Chapter 194 Asher, We Are No Longer Possible

Chapter 194 Asher, We Are No Longer Possible

Zane's POV

I hardened my heart and tore Ember's clothes apart, groping her trembling chest through her bra.

"Zane! Let go of me——" Ember screamed in terror.

"No." My voice was low and obsessive as I roughly squeezed her breasts. "If Asher can have you, so can I. I can make you feel better than he ever could."

"Stop! Zane, calm down!" Ember struggled desperately, her eyes turning red.

Tears slid from the corners of her eyes and landed on the back of my hand with a soft drop.

I froze. That single tear hit me like burning lava, snapping me back to my senses in an instant. I saw the tear streaks across her face, saw the raw fear deep in her eyes, and a sharp pain tore through my chest.

What was I doing? How could I do this to the woman I loved? I had always wanted to protect her, to make her happy — and now I had become the one hurting her.

I pulled my hand back like I'd been shocked. I climbed off Ember and stumbled back a few steps, turning away from her, my shoulders trembling slightly, my chest drowning in guilt. "I'm sorry..."

"I... I don't even know why I lost control." My voice came out rough and broken. "Ember, I'm sorry... I really didn't mean to... I just..."

Behind me, I heard the soft rustle of fabric. I didn't dare turn around. I just listened as she scrambled off the bed and straightened her clothes.

I stared at the wall, exhausted and hollow, then finally turned to face her. Tears still wet on my cheeks, I looked at her with nothing left in me. "Just go, Ember."

"Zane..."

"I said go!" The shout tore out of me before I could stop it. I saw Ember flinch, startled by the outburst.

I pointed at the door, my voice shaking. "Go, while I still have enough sense to let you. I don't know what I might do if you stay."

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Ember's POV

Seeing Zane like that, completely out of control, I didn't dare say another word. I grabbed my bag and ran out of the room.

It wasn't until I made it outside the villa and got into my car that I finally let out a breath. I leaned back against the seat, gasping, tears spilling down my face all over again. Tonight had been terrifying.

I had never seen Zane like that. The Zane I knew was always gentle, always patient with me — and yet he had turned into someone so unfamiliar, so frightening.

I started the car and drove away from the villa. In the rearview mirror, I watched the house disappear into the darkness, a heavy unease settling in my chest. Something felt like it had shifted tonight. Something that couldn't be undone.

By the time I got home, it was late. Evelyn was already fast asleep, her little cheeks rosy, breathing softly. I sat on the edge of the bed and watched her, and the tightness in my chest eased just a little. I reached out and gently stroked her hair. For Evelyn, I had to stay strong. I wouldn't let either Asher or Zane disrupt the life I was building for us.

After washing up, I lay in bed but couldn't sleep. Everything that had happened tonight kept playing on a loop in my head. Both Asher and Zane — they were wearing me out.

I picked up my phone, hesitated for a long moment, then typed out a message to Zane: [Zane, I'm sorry. What happened tonight — part of that was on me too.] I sent it, tossed my phone aside, and closed my eyes.

The next morning.

My phone woke me up. I reached for it half-asleep, saw it was a message from Zane, and after a moment's hesitation, opened it.

[Ember, I'm sorry. I was way out of line last night. I scared you, and I shouldn't have treated you that way.]

[I know you haven't fully opened up to me yet, and I won't push you. I'll wait — until you're truly ready. But I do hope you'll try to keep your distance from Asher. We're about to get engaged, and people will talk.]

Reading that, I felt even worse. I was pretty sure the reason Zane had snapped like that was because I kept going back and forth.

I wrote back: "It's okay, Zane. I know you didn't mean it. I'll be more careful about keeping distance from Asher. Don't overthink it — just get some rest."

I put the phone down and got up to get ready. Standing in front of the mirror, I frowned at the marks on my neck that still hadn't faded. I dug through my closet until I found a high-neck scarf and wrapped it snugly around my throat, covering everything. The last thing I needed was for people at work to see that. What would they think of me? I had a reputation to maintain.

After breakfast, I dropped Evelyn off at preschool and drove to the office.

I had barely settled in when my assistant knocked and stepped inside, looking uncomfortable. "Ms. Hart, Alpha Asher is here. He's waiting outside."

My expression went flat. "Tell him to leave. I don't want to see him."

"But he said... if you don't let him in, he'll tell everyone in the company that he slept with you and didn't take responsibility." My assistant shifted awkwardly.

I clenched my jaw. "Send him in."

She nodded and slipped back out.

A moment later, the office door swung open. Asher walked in carrying a thermal food container.

"What do you want now?" I asked, my brow tight.

"I brought you breakfast." He set the container on my desk. "You've been running yourself ragged lately. You need to take care of yourself — can't fight the world on an empty stomach."

"I don't need it." I looked away, keeping my voice cool. "Asher, don't come here anymore. We're divorced. This looks bad." When he had rejected me back then, whatever was left of our mate bond had broken for good.

"Looks bad how?" Asher moved closer. "Bad for your image? Or bad for whatever you're trying to build with Zane?"

I looked up at him, eyes cold. "Don't push it, Asher. I haven't even started on what you pulled last night."

"So what are you going to do about it?" He leaned in, dropping his voice. "Want to get even?"

"You——" My face flushed with anger. "Can you be serious for once?"

"I am being serious." The playfulness dropped from his face. He looked straight at me. "Ember, come back to me. I know I was wrong. Everything that went wrong before — that was on me. I'll do right by you and Evelyn this time. I won't let either of you get hurt again."

"No." I didn't hesitate. "Asher, it's over between us. I'm marrying Zane."