Sara's True Motive

Sara's True Motive
Scarlett’s point of view

I curled up on Asher’s chest as we sat by the fire; he pulled me closer to his chest, his arm wrapped around my back. A peaceful calm settled between us, though a nagging unease about Sara lingered in my mind.

“Scarlett...” His voice was above a whisper. For a second, my heart pounded in my chest. I felt like I would not like what he was going to say, and I hoped I was wrong. Today, I wanted my instinct to be wrong somehow.

Asher’s hand drew circles on my forearm, his eyes locked with mine. “Sara is my ex-girlfriend from high school,” Asher’s voice was above a whisper.

I stilled in his arms, the sound of his words still echoing in my brain. This can't be alright. How can he bring his ex into our house? This has to be some kind of joke. I remained silent, waiting for him to finish speaking.

“She was the hottest girl in high school, and every guy wanted her, but she was a very reserved girl and rejected every guy at school. I wanted her for that reason, so did Mark and his friends, so we made a bet that whoever she dates will be given all the bikes from every guy in our team, and we all agreed on it. Unfortunately, she rejected Mark and all his friends, and she dated me. As part of the bet, I got all the bikes, but Mark and his friends became envious of me, and they decided to teach Sara a lesson. One night, they messaged Sara on my phone pretending to be me and asked her to meet up.”

Asher exhaled. I didn't rush him to speak; instead, I lifted my hand to his face, stroking it, waiting for him to finish.

“When Sara arrived there, Mark and a group of his friends molested Sara, and they left her in the forest half alive.”

My breath caught in my throat, my eyes going wide in shock.

“But luckily, she was taken to the hospital, and she survived. She filed a complaint with the police, and her case was taken to court, and I was supposed to testify on her behalf. But my grandpa pointed a gun at my head and forced me to testify against her to save Mark and his friends, and just like that, she lost the case, and she was sent to the mental hospital because my grandpa made it look like she was mentally unstable. Trust me, I wanted to do something to help her, but I couldn't. I was just a teenager back then, afraid to lose my life. Even today, I’m still burdened by guilt about it, despite never granting myself forgiveness for such cruelty. Seeing her now, that same weight returns. I believe I’ve destroyed her life.”

I cupped his face in my hands, making him look at me. A sharp pang cut through my chest to see his eyes glittering with unshed tears. I hate to see him in this condition.

“Asher, please don't blame yourself for this. None of it was your fault. You were just a teenager who was forced to do something wrong even when you wanted to do the right thing. If anyone is to be blamed, then it's Mark and his friends.”

My stomach hardened to see his tears streaming down his cheeks. Sometimes I love that he is so open with me; he leaves his emotions raw and naked in front of me, but I hate seeing him in this condition. This thing must be eating him up for all these years, yet he chose to bury it all deep within himself, and talking about it isn't easy for him.

“It was my fault, Scarlett. Had I said something in court that day, she would have gotten her justice. And now I feel like my karma is catching up with me. The same thing happened with you, and as much as I want you to get justice, I'm unable to do so, and that thought drives me insane, Scarlett. It's eating me alive.” His voice cracked with emotions, more tears streamed down his cheeks.

I wrapped my arms around him, his hold on me tightened as he pulled me closer to him. I tried to keep my emotions in check for him, trying hard not to think about those nightmares. It was in the past, and I'm moving on in my life.

But I'm afraid that Sara was going to take advantage of his guilt for her own advantage. I knew what happened to her was wrong, but now I'm starting to think this wasn't a coincidence. Maybe she planned all this because she wants revenge on Asher and his whole family. She can't forgive and forget. If I get a chance, I'd murder all those men without a second thought, and I'm sure she wants the same thing.

Revenge!

I'd keep my thoughts to myself for now until Asher has pulled himself together, and I'd make her see what I'm thinking.

The Next Day

A soft kiss on my cheek woke me up from my deep slumber. My eyes fluttered open to meet Arthur's black eyes.

“Good morning, Sweetheart.” His voice was laced with joy. I sat up on the bed, huffing a chuckle. He was in a better mood compared to yesterday, and I couldn't help but be happy to see him in a good mood.

“Good morning, my dear husband.” I greeted, stretching my muscles. As I took in my surroundings, I realized I was sleeping on the bed. My brows furrowed. I don't remember how we even got here. I guess I was fast asleep.

“I made your favorite pancake for you.” Asher flashed a wide grin. My eyes widened as they landed on a tray of food. I leaped off the bed, rushing to the bathroom, leaving Asher seated on the edge of the bed.

I quickly brushed my teeth and washed my face before I went back to the room. I found Asher setting the breakfast on the small coffee table.

A smile spread across my lips as I walked over to him. Instead of sitting on the couch, I sat on his lap instead. He chuckled as he wrapped his other hand around me.

Soon the room was filled with our laughter as we ate our breakfast, fed each other, stole kisses on each other's lips, and chatted. Every moment spent with him felt like I was in my own heaven. It was so blissful, beautiful, colorful, and a world I'd always choose, no matter how many lives I live, with him right next to me.

The sound of the door opening brought the two of us back to reality. My brows furrowed to see Sara entering the room. She didn't even knock, for that matter, and she had only a towel wrapped around her body with no clothes on.

“Umm, sorry for disturbing you guys…” She cleared her throat. “Asher, can you please help me? Somehow the shower in my room isn't working.”

I threw a sharp glare at her. She must be joking. This apartment has more than five rooms. Why didn't she take her shower in one of the rooms instead of coming here, entering our room without knocking with a towel wrapped around her?

“Sure, I will help you.” Asher placed a kiss on my cheek. “I will be right back, sweetheart. Wait for me.” My gaze followed them as they left the room just like that.