A week after the night filled with deep conversations about Asher's past, Scarlett found herself increasingly trapped in a relationship she had never intended. Their marriage contract, which was supposed to be just a formality, had become something far more complicated. Asher was no longer just a man she had to deal with in the business world, he had begun to infiltrate her thoughts, her heart.
Day by day, Scarlett could feel the small changes shaping her. She felt more seen, more cared for by Asher. Whenever they were together, even though no words of love were ever spoken, there was a comfort that radiated from Asher, one that was hard to resist. She began to see a different side of the man she had always perceived as cold and unfeeling. Asher was slowly showing a gentler side of himself, one he rarely revealed openly to anyone.
That morning, after breakfast, Scarlett sat in the spacious living room of their luxurious apartment, gazing out at the ever-awake skyline of New York City. Since the big decision had been made, Asher had asked her to stay in the apartment instead of the main house. He reasoned that his demanding workload made the daily commute too exhausting. The apartment was only a few blocks away from Alcor Corp's headquarters, making it easier for him to keep an eye on Scarlett and ensure he was always around when she needed him.
But despite the luxury and comfort that surrounded her, Scarlett's heart was uneasy. Her mind was once again flooded with unanswered questions: Was this relationship still part of the contract, or had Asher truly begun to love her?
The silence of that morning was abruptly broken by the sound of steady footsteps echoing from the hallway. Asher appeared, walking toward her with his usual confidence. He wore a dark suit and a crisp white shirt, tailored to perfection, embodying the charismatic image of a young CEO. Yet the look in his eyes, normally calm and piercing, now carried a weight, one that hinted at unspoken burdens.
"Scarlett," Asher called softly, his voice calmer than usual. "There's something we need to talk about."
Scarlett slowly turned to him, offering a small smile despite the unease in her heart. "Sure, what is it?"
Asher took a deep breath before sitting beside her, closing the distance between them. "I know we've talked about the past a few times already, but I think there's something I still haven't told you. Something important."
Scarlett could sense the tension in his voice. She looked at him attentively. "What is it?"
Asher gazed at her for a moment, as if trying to decide whether he was ready to bare more of himself. "I've started to feel things… things that go beyond the contract. And it scares me, Scarlett."
"You don't need to be scared," Scarlett replied gently, though her heart was racing. "You don't have to feel pressured, Asher. We're just living out what we agreed to."
Asher lowered his gaze, staring at the floor for a moment before looking back into her eyes. "I know we're caught up in this arrangement. But I don't want to lie to you anymore, Scarlett. I've started, started to feel something more. And that terrifies me."
His words hit Scarlett like a storm. The Asher she had always seen as firm and untouchable was now exposing his fears. It was a side of him she had never seen before a side that shook her to the core. Her heart warmed.
"Is it… love?" Scarlett asked, almost whispering, afraid she had spoken too soon.
Asher slowly shook his head. "I don't know. I've never believed in love, Scarlett. I grew up thinking love was an illusion, something that made people weak and vulnerable. But with you, I can't ignore these feelings."
Scarlett swallowed hard, unsure what to say. She stayed silent, trying to process everything Asher had just confessed. It was all so complicated, more complicated than she had ever imagined. Asher Blackwell, the seemingly untouchable CEO, held doubts and fears just like she did.
Yet even as her heart trembled at Asher's confession, Scarlett couldn't shake the guilt that lingered in her mind. Deep down, she knew her own feelings for Asher had started to grow. But were those feelings enough to believe this wasn't just a game? And did Asher truly want this relationship, or was it still just about the contract?
"So, what do we do now?" Scarlett asked, her voice trembling slightly, though she tried to remain composed.
Asher was silent for a moment, his eyes filled with his own confusion. "I don't know. I just want us to be honest with each other. No more lies, no more fear. I want us to start something real, even though I know this situation is complicated."
Scarlett looked at him, then turned her gaze back to the window. She felt the same conflict stirring within her. Could she trust Asher? Could she open her heart to this man, so ambitious and stubborn? Even with their contract nearing its end, these feelings were beginning to consume her, and it terrified her.
"I don't know if I can continue this relationship with so many doubts," Scarlett admitted. "I want to believe in you, Asher, but I'm scared. I'm scared that I'm just a tool in your game. I'm scared this is just a contract that will soon end with nothing real left behind."
Asher looked at her with an intensity he had never shown before. "I understand your fear. And I don't want you to feel that way. I want us to move forward not as two people trapped in an agreement, but as two people who care for each other."
Still, Scarlett felt a lingering unease. As sincere as Asher's words sounded, there were still so many things she didn't understand. And within her, there was another feeling growing, one that gave her hope, but also fear.
"How much more do you want from me, Asher?" Scarlett asked in a near whisper, her voice heavy with emotion. Her eyes locked onto his, full of doubt and unspoken pain. "Is this really about us, or is it just about what you need to secure your position in the company?"
Asher lowered his head, as if her words struck at the heart of his fears. He clenched his hands uneasily, searching for a response that didn't feel like a lie to Scarlett or to himself.
"I don't know anymore," he said softly. "I just know that I don't want to lose you, Scarlett."
Those words, as simple as they sounded, hit Scarlett's heart with undeniable force. Her heart quivered. Was this the answer? That perhaps what she had longed for a marriage born of cold contracts was slowly turning into a real bond?
She didn't know for sure. But for the first time, Scarlett felt there was hope. That behind the walls Asher had built over the years, there was a space beginning to open for her. She only needed to wait to give him time to recognize his own feelings and realize that what was growing between them was not just convenience or habit, but love.
Still, the fear remained. Asher was not like her. His past was filled with wounds and distrust toward love. And while Scarlett had once been hesitant to accept love herself, she could no longer deny the truth. She had fallen in love with Asher. Deeply, and unconditionally.