Page 67 of Asher

She kept her gaze locked with mine as she continued, “After the third time it happened, he didn’t do it again. He hasn’t been with another woman in years Co. Think about it. Dad doesn’t lie. Dad doesn’t sugarcoat anything. He’s blunt. We’re twenty-one now, Co.”

I shook my head, “While that’s nice to hear, it still doesn’t negate the fact that he’s married.”

She shook her head, “So, you're going to miss out on the best thing that’s ever happened to you and break my dad’s heart.”

I got it.

She was loyal to her dad.

I couldn’t fault her for that.

But I couldn’t fault her for breaking her promise to me.

And I told her as such, “Do you remember when we watched,Diary of a Mad Black Woman?”

She looked confused for a moment, and then she nodded. “Yeah, but what does that have to do with anything?”

“I asked you to make me a promise. Do you remember?” I asked as I looked at her.

Her eyes widened, and then I watched as shame colored her features, “Yeah.”

And that promise consisted of if I ever let a man step out on me for any reason or make me the other woman, then I wanted her to get me as far away from that man as possible.

I smiled sadly, “I need time to forgive you. I still love you. But I need time.”

She shook her head, “But why will you offer that to me and not Dad? That I don’t understand.”

I felt the tears coming, and I tried to fight them, “Because you only hurt my feelings. What he did... he ripped my heart out and crushed it with his boot.”

Stella didn’t say anything to that.

No, she knew me.

She knew that once I made my mind up, I was done.

That was why I sat there as I watched Stella walk out of the house.

Only then did I get in my comfortable pajamas, grab the ice cream and a spoon, and curl up in my bed, and yes, I ended up crying myself to sleep.

The only good thing to come from all of this was that I got a raise at work, which allowed me to move out of my parent’s house.

All the while I moved, I ignored the men on the bikes who tried to step in and help the movers I had called.

Each one of them, before they gave up trying to help, shared some words with me.

All of them consisted ofAsher was a dumbass. But he tried to end things with her before he pursued you. Give him credit, Chloe.

In my head, I knew they were right. But my heart... well... it didn’t agree.

Three days later, when I went to pay my rent, I smiled at the landlord and gave her my name and apartment number.

She typed it into the computer, read something, and then looked at me, “You're good.”

I tilted my head to the side, “Sorry?”

“You're paid up for the next year, Hun. You're good.”

“I don’t understand. I haven’t even paid this month’s rent yet. How am I good?”

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