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I took a deep breath and clenched my fist, forcing myself to stay calm. “What’s the meaning of this?” Seeing my anger, Camilla immediately shrank behind Asher, her expression like a frightened kitten. “Ash, I told you Avery would be upset. What should I do? It’s all my fault. Maybe I should just move out…” she
croaked.
Asher gave her a comforting look and instinctively shielded her, frowning slightly as he turned to me.
“Avery, Camilla needs to stay in the master bedroom. There’s nowhere to put your things, so just pile them up here temporarily.”
I laughed in disbelief.
If they wanted to play out their little fantasy, they could at least leave me out of it, right?
Shaking my head in frustration, I picked up my things to take them back to the master bedroom. “She can stay, but in the guest room.”
I’d barely taken two steps before Asher blocked my path.
“The guest room’s cluttered with storage items; it’ll take time to clear it out. Besides, Camilla isn’t in good health and needs a room with better light. She’ll just use the master bedroom for a few days; you can sleep in the study for
now.”
His tone was so matter–of–fact that I stared at him, stunned. This was the man I’d been married to for six years, the one who had knelt in front of my parents and promised to protect me forever. I thought I already knew him, yet he repeatedly refreshed my knowledge.
We had three bedrooms in the house–one master and two guest rooms. Since my pregnancy, Asher had moved to one of the guest rooms to ensure I had a peaceful night’s rest. The other guest room was filled with storage and
unused items.
Looking at my personal belongings piled haphazardly by the door, I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. “You had time to move my things, but not to clear out the guest room?”
Squinting my eyes, I spat sarcastically, “Asher, you knew the guest room wasn’t ready–why did you bring her
here?”
“Can’t she stay at a hotel? How can you tell your wife to sleep in the study?”
Asher stood like a protector, keeping Camilla safely behind him. Seeing my fury, he frowned and said, “Hotels aren’t clean, and Camilla’s always been sensitive. She can’t sleep well in unfamiliar places.”
“Avery, you know how fragile Camilla’s health has been since we were kids. Anyway, it’s just for a few days.” He then sighed, as if making a generous compromise. “I know this is hard on you, so how about you sleep in the guest room, and I’ll take the study.”
He looked at me with the earnest belief that he was offering a fair and reasonable solution. But all he’d done was
make me lose all faith in him.
I turned my gaze to Camilla’s innocent–looking face, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Can’t sleep well in
unfamiliar places? But somehow you’re fine with my bed?”
“Well, Ms. Brooks, since you’re so fond of taking other people’s things, consider it yours.”
I let my things drop, then dialed a moving company.
Camilla, playing the victim, clutched my sleeve and apologized softly. “I’m sorry, Avery. I didn’t realize you’d be this upset about me staying here. It’s all my fault. I’ll move out right away.”
But she made no move to leave. Instead, with tears shimmering in her eyes, she continued, “Ash, please don’t
ruin your marriage because of me. It’s my fault this time. Please, go and comfort Avery…”
Asher looked at her, filled with sympathy and affection. The more she lowered herself, the more protective he
11:58 AM
My Love for You Has Faded
became.
“You don’t have to leave,” he said, patting her shoulder. “It’s just the master bedroom–I still get to decide who
stays in it.”
Then he turned to me with a cold glare.
