Chapter 180 I Love You, Asher

Chapter 180 I Love You, Asher

Asher barely registered the words coming out of her mouth. His whole attention stayed locked on Love as she struggled to push herself up from the couch.

The second she tried to stand, he moved on pure instinct, sliding a strong arm around her waist and gently easing her right back down onto the soft cushions.

His brows knitted together with deep concern. “You need to stay put and rest.”

Love clutched desperately at his shirt like she was terrified he might vanish if she let go. Her fingers twisted tightly into the fabric while her eyes searched his face, overflowing with fear, regret, and raw vulnerability.

“Please…” Her voice shook badly. “I just need to hear you say that you forgive me.”

Those words hit him harder than he ever expected. Even now, Asher still couldn’t wrap his head around why she’d done what she did.

The betrayal still sat heavy in his chest like a stone. It hadn’t changed how deeply he cared about her, but the wound felt so fresh and painful.

Loving her and actually forgiving her were two completely different things, and his heart wasn’t ready to move past it that quickly.

He carefully loosened her grip without hurting her.

“Be good for me,” he said, his voice staying calm even though the emotional distance in it was impossible to ignore. “I’ll get your food.”

Love watched him walk away, her chest squeezing so tight it felt like she couldn’t breathe at all.

She had really shattered his trust. There was no excuse for it, none at all.

The only thing she could do now was prove with everything she had just how sorry she was.

For so many years, she had seen Asher as nothing more than that protective big brother who was always right by her side. She never questioned those feelings because she honestly believed they would never change.

But the moment he started pulling away, the moment his warm, familiar smile disappeared, the moment his eyes stopped softening whenever they looked at her, a deep, terrifying fear took root in her heart.

She suddenly realized just how much he truly meant to her, it was almost cruelly funny.

Her heart had picked the absolute worst possible time to finally wake up. Right when her feelings for him were exploding stronger every single second, he seemed to be drifting farther and farther away.

A few minutes later, Asher came back carrying several containers packed with all kinds of dishes. He arranged everything neatly on the coffee table, then pulled her phone from his pocket and set it gently beside her.

“It slipped under the seat in the car,” he said, his eyes meeting hers for just a brief moment. “Your parents kept calling nonstop. I answered and let them know you’re safe with me.”

He slid the phone a little closer to her. “Do you wanna call them back?”

Love glanced down at the phone before looking back up at him. A faint smile stretched her lips, but it didn’t reach her eyes at all.

“You already talked to them,” she said with a small shrug. “There’s really nothing else for me to say right now.”

She waited, hoping. Even now, she expected him to chuckle like he always did whenever she tried to lighten the heavy mood between them.

But instead, nothing. His face stayed calm and almost completely expressionless.

The warm glow that used to surround him whenever he looked at her had been replaced by a thick wall she couldn’t seem to break through no matter how hard she tried.

“In that case,” Asher murmured as he uncovered the dishes, “you should eat something.”

His tone felt a little gentler this time, but the chill in his eyes still hadn’t melted away.

Love bit the inside of her cheek, desperately searching for anything that might crack through the ice between them.

Then an old memory suddenly flashed through her mind. She looked at him with hopeful eyes.

“Can you feed me?” she asked softly, offering a tiny, shy smile. “Just like when we were kids.”

The request caught him completely off guard. Back then, Asher had always loved playing the role of the protective older brother.

He’d proudly remind everyone that he was taller, stronger, and completely responsible for keeping Love safe. No matter where they went, he stayed right by her side, making sure nothing could touch her.

He even insisted on feeding her whenever they ate together, claiming it was all part of his big-brother duties.

Meanwhile, Love had always fought tooth and nail to prove she didn’t need any of his help. She hated feeling like the younger one and constantly reminded him that she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself.

That sweet old memory slowly softened his expression.

For the first time since they’d gotten back, the corner of his lips lifted into a small, reluctant smile. “Okay.”

He picked up a fork, scooped up some of her favorite salad, and held it toward her. Love leaned forward happily and took the bite, her eyes never leaving his face.

While she chewed, she grabbed another fork, cut off a piece of grilled chicken, and stretched it out to him.

Asher looked at the offered bite before gently shaking his head.

“I’m not really hungry.”

Love immediately lowered the fork and pushed away the hand that was about to feed her again.

Her lips puffed out into the most stubborn little pout. “Then I won’t eat either.”

Asher blinked in surprise. This wasn’t like her at all.

The Love he knew always insisted on handling everything herself. She hated depending on anyone, especially him. Every time he tried to spoil or fuss over her, she’d act all tough and pretend she was older and stronger, refusing to let him baby her.

But now, she looked nothing like that fearless, independent girl. She looked soft, fragile, almost like a little kid desperately craving comfort and closeness.

Somehow, it suited her perfectly. His heart softened even though he was trying so hard to hold onto his hurt.

A helpless smile broke across his face. “If that’s what makes you happy…” He leaned forward and accepted the piece of chicken from her fork. “Then I’ll eat.”

Love’s eyes instantly sparkled with pure joy.

She clapped her hands excitedly, looking so genuinely happy that he couldn’t stop the tiny smile from growing on his lips.

Without thinking, she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. “I love you, Asher.”

The words slipped out so naturally that neither of them had time to process it. Before she even realized what she was doing, Love leaned in closer, her lips brushed softly against his, and everything around them seemed to freeze in place.

Their eyes widened at the exact same moment, neither of them moved an inch.