Chapter 70: Chapter Seventy

Astral's POV

“Baby… I missed you so much, my love,” a crying voice said over the phone, at some point, I forgot to breathe and I fisted on my thigh. I removed the phone from my ear to check the caller's number once again.

In a normal state of mind, I would memorize the number to carry out my findings. But I am in too much shock to assimilate anything at this moment.

'Baby… my love' those two words rang in my head the way I heard it on the phone. It was a female's voice, I am sure of it.

'Was he cheating?’ I thought and my heart continued to pound loudly and I placed the phone back on my ear

“It's me, Gael. Ashely, your first love," The phone lost hold of my grip when I heard her, but I was quick to catch it before it fell on the floor. The words hung in the air and I felt my heart was being squeezed.

'Is Gael aware?’ I asked myself and returned my gaze to his phone, it showed she hadn't ended the call yet.

I heard some movements up the stairs and I hastily ended the call and placed his phone back to where I had picked it from.

'My prayer was for her not to call back' Gael walked down the stairs and I wiped off the lone tear I wasn't aware of that fell on my cheeks.

He walked up to me and looked at the plate in front of me, “Hey, you haven't finished your soup," he said but my gaze was on him.

'Is this the first time she was calling him?’ I thought inwardly, from the way she sounded. It shows this was the first time perhaps.

'Will he leave me?’ I locked my gaze on him and I saw him furrowed his brows in confusion before he gave a flirty expression.

“You don't have to make it so obvious. I know I am good-looking," he chuckled at his own words but my stiff expression didn't flick for once.

When he realized I wasn't smiling, he asked, “What's wrong?" He placed his hand on my forehead. I shook my head negatively and picked up the spoon.

‘Why was I feeling insecure?’ I placed my hand on my left chest, in an attempt to calm my racing heart. He looked normal and so casual, I recalled what he had told me the day I asked what he would do if Ashely should return.

“I would do nothing but hold onto you tighter because my past is nothing compared to you. You are my present and my future… my wife,” that was what he told me. But that was when he didn't know she would return, now that she called him, is she trying to make their relationship work again?

“Astral," I heard Gael call my name, I looked up to find him looking concerned, “Did I do something?" He asked me with some emotion in his expression.

I looked away from him, if I stared too much, the tears I was holding could burst out. I pushed the plate forward, “I will be in my room," I said as I stood and was about to walk away when I heard him speak behind me.

“Our room," he corrected and came to stand in front of me. He raised my chin for me to look at him, “What's wrong?" He asked again but I turned away, "It's just a slight headache..”

"Really?” He asked before I could even finish talking, "Here,” he walked me to the couch and made me sit, "Let me get your drugs,” he said as he rushed to go get them. I hate it when I feel weak, perhaps due to my injury, it contributed to making me feel sad.

I heard how fast his running steps were behind me, I felt a tear fall on my cheeks. I wiped it off, another one fell, I wiped it off until I couldn't control it. I was so stupid, why didn't I think a time like this would come? I was just a replacement bride.

I shouldn't feel sad, right? But, why was my heart aching? I sniffed in my silent sob. I harshly wiped off my tears when I heard Gael’s hurried footsteps behind me again.

I sat comfortably and maintained my composure, “Sorry, I am late. I thought it was in our room but I…” his voice trailed off when he saw my face, I couldn't hide it.

I cleared my throat and tried to act nonchalant, "My drugs,” I demanded and forcefully collected it from him, "Are you hurt? Why are you crying?” He asked but I didn't meet his gaze.

If I do, the worst can happen and I don't want him to see my vulnerability.

"I will rest here,” I informed him and closed my eyes, resting my head on the couch after taking the drugs. I was having a throbbing headache.

"Astral,” I didn't respond to him. I heard him sigh, "I know our relationship isn't stable, so there is still some distance between us. Why don't we give our relationship a trial?” My eyes flung open when I heard him and I turned to him.

He looked very serious and his expression changed when he saw my face, "I don't know what's making you feel this way.

But now, you have me to lean on,” he said with an assurance and I covered my face with my palms, "Please, can I hug you?” I asked as I raised my head.

"No,” he declined with a straight face and I was lost, then I saw him smile, "You don't have to ask. I am all yours,” he said with his arms wide open and fell into his embrace.

I began to cry loudly, I didn't wanna lose this scent. I wanna keep inhaling this scent every day.

The more I think about Ashely's return, the more I feel hurt. I am less worried about Gael, he has assured me already. But what of his Mum?