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.

Scarlett’s point of view.

Little Ashley's cries had been relentless, and I was at my wit's end. I'd tried everything - diaper changes, feedings, and even online research - but nothing seemed to calm her. A call to my doctor revealed the culprit: too many clothes.

I quickly switched her to lighter attire, and she finally succumbed to sleep. I was exhausted, having endured a full day of her crying. I was just drained, physically, emotionally, and mentally.

Tears pricked at the corner of my eyes, threatening to spill over. It took me everything to push the thought of sadness aside, trying to focus on the future. I had to take care of Little Ashley; I definitely couldn't do it while sobbing. I had to control my emotions and think only about her.

I let out a deep breath as I swung the door of the closet open; my hand grasped a nightdress. A lone tear flowed out of my eye as I brought it to my nose.

Scarlynn’s fragrance of love entered my nostrils, and it felt like she was closer to me, even though she was so far away from me, she was unreachable, and I'd never see her again.

I pushed all the thoughts out of my mind. I decided to put on clothes before that man comes home.

After getting ready, I walked across the room and sat on the couch, resting my head against the backrest. My eyes drooped, and I closed them, trying to gather my thoughts and process everything that had happened. As if that was too much to ask?

The door to the room swung open, and Asher walked in, his footsteps echoing through the room.

My brows furrowed as I gazed at him; his steps were uneven. The air around him reeked of stale alcohol, and I instinctively covered my nose as he drew closer.

"There you are, little whore," Asher said, his tone laced with bitterness.

As he walked closer, I tried to cover my nose as much as possible, hating the smell of alcohol.

Asher tossed his jacket over me, and I leapt off the couch. "What's wrong with you, huh? What's your problem?" I asked, my tone stern as I shot him a glare. He let out a scoff.

"My problem is you, whore," he said, his tone dripping with disdain. "You don't belong here but in the streets."

He took another step closer to me, and before I could react, he grabbed me by the neck, tightening his grip.

I gasped as he squeezed, trying to remove his hands, but he wouldn't budge.

For a moment, I thought I was going to die until I kicked him in the groin. He quickly let go of me, groaning in pain. My breath came in short gasps as I tried to catch some air, a sharp pain cutting through my neck.

"How dare you cheat on me? I've been nothing but faithful to you, and you go and sleep around like some shameless whore?" Asher's tone was laced with disgust.

I didn't know what he was talking about, but I knew my sister wouldn't have done that, even if she was forced into this relationship. I wasn't going to let him talk bad about my dead sister.

My eyes locked onto his , my gaze steady and unyielding. "Asher Black, you will not treat me like some kind of trash," I said, my voice firm. "You will not insult me ever again, do you understand? I'm letting this go, but don't ever try it." I grabbed his hand, dragged him to the bathroom, and pushed him inside the shower.

He was too drunk to even try to push me away. I turned on the cold water, letting it fall on him. "Call me when you come back to your senses," I said, turning to leave.

As I made my way out of the bathroom, I locked the door behind me.

Just when I thought I was going to relax, little Ashley started crying, her wailing echoing through the room. "This is just my luck!" I muttered under my breath.

I strode over to the bed, scooped her into my arms, and held her close to my chest. For some reason, I wasn't scared to hold her, maybe because I was getting used to being a mother. I just prayed I would do a good job raising her.

Ashley immediately fell asleep, but when I tried to put her back in her cot, she started crying again. I decided to just hold her while she slept.

My mind wandered back to what Asher had said. What was he accusing my sister of? Scarlynn was not a cheater. She had dated a couple of guys in high school, but that didn't make her a cheater. Asher was just a jerk with no backbone, and maybe the alcohol was talking.

Whatever it was, I wouldn't let him accuse my sister of having an affair. She wouldn't have done it, no matter what. I trusted her.

"Scarlynn, open this damn door!" Asher's tone was laced with fury. A growing sense of irritation spread through me, my patience wearing thin. I wondered what my sister had gone through living with such a jerk.

I decided to let him sleep in the bathroom tonight and deal with his nonsense tomorrow. It was his punishment for raising his hand on me.

Next time, he would think twice before trying anything. I didn't even realize when I'd fallen asleep, sitting on the bed with little Ashley in my arms, her head gently rested on my chest.