Chapter 5

Life abroad was incredibly busy. I also ran into Jasper, my senior whom I hadn’t seen in two years.

I was constantly occupied with experiments, papers, and attracting investors, until one day I met Asher and realized I’d already been here for six months.

“Asher?” Jasper and I were walking together when I saw him. I curiously looked behind him. “Why didn’t you bring Sia with you?”

“Why did you let her marry me?” Asher asked, his voice low and hoarse, as if he hadn’t slept well in a long time.

“Let bygones be bygones.” I frowned.

“Didn’t you clearly say you wanted me to marry you?” He looked at me, his eyes red–rimmed.

It then dawned on me: “You didn’t know the bride was switched?”

“How could I have known?” he said.

Only now do I realize the extent of the misunderstanding between us the last time we met. “Asher, I know you don’t want to marry me.”

“Who said that?” He grabbed my shoulders. “I never considered running from the wedding!” “Hey, easy, man…” Jasper tried to pull us apart.

“Get lost!” Asher glared fiercely at Jasper.

I raised a hand to calm Jasper, then looked at Asher. He glared at Jasper again before looking down at me. “I’ll wait for you to finish your three years of study, and when you come back, we’ll get married, okay?”

“Asher,” I said, gently pushing his hand away. “We can’t be together.”

“Why?” His breathing was uneven. “You once wanted me to marry you more than anything. I’m willing now, and I won’t change my mind.”

“It’s better this way. Some things can’t be changed.” In my past life, I spent thirty years trying everything, but our marriage was still a disaster. Some people are meant to be friends or confidants, but not lovers. Asher and I are like that.

I looked up and met his gaze. I was stunned to see his red–rimmed eyes. I’d never seen him look so hurt. “So, when you cried and begged me to marry you before, you were just toying with me?” 

“If that’s what you think, so be it.” I didn’t want to explain; it was best if he believed that, gave up completely, and returned to the person he truly loved.

“Asher, I was so foolish in the past, and I apologize to you now. Let’s not meet again in the future.” With that, I took Jasper’s arm, and he, understanding immediately, turned and led me away.

Before getting in the car, I couldn’t resist glancing back. He was still standing there, gazing at me intently. A pang of regret struck my heart, but I turned away and entered the car.

I knew‘ even if we married, we would become as resentful as we were in our previous life.

But I didn’t expect Asher to stay. The next day, I went downstairs and saw a familiar figure as soon as I reached the lobby.

Asher was sitting in a chair, the corners of his eyes slightly red.