My Absence Teaches Better Than My Love

I frowned, then smirked. "Relax. Asher is a selfish, small-minded, and sneaky man. I'm done with him. That scumbag is all yours."

Grace's face twisted with rage. "How could you say that about him?"

She slapped me so hard that I lost my footing, stumbled back, and crashed into the door. The door handle gashed my forehead. Blood poured down, soaking my collar.

Grace still wasn't finished. She snatched the cup off the table and flung coffee at me. Coffee and blood streamed down my clothes.

Heat roared up my spine. I stood, wiped my face clean, and closed in on her. My expression remained ice-cold.

She flinched and backed up, but she still barked, "Don't you dare trash-talk Asher! He's a perfect man!"

I didn't waste words. I raised my hand and slapped her back.

Grace cried out. Before she could react, I clamped my hand around her throat and pinned her to the wall. I kept slapping her across the face.

After more than ten slaps, I saw blood at the corner of her mouth. I finally calmed down.

Just as I was about to let go, the door burst open.

"Rhea! What are you doing?" Asher bellowed.

He barreled in, shoved me aside, and pulled Grace into his arms, his face tight with concern.

I crashed into a chair. The blow caught my spine and left me doubled over.

He ignored my pain and the mess, then scolded, "You went too far! How could you hit her?"

Grace immediately played the victim. "Honey, it hurts so much. She slapped me. My face is ruined!"

She even broke into loud sobs. "I'm your fiancee. You have to stand up for me."

Asher looked stricken as he stroked her back in concern. "I know. Don't cry."

He raised his head, ready to tear into me, but his words died when he saw my calm expression and the disappointment in my eyes.

He hesitated, then turned back to Grace. "Let's get you to the hospital. I'll deal with her later."

Then, he scooped her up and carried her out.

I snorted as they left.

There it was. Asher's mask was slipping. If he were to put on a show, I'd put one on, too.

In the past, catching him with another woman would've set me off. So if I acted too composed now, he'd get suspicious.

After I got home, I threw a fit, playing the unreasonable woman. I cried my eyes out and smashed things in a rage.

Carl called the family doctor to check my injuries, but I threw the doctor out.

Eventually, I cried until I had nothing left and collapsed on the floor. I kept calling and texting Asher, demanding to know what was going on with him and Grace, as well as where that left me.

He hurried home soon after.

He sent the maids away, hauled me into his arms, and said in a sincere voice, "I'm sorry, babe. Today was different. I had to take her to the hospital first. Please don't be mad."

I shoved him away, sobbing as I demanded, "How did she suddenly become your fiancee? Explain it, or we're done. I'm leaving for good!"

Asher looked relieved to see that I was still as willful as ever. "My father arranged the match, but I'm not going through with it. I'll cancel the engagement—just give me a little time."

I turned away with a snort. "I don't believe you."

His jaw tightened. His voice sounded even more sincere than a moment ago. "It's true. Believe me. You're the only one I love."

I ignored him and threw a tantrum, pounding my fists against his chest. "Liar! You're lying to me again. I don't believe you."

Asher let me hit him. He said whatever he could to calm me, as if he were soothing a child, and he kept asking for my forgiveness.

Although I kept hitting him, he didn't get angry. He just held me and let me vent. I only stopped when I decided the drama had gone on long enough.

After I calmed down, Asher patiently applied medicine and bandaged the cut on my forehead. He knew I had cooled off when he saw how calm I looked.

He even went into the kitchen and cooked for me himself. He made all my favorites, but they didn't taste the way they used to.

Maybe we just weren't us anymore.