Chapter 26 Not Backing Down

Chapter 26 Not Backing Down

Violet looked down, her eyes fixed on the ring on her finger.

Her heartbeat slowed down, her mind filled with confusion as well as anticipation.

Was Asher just going to ignore the fact that Clyde said they were married? 

Wasn't that what she wanted?

However, living in the same home as him. Was that the right thing to do? 

“What do you think?” His gentle words floated into her ears, straight to her anxious heart. “Will you live with me from now on?”

Violet sighed, contemplations clouding her mind. 

Why not?

They were now engaged.

It was only logical. 

Nodding slowly, she looked up and met his gaze. “Why not?” 

Violet forced a smile and shrugged. “We'll soon get married, won't we?”

The gloom and insecurities in his eyes were replaced by a bright glimmer. 

His hearty chuckles echoed in the living room and he pulled her into a hug. “I was almost afraid you wouldn't agree.”

And for a moment there, Violet thought about saying no.

But why would she? 

It didn't make sense, right?

Asher was already her fiance and she'd accepted a future with him. 

It wouldn't make any sense if she kept on running away.

With her ears pressed against his chest, Violet listened to his rapid heartbeat. Was he still anxious?

She wanted to stare at his face again, but Asher suddenly murmured in her ear, “You're the most beautiful woman I've ever met, Vi. I feel honored to finally have the opportunity to become your husband.”

Violet stilled, those words doing strange things to her heart.

Weren't they too familiar?

Hadn't she heard the same words from a particular someone before?

Was she having a déja vû just now? 

Before she could react, Asher had already lifted her chin. 

Staring deeply into her eyes, he leaned forward to kiss her.

Violet's heart was racing again. She swallowed, blinking as his face got closer. 

W-What was she doing?

Was this even right? 

Their lips were about to touch, but a piercing scream tore through the atmosphere. “Ahhhh! Mummy, help! Help!”

Mimi!

Violet gasped and pushed Asher away.

She took to her heels and rushed up the stairs, almost tripping on her high heels. “Mimi! Are you alright? Where are you?”

She kept on calling out her daughter's name as she hurried in the direction the scream was coming from. 

Asher stood dazed in the living room, his hands hanging mid-air, watching her figure disappear upstairs. 

He shoved his hands into his pockets, hiding his clenched fists. 

Why was he anxious?

Violet had already agreed to stay with him, right?

They were already engaged, and everything that transpired on that Island was only history. 

“Mimi! Mimi!” 

Yet, her anxious yells as she called out her daughter's name did strange things to Asher’s heart. 

It brought a discomfort that she couldn't pinpoint its source. 

He could already sense that Mimi had grown a strong attachment to her father. 

What if?

What if…

Shutting his eyes, Asher took in a deep breath and shoved those insecure thoughts aside. 

He followed Violet upstairs and easily found them in a room on the left wing. 

Mimi sat on the floor, holding her knees, her eyes puffy with tears,

While Violet knelt in front of her, stroking her hair gently. “You weren't supposed to climb that, Baby. Is it very painful? Mummy will take you to a hospital.”

“It's okay, Mummy.” The little girl sniffled. “I'm a strong baby, it doesn't hurt.”

“Don't lie to Mummy, Dear.” Violet smiled, wiping her tears. “If we don't get it treated, it'll get infected.”

“Actually, there's a first-aid box nearby.” Asher chimed in. “Let me see your knee.”

He grabbed the first-aid box from the closet and then sat her beside him on the couch. 

Her wound wasn't big, but the impact must have been huge as her knee was slightly swollen. 

Asher blew on it while gently applying the medication. 

“Ouch! It hurts!”

“The pain will soon go away,” Violet reassured. “Bear with it, Dear.”

Mimi sighed. “The bed’s too high. Hope this isn't my room, Uncle Ash.”

Asher smiled. 

Good thing the girl already guessed they were going to live here. “No. It's the guest room. Your room is down the hallway.”

“You mean Daddy's room?”

“Huh?”

“Daddy will take this room when he comes to join us.” Mimi clapped. “You're so thoughtful, Uncle Ash.”

Asher exchanged glances with Violet whose cheeks blushed in embarrassment.

But she didn't say anything.

None of them said anything, and Asher returned his attention to treating the girl's wound. 

After that, he couldn't wait to leave the room.

He headed to the master's bedroom and washed up. 

After that, he changed into more comfortable clothes and stood on the balcony, watching the enormous field spread out at the back of the Villa. 

Clyde Crawford. 

His presence was bad news.

They hadn't been very close in high school. 

Clyde was one of those guys who rarely spoke with anybody.

They were just acquaintances and he couldn't say he knew him that much. But one thing he knew about the man was that… 

Clyde Crawford would get anything he set his eyes on.

Well, it wasn't gonna work this time. 

Violet was already his. 

Asher didn't care whether she was divorced or still married to Clyde.

He wasn't one to back down from a fight easily.

Moments later, soft footsteps approached from behind him. 

He quickly put out the cigarette in his hand and waved off the smoke. 

“Vi…” Turning around, the words died in his mouth.

Instead of Violet, Mimi stood in front of him with both hands planted on her waist. “Uncle Ash, you promised to take us to Daddy after visiting this place. Mummy and I are ready to go.”