'm not the father of Ashley?

A pang cut through my chest at the possibility. I will just have to confirm it before I proceed with the wedding. I will make sure her whole family pays for this, including her sister Scarlett.

She might have escaped my wrath by dying, but her family can't escape me.