HIS OBLIGATION

=ASHLEY's POV=

After Asher and I talk, he offered to drop me home. We are together now in his car. He had already offered me to stay at Leanna’s house. I denied it at first but he insisted so I agreed.

"Asher, Charles is dying, he can't talk, he can't move. Is it ok if I bring you there once to see him and get to know him?" I look at him whether he will agree or not. I decided not to tell him first who Charles is in my life. I prefer to let them meet first before he will know who is Charles.

Not because I want to hurt him. But, I want him to agree because that is what he wants not because out of pity will be the reason for him so he will follow me. I want him to voluntarily agree to meet Charles not because he felt sorry for me. I knew he would be hurt but holding hands we would deal with that pain.

"Are you sure? It's ok with me. If that's what you want there's no problem." I nodded tearfully. He touched me on the cheek and then kissed me.

Maybe this is the right time to tell him the truth. I will introduce Charles to him at the same time as I confess the truth. Then we will face another tomorrow for the two of us together. We may be hurt but at least we will face the pain together.

He starts the engine of his car when there suddenly someone bugged in front of Asher's car so he stops the car.

We saw Paula so we got out of the car at the same time.

"How sweet." Asher approached me and blocked me. Paula raised an eyebrow as she walked closer to us. "Don't worry, I didn't come here to cause trouble. I came here just to inform you, Asher, that I am pregnant with your child." I looked at Paula with a serious face.

"What?" Asher asked in shock then looked at me.

"'Oh, why? Don't tell me you don't know what's going on with us. What's that? You already have amnesia and you've forgotten how you tore me and not let me rest in bed? And hello, maybe you forgot that you're the first man in my life." Pain hits me but I don't move and I have no plans to participate in their conversation.

"You know that Ashley and I haven't annulled yet, do you?"

"I don't give a shit. I don't care if you annul or not. I'll just take my baby's rights. You to be the father of your child so stay with me." I just stood there and listened to them. They talked about their child so I had no right to interrupt them.

"Have you heard yourself? What if Ashley sues us? We're married and she can sue me. Especially since that kid is evidence." I look at Asher who is blushing with anger but unable to raise his voice.

He suppressed his anger while talking to Paula.

"And what, I'm going to abort it?" she asked Asher then turned to me. "Huh Ashley, haven't you ashamed of yourself. The thickness of your face if you do that. You left because you went with another man. And now you still have the desire to file a case against Clifford. He has no obligation to you Isn't he? So, set him free. So that he can fulfill his obligation to me. To our child. Go back to your man."

"Shut up!" Asher shouted.

"Why? It's true that she left you and went with another man, right?"

"I said stop!" Asher was about to slap Paula but I stopped him.

"Ash, don't" I quickly grabbed his hand. "Don't hurt her. You can talk in a nice way." He calmed down and straightened up.

"Fine, I will stand my obligation."

"Wow, but I don't need money. I have money on my own. I need you and your presence to stay with me."

"Are you fucking kidding me, you're using that baby to get me?"

"Yes, why not, this is your baby after all."

"Ashley and I are ok." Paula raised an eyebrow and then looked at me.

"Ow, I see, that is why you act with me now it's like we haven't been through anything because your wife and you are ok."

"Yes, so I am asking you to stop messing with me."

"Mess? You've already messed since that woman leaves you. Your life is in messed since she choose another man." Then she looks at me. "The thickness of your face to came back Ashley when Asher moved on then you showed up. You're selfish. He has no obligation to you but to me there is. He has an obligation to our child."

Why does this happen now? Asher and I are ok and I am ready to introduce him to Charles. But, Paula is right she will have a baby with Asher. It is true that he had a child while mine is not. I can't claim him now that he's going to have a child.

I was the one who left so it happened.

"He's right Asher, you have an obligation to her." Paula is right. Asher has no obligation to me but to her there is. "Let's file an ann ---"

"No!" Asher objected. "No Ashley, you're still here and we're ok? I won't allow us to be separated again."

"But you have an obligation to Paula. To your baby,"

"I also have an obligation to you because you are my wife, legally." Then he confronted Paula. "I will raise the child, fine, because I'm the father and I know you're clean when I claim you. But that doesn't mean that Ashley and I are going to split up. That won't happen again, Paula. And not even more so I won't be yours."

"Fuck you, Asher. You don't know what I can do. And to you Ashley, it's your fault. Why haven't you KILLED." Then she turned and left us.

Why haven't YOU KILLED?

Why?

If I only knew I would bring trouble. Why didn't the kidnappers kill me on that day? If there was no peace in my life no matter what I do.

"Wait here, I'll follow her to talk. Don't leave. Please, don't leave me, again. We're going to meet Charles remember?" Asher asking.

"Asher,"

"Please, Ashley, I'm asking you not to leave me. Please stay here." I nod and he caresses my face. "Please, Ashley, stay in the car, I'm begging you," he pleaded.

"Yeah, I will," I replied. I also stroked his face back to assure him that I would not leave again.

Why so sudden? When you think it's ok and when there is little to fix, then there will be another mess. But it's not superfluous for me to lean on Asher now. Even now I will listen to him and ask for his guidance. I need him at this moment so I will follow what he said.

I was about to get into Asher's car when my mobile rang and I saw Nana calling.

I was suddenly nervous so I answered it quickly.

"Nana,"

"Ashley, hurry up. Charles." Then the call ended.

What happened to my son?

I look at the way Asher walked. He keeps me waiting but my son needs me. I was confused and I don't know what to do.

Clifford.

Charles.

What will I do?

Charles, my son needs me.

'I'm sorry, Asher, but my son needs me.'

Again, and again, I left Asher because of my son.