THE RECONCILIATION ( ASHER'S SIDE )

=ASHER's POV=

I look at her all day and sometimes she catches me looking at her. I was hesitant about my decision. But I think this will be the best for us. For them, for that Charles. We can be friends and she can introduce me to Charles.

She sat in front of me. I didn't seem to want to open my mouth so I let out a sigh of relief. I'm gonna miss her as my wife. I thought I can fix this when she returns but it seems that I punish her more. I just gave her more pain.

"What is this?" she asked while looking at the envelope.

"I removed your debt to me. Hunter has a share in the hospital so take it a shared interest," I began. She looks at me and did not interrupt. "Red Agency contacted me. They asked about your performance and I said you're doing a great job,"

"Thank you," she replied. I averted my gaze to not meet her eyes.

"Ashley, can we talk as Ashley and Asher?" She nods at me as an answer.

"Sure,"

I am hesitant to open this topic with her. I'm not ready yet but I think this is the right time.

"Open the envelope,"

"What is this?"

"Open it." I saw her forehead furrowed.

"Annulment?" I nod and smile. I saw the sadness in her eyes as she stared at the paper. "Aren't you still not forgive me?"

"I forgive you already. That's why I filed an annulment so that you and Charles can be free to get married." She shook her head then looked at me while crying.

"Us or you and Pau?" She asked sadly.

"No, I've never loved Pau. It's only you Ashley, I still love you since then up until now. The first woman I love and the last. I'm doing this for you because I know you're having a hard time. So I'm letting you go. It hurts for me but this is the only way to keep you from getting confused. I'll give you all your rights. Everything for you so you and Charles can get started."

I was stunned when she stood up and approached me then knelt in front of me and held my thigh.

"What if I do not want to?" he asked.

"Ashley,"

"What if I don't want an annulment, will you force me? You will hurt me to sign? You will hit me over and over to force me?"

"No, I don't know. My mind changes when I'm drunk and I hurt you even if I don't want to. Forgive me because I'm carried away by my anger. The pain you gave me before always crossed every time I am drunk. I don't want to hurt you but I can't help myself." I don’t want to hurt her but I do it unintentionally. I don't want her to suffer at my hands that is why I am setting her free.

"I don't want to, Asher, I don't want to sign that annulment. Even if you bit me again and again, I'll accept as long as you are with me. Don't go now, Ash, I'm sorry but I still need you." I am confused by what she was showing. But I let her cry in front of me while kneeling. She held my hand and I couldn’t help but cry at what she was doing.

This is what she wants but why does she seem to not want it? What does she really need? I thought she cannot leave that Charles, but why is she doing this?

“Ashley,” I had many questions in my mind. I am confused by her gesture but I couldn’t help to ask.

"Am I selfish, Asher, if I ask you to stay by my side? I don't want you to lose my sight. Am I selfish if I ask you to sympathize with my grief when Charles leaves me?"

"Ashley, why are you doing this? Why are you torturing us?"

"Because I love you but I have an obligation to him. I love you and only you but I can't turn my back on him. I only have an obligation to him but you are the one I love. Only you and no one else. Will you agree, Asher? Will you agree? Will I be able to lean to you when he leaves me?" It was as if my heart was pounding with the pain that I can see in her eyes.

I don't know why she's doing this. Why is she torturing us? I thought this is what she wanted but now she doesn’t want it. I don't know but I'm confused by what she wants.

But I nod then held her hand. I know she loves me because I feel that way. But why is this happening to us? Why we are both struggling and confused.

"Ashley,"

"Please, Asher, I'm begging you. Not now. Please, I'm asking you to stay, can you?"

"Yes. As your husband or even as your friend. Where you are happier I will support you. Because I love you so much." Yes, I am ready to be with her. I don’t know if stupidity is called here or what. But I am willing to do everything for her because I love her. Everything she has done I will accept. Repeatedly, but without remorse. I love her and I don't care what anyone else thinks.

I will be the one to decide what makes me happy. I am because I know what is right and wrong with us. I know what will make me happy.

"Thank you, Asher,"

"Ashley," I paused and looked at her and wipe the tears. "Once he's gone, can I take you back? Can you be my wife again?"

She looked at me with tears in her eyes. I also don’t know why I said that. Maybe that's what my heart wants. To take her back despite what happened to us. I don’t care what happened to her or what she did. I will accept her and my love for her never change despite what she did.

"Will you still accept me, even if I left you because of someone else? Even if I hurt you?" I nodded then touched her chin then bent down and kissed her on the lips.

"Yes, even if you repeatedly go with others, I will repeatedly accept you once you come back." She leaned her head on my thigh and there continued to cry. "I won't get tired of understanding you, Ashley. I won't get tired of loving you."

I will hold her hand even as a friend. I am always by her side when she needs sympathy. Now that she came to me and wants me. I will never let her go.

"Thank you, Asher." I caress her head to let her know that I am just beside her and will not leave her despite everything that has happened to us. From now on I will stay by her side.

I may be hurting myself because of Charles. But I'm not leaving because that's what Ashley wanted.

I will not allow her to disappear again. I'm her husband but I'm ready to be his friend if that's what she wants in exchange for her staying by my side.