Chapter 183 Nothing wrong with marrying wrong

Chapter 183 Nothing wrong with marrying wrong
Love already knew what was waiting for her the second everything settled down. Work, endless damn work. Meetings stacked on meetings, responsibilities that never quit, and more of it than she ever wanted to think about right now.
All she wanted was a little peace while her legs healed. After everything she’d been through, she just needed a chance to breathe before she threw herself back into that busy life again.
She leaned against the pillows and smiled soft. “Don’t worry about me, Dad. Wherever Asher is, that’s where I want to be.”
On the other end of the call, Leonard let out a slow breath that carried real worry. “About that…” His voice held that edge of concern he couldn’t quite hide. “Asher seems upset.”
Love lowered her eyes. She couldn’t even pretend otherwise because she knew it was true. After everything she’d put him through, he had every right to feel hurt.
“I know, Dad.” A guilty little smile tugged at her lips. “But I’ll make it up to him. I know he still loves me.”
Leonard stayed quiet a second before asking the question that had been eating at him.
“What if he’s only staying because he respects your mother and me?”
Love smiled to herself. She would’ve believed that a few days ago, not anymore.
Not after everything Asher had poured out the night before, not after the way he’d kissed her. 
Not after the way he looked at her when he thought she wasn’t paying attention.
She’d finally stopped doubting what he felt for her. “No, Dad.” Her voice came out firm, full of quiet confidence. “Asher still loves me, and I love him too.”
A warm smile spread across Leonard’s face. “That makes me happy to hear.” His tone lightened right up. “I’d rather see you marry Asher than Danny any day of the week.”
Love let out a quiet laugh that still held a little bitterness underneath.
“I was blind before, but now I know what’s good for me.”
At the end of the line, Asher stood silent with his phone still connected to Leonard’s call. Every single word Love spoke reached his ears.
A smile slowly pulled at his mouth. The heavy weight he’d been dragging around for so long finally started to lift.
After he’d finished his meeting earlier, he’d gone to see Leonard, Lucinda, and Lord before they left. He’d promised them he’d take care of everything with Love, but Leonard hadn’t looked convinced. Instead, the older man had warned him not to get his hopes too high.
Rather than argue, they’d come up with a simple plan. Leonard would call Love like it was nothing, and Asher would quietly listen to whatever she said.
Now, hearing her admit she loved him without anybody pushing her, it felt like somebody had finally given him room to breathe again.
The peace he’d been hunting for settled deep in his chest. The call wound down.
“Alright then,” Leonard answered warm. “Call me if you need anything.”
After hanging up, he slipped his phone into his pocket and turned toward Asher, his expression softened into straight approval.
“You were right.” A grateful smile crossed his face. “Thank you for being patient with her.”
Asher smiled back. “She deserves it, Uncle Leo.”
He rubbed the back of his neck, looking a little nervous all of a sudden. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask.”
Leonard raised an eyebrow, giving him the go-ahead. “Do you think we’re too young to get married?”
The older man looked at him like the question had caught him off guard. A slight frown tugged at his mouth.
“You’re both adults.” He shrugged easy. “Neither of you has money problems, and you’re both mature enough to make your own calls. I don’t see a single thing wrong with getting married young.”
Asher nodded but still looked thoughtful. “I’ve just been thinking about Love.”
Leonard waited, patient. “She still has so much on her plate,” Asher sighed. “She’s already running several businesses, so I don’t want marriage turning into one more weight she has to carry.”
Leonard chuckled softly. “You’re worrying too much.”
He folded his arms comfortably and kept going. “Your aunt handled work all the way through her pregnancy and never once complained. Love’s always been strong, and if the two of you start having kids someday, you’ll have more help than most couples could ever dream of.”
A proud smile spread across his face. “You’ve got family everywhere. Your parents, us, and plenty of people who care about both of you. If you need it, there are professionals you can hire too. Love won’t be carrying everything alone.”
Asher listened carefully, the last bit of worry inside him slowly faded. What Asher didn’t know was that Leonard had another reason for pushing the marriage.
One of his closest friends had already become a great-grandfather before he even hit fifty. Every time they got together, the man couldn’t stop showing off pictures of his growing family.
Leonard would smile along, but deep down he felt a little jealous. He wanted that kind of happiness too, and he wanted to live long enough to watch generation after generation of his family grow. He wanted to hold his grandchildren, and maybe even his great-grandchildren someday.
Looking at Asher now, he couldn’t help hoping that day wasn’t too far off. Asher smiled gratefully. “Thank you, Uncle Leo. I really appreciate your support.”
His eyes shone with determination. “As soon as this mess is over, we’re setting a date for the wedding.”
Leonard’s face lit up with pure happiness. “You’re so much like your father.”
The words made Asher smile even wider. After saying goodbye, he headed back to the hotel.
On the way he stopped and bought a big bouquet filled with Love’s favorite flowers. He pictured the smile on her face when she saw them.
Holding the bouquet carefully, he stepped into the hotel. The second his eyes landed on what was waiting in front of him, every bit of color drained from his face.
Cold sweat broke out across his forehead.