Chapter 13
That was when Asher discovered how pitiful Nora’s life truly was.
She hadn’t deliberately hurt Riley. She had just desperately wanted to succeed, to change her fate through a successful career, and had done terrible things out of necessity.
That day, Asher had smoked in the car for two hours.
With a hoarse voice, he asked Vivian: “Did we go too far?”
Vivian sighed heavily: “I don’t know, brother. I just know that if Nora had died today, I might never have forgiven myself.”
Vivian had always been kind–hearted: “Brother, should we… help her?”
At first, they just covered her hospital bills and helped her rent an apartment.
Later, he fixed her plumbing, assembled her furniture, walked her dog, and helped her practice violin.
Finally, he pretended to be her boyfriend to chase away unwanted suitors, became her remedy when she was drunk, helped her rejoin the orchestra, and arranged her heart surgery…
“Mr. Blackwell? Are you still listening?” The assistant’s call brought Asher back to reality. His driving slowed: “Have you made a decision? Miss Sinclair is calling again. She says the wound from Miss Hawthorne’s attack is hurting badly and she wants you to come back and comfort her…”
“Turn around,” Asher leaned back in his seat. “Nora has suffered enough. I promised I’d take good care of her.”
Riley was the one who threw a tantrum first. Even if Asher found her a little later… she loved him so much–she wouldn’t hold it against him.
When Asher returned home, before he could even turn on the lights, a petite figure jumped into his arms.
Nora wore a bright red nightgown, whispering in his ear: “I sent Vivian out. Did you… miss me?”
With that, she leaned in to kiss him.
In the past, Asher would have eagerly responded. But now, he was strangely listless, showing no reaction and even feeling somewhat annoyed by Nora’s touch.
His mind was filled with thoughts of Riley.
He remembered the first time he saw her at the Blackwell mansion, her lively eyes seeming to hold stars: “Hi, Vivian’s brother!
I’ve heard so much about you!”
He remembered their first night together, when Riley had blushed shyly: “Asher, you will marry me, right?”
Suddenly, Asher felt guilty. He pushed Nora away, making an excuse to retreat to his room: “Nora, stop. Your wound isn’t healed yet, and I’m a bit tired today.”
“You’re upset because Riley left, right?”
Asher froze mid–step. The next moment, Nora tightly embraced him from behind: “You promised you’d take care of me forever, Asher!”
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Two Chances, One Bullet: How His “Next Life” Promise Failed
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Chapter 13
“I have nothing, Asher. Please don’t abandon me, okay? Riley is gone–she’s not coming back! She doesn’t love you anymore, or maybe she’s already found someone else and eloped with another man! Don’t think about her anymore!”
Her voice broke as she tightened her arms around him “Asher, I’ll love you more than Riley ever could. Please… love me instead?”
Fingering the hands around his waist, Asher recalled his assistant’s words.
He sighed, closing his eyes: “Alright, I promise. I’ll forget her…. and love you properly.”
Chumper Ja
Chapter 14
