Chapter 3

I walked fast toward the main gate. Asher suddenly grabbed my arm, yanked me back so hard that I stumbled.

His grip on my wrist was bruising.

"Can you give me some respect in front of my family? Stop throwing a tantrum!"

"What do you want to eat? After dinner, I'll have the chauffeur take you to buy it. I'll spend the whole day with you tomorrow, okay?"

His voice softened, as if he were making a massive sacrifice.

I laughed. Everything I wanted came second to his sister. What was I to him?

I wrenched my wrist free and looked at the red handprint.

I chuckled coldly. "No thanks, Mr. Vance."

Without another word, I turned and walked away. This time, Asher didn't follow.

Behind me, I heard Chloe's mocking voice.

"Asher, is she crazy? We're family. She actually thinks we have something going on? Talk about paranoia!"

Victoria was sighing too. "Asher, is this really the kind of girl you like? Her temper is way too big. She’ll cause trouble for us in high society."

Frustrated, Asher ran a hand through his hair. He casually threw an arm around Chloe’s shoulder and walked toward the dining room.

"Mom, stop it. It's annoying. Just let her go. If she wants to leave, let her leave."

"Let's go, Chloe. I'll take you to get your favorite lobster."

Tears finally spilled over. I held them in until I got into an Uber, and then I completely broke down.

For this man, I had turned down a stable job my parents arranged for me. I had moved to his city completely alone.

We had been dating for three years. I thought our love was unbreakable.

I was such an idiot!

The moment I got back to the apartment we shared, I started packing my things.

For two whole days, Asher didn't call or text me once.

I forced myself not to reach out. I started planning my new life.

I messaged the HR manager of a company I had previously turned down, asking if the position of Executive Assistant to the Director was still open.

They replied quickly, saying the job was still mine if I wanted it. They asked when I could start.

I told them next Monday.

Just when I thought I was ready to start fresh, the doorbell rang.

I opened the door. Asher stood there holding a massive bouquet of blue roses. There was barely any apology on his face.

"Surprise!" He forced a stiff smile, shoving the flowers toward me like he was checking off a chore.

"Baby, I'm here to make it up to you. Forgive me, okay?" As he spoke, his eyes drifted past my shoulder, scanning the apartment as if checking for something.

Before I could speak, Chloe popped out from behind him.

She shoved a luxurious gift box into my arms, smiling warmly. "Hazel, don't be mad anymore. If a woman gets angry too often, her skin gets ruined."

Then, as if she owned the place, she kicked off her shoes and slid into my favorite pair of fluffy designer slippers.

Asher walked right in after her, not even looking at me. His attention was entirely on Chloe. "Careful, don't trip."

He pulled me to the sofa. "Baby, look. Chloe came all this way just to apologize to you."

He opened the gift box. Inside was a necklace. The diamond was huge and blindingly bright.

"The 'Heart of the Ocean' necklace. You stared at it at the auction last time. I bought it for you. Do you like it?"

My heart skipped a beat. Before I could process it, he stepped behind me and draped the cold diamond necklace around my neck.

"Beautiful," he whispered, his warm breath hitting my ear. "It suits you."

Chloe, who had been standing quietly, suddenly spoke up. Her voice held a perfect touch of jealousy. "Hazel is so lucky. You're so good to her, Asher. I'm almost jealous."

She walked over, staring directly at the necklace on my neck. Her lips pouted, and her eyes welled up with tears. "Asher, I've grown up with you, and you've never bought me such an expensive gift. At the auction, I told you how much I loved the 'Heart of the Ocean,' but you pretended not to hear me..."

The warmth on Asher’s face froze, replaced instantly by guilt and affection for his sister.

He cooed, "Be good, Chloe. Next time I find something nice, I'll buy it for you first."

"I don't want next time. I want this one," Chloe pouted, grabbing my arm. "Hazel, you have the kindest heart. Can I just borrow this necklace for a second? Just a second, to see how it looks on me..."

"I..."

Before I could even finish my sentence, Asher frowned impatiently. He looked at me and said, "Just let her try it. It's just a necklace. Chloe likes it so much, why are you being so petty?"