My Absence Teaches Better Than My Love

Someone finally lost their patience and stepped in. "Asher, why don't you take Grace home?"

Another person chimed in, "Yeah, she's definitely drunk. Just get her home."

There was another who worried I might be upset and asked me bluntly, "Rhea, you won't be mad, right?"

My face fell. I started to answer, but Asher cut in, "Rhea, I'll take her home tonight, then I'll talk to Mr. and Mrs. Turner about calling off the engagement."

When he put it that way, I had no choice but to go along. I nodded obediently and pretended to be happy.

After Asher and Grace left, the others drifted out, too.

I stood to leave, but I'd barely taken two steps when Carl stepped in front of me.

I stared at him, confused. "What do you want?"

Carl let out a lewd snicker. His face was naked with desire. "It's just the two of us. Isn't it obvious?"

I looked around. That was when I realized we were completely alone. I lunged for the door, but he grabbed me from behind and pinned me to the couch.

I didn't panic. I drove my knee into Carl's most vulnerable spot hard enough to make him scream and let go.

I scrambled to my feet, grabbed a bottle from the table, and smashed it into his forehead. It wasn't enough, so I grabbed a stool and beat him across the back until he went down.

He didn't even have time to react.

Suddenly, someone kicked the door open.

Asher burst in, looking frantic. His eyes widened at what he saw. Carl lay on the floor, bleeding and close to death.

I smiled, feeling pleased with myself.

After Asher hauled Carl out, I received a video from the private investigator. In the footage, Asher sat on the couch while Carl knelt at his feet, bruised and bleeding.

Asher's voice stayed flat. "You touched her? Do you have a death wish?"

Carl trembled, saying nothing.

Disappointment and loathing spread across Asher's face. "I'll cripple you now!"

He stepped forward and pummeled Carl.

Unable to stand the pain, Carl roared defiantly, "Mr. Kline, you don't even love her! What's wrong with me laying a hand on her? I was trying to help you get back at her!"

Asher looked murderous, his voice sounding ice-cold. "She's mine. You don't get to touch her. Whatever I do is my business. What the hell does that have to do with you?"

Carl didn't understand the issue. He thought he had been doing Asher a favor. "But, Mr. Kline, you approved this plan. Ms. Turner said you asked for someone to sleep with Rhea. I figured I'd handle it myself instead of bringing in a stranger.

"It would've crushed her parents if they found out. That was supposed to be the payback. Who could've imagined she'd fight back and blow the whole thing up?"

When I heard that, I dug my nails into my palm until it hurt. Only then did my fury loosen its grip a little.

I never would've guessed that Carl trying to sleep with me was part of Asher's revenge plan. It was no wonder he'd made sure Grace left. No wonder Finn couldn't stop staring at me like that.

Asher's eyes went cold. "I never approved it. I didn't agree to it either!"

Carl froze, looking thrown off. "But you left with Ms. Turner. That was basically a green light."

Asher's face contorted with rage. He drove another brutal kick into Carl as he seethed, "Shut up! I never approved or agreed to it!"

Carl lay on the floor, coughing up blood.