Chapter 3

Perhaps due to sleeping for too long, I lay awake for quite a while, unable to fall asleep.

At midnight, I faintly heard Asher cursing under his breath.

"I told you, as soon as she wakes up, you're to get your ass out of the country."

"If she finds out about your existence, I'll end you."

"You're pregnant?"

After that last sentence, I heard the sound of Asher hurriedly getting dressed.

After tidying himself up, he didn't forget to come check on me.

To his surprise, I was sitting quietly on the bed, wide awake.

He panicked for a moment, but quickly composed himself. "Darling, why are you still up so late?"

"I've slept for three years. I don't feel like sleeping now."

He nodded, then cautiously asked, "Did you hear any noises just now?"

I didn't answer, but I was puzzled by his last sentence. Having spent years surrounded by test subjects, hadn't we prepared ourselves for a childless life?

How could Haisley be pregnant?

During these three years, had his body recovered?

Seeing my odd mood, Asher's eyes flashed with conflict, but the vibration of his phone seemed to steel his resolve. "Aria, I'll explain everything when I get back. There's an urgent matter at the company."

"I've been taking care of you for these three years, and haven't worked in so long. Things have piled up at the office."

I remained silent for a moment, then agreed.

Asher walked to the doorway, paused to think, then added, "Everyone knows you're awake and wants to celebrate. I'll come back to pick you up tomorrow evening, so you can see your old friends then too."

"And my parents, they want to see you as well."

I considered it and thought it wasn't a bad idea. Before leaving, I could see my former friends one last time. My in-laws had treated me well, so I might as well say goodbye to them too.

I knew full well where Asher had gone, and even though my heart ached uncontrollably, I could still endure it.

The entire next day, Asher didn't return home.

It wasn't until evening that he finally came home, looking exhausted.

Seeing me, he forced a faint smile.

I wanted to help him tidy up his clothes one last time, just like I used to three years ago.

But when I suddenly moved closer, he instinctively took a step back.

My hand froze in mid-air.

Asher hesitated for a moment, then quickly stepped forward to make amends, "I'm just used to doing it myself, but darling does it better."

I nodded, swallowing the bitterness in my heart.

It was the last time anyway.

"Let's go, Mom and Dad are waiting for us."

We arrived together at the hotel Asher had booked.

For the canary yellow dress I loved most, I put it on specially for this meeting.

The hotel had been reserved exclusively, and unfamiliar faces weren't allowed in.

From afar, the waiter called out loudly, "Welcome, Mr. Blakely, welcome Miss Winters."

I frowned. Asher strode forward, his anger suddenly intensifying, "Are you all blind? This is my wife. Her last name is Grey, not Winters!"

It was the first time everyone had seen Asher like this. Frightened, they immediately apologized to me.

"We're so sorry, Miss Grey. So you're Mrs. Blakely! We've prepared a welcome ceremony for you. Please, come in."

Only after I entered did Asher follow, barely containing his temper.

Asher had indeed put some thought into this.

My college classmates, my former colleagues.

My father-in-law and mother-in-law were already there.

But why did they look so surprised when they saw me?

My mother-in-law walked over, tears in her eyes as she took my hand, "Aria, why didn't you tell us you were awake?"

"You don't know how much we owe to Haisley these past few years."

She hadn't finished speaking when Asher cut her off.

"Mom, why are you saying all this? If it wasn't for Aria, I'd be the one lying in that bed for three years."

Hearing this, she realized he was right and started feeling sorry for me again.