Chapter 3

"Avery, I purchased this property. It's my decision who stays here," Asher declared, his voice stern. "Camilla's just using a spare room for a short while. Why are you being so difficult about this?"

I gazed at him, unable to speak.

While it was true he bought this house, he seemed to have forgotten that I once owned one too. When his business was on the brink of collapse, he embraced me from behind, begging, "Darling, we need to sell your house. Once the company recovers, I promise to buy it back for you."

Initially, I refused outright. "Isn't there another solution?" I questioned, shaking my head. "That house is my family's heritage—a gift from my parents before our marriage. I can't bear to sell it."

But he was persistent, trying to persuade me for two weeks straight. Watching him—a tall, grown man—weep uncontrollably, hugging his knees in distress, shattered my resolve. Eventually, I gave in.

After the crisis ended, I anticipated him repurchasing it, but whenever I brought it up, he dismissed me with vague reasons.

"The real estate market isn't favorable now; we'd lose money," he'd say. "Besides, isn't this our home now? I'd never force you to leave."

Now, I could only scoff at the notion of "our home."

I sat silently on the couch, waiting. Asher seemed to think I'd calmed down and sighed with relief. But moments later, there was a knock, and I rose to answer—but Asher beat me to it.

"I've got it!"

Outside stood movers in uniform, looking puzzled between us. "Hello, we're from the moving service. Which items should we pack?"

Asher was stunned. "You must have the wrong house. Nobody's moving out."

I stepped in and interrupted him. "Actually, I am. Please come in."

Shocked, Asher turned to me. His face tightened as he noticed me avoiding eye contact. "What are you doing? This is your only home. Where would you go?"

So, he was aware this was my sole residence. "Were you banking on my lack of options to treat me this way?"

He hesitated, then his expression hardened again. "Avery, what's gotten into you? Camilla's only here temporarily. She's not trying to take over. Can't you stop overreacting?"

"I'm not overreacting," I replied, calmly packing with the movers, ignoring him completely.

Irritated, he kicked one of my boxes, breaking it open, as if to halt my actions. I just looked at him coolly, letting the movers reseal it.

"Asher," I said, watching him with quiet contempt, "you're only making me more disappointed in you."

Fear flashed across his face. He moved closer, attempting to embrace me. "Avery..."

Suddenly, Camilla burst into tears behind him. "It's all my fault, Asher! If I hadn't asked to stay, you wouldn't be in this mess, and Avery wouldn't be so upset."

Asher's hands froze mid-air as he released me, turning instead to console his little "soulmate."