Chapter 5

"Ash, I wasn’t going to tell you until I had all the facts, but I can’t keep this from you any longer. There’s a strong possibility that Hilda never drowned. If she did, then her body was never recovered. A DNA test was supposed to be conducted back then, but the Sampsons refused. At the time, everyone understood their grief, but now… now it all makes sense," he rushed out.

Asher's head snapped up. The shock stole the air from his lungs, and his mouth fell open. "She..." He struggled to form words. What Jalen was saying was too much to process.

"She collapsed when she heard about the accident, that part is believable. But jumping into the sea while still unconscious? That doesn’t make sense," Jalen continued. Why hadn’t she waited for Asher to wake up? Why had she been in such a hurry to end her life? Had she been threatened?

"No... that can't be," Asher muttered, shaking his head in disbelief.

Jalen studied him with pity. "Did she really take her own life because of your accident? Or was there another reason? Something we haven’t uncovered yet?"

Asher clenched his fists. "How do you know all this?"

"Even though the Sampsons refused the DNA test, I conducted one in secret," Jalen admitted. "I didn’t know how to tell them without causing more pain. And I didn’t tell you for the same reason."

Asher swallowed hard. "Then… does that mean Hilda is still lost in the sea?" His voice cracked despite his efforts to stay strong.

Jalen sighed, running a hand over his beard. Out of everything he had said, Asher had latched onto the worst possibility, the idea that Hilda’s body had never been recovered.

He looked at his friend, seeing the pain etched into his face. Asher was barely holding himself together.

"I’d like to be alone," Asher whispered, his voice almost inaudible.

Jalen hesitated. He knew his friend too well, leaving him alone now wasn’t an option. He gently wrapped his arms around Asher, hoping to calm his trembling body.

"Ash—"

"Leave me, Jalen!" Asher’s voice thundered, filled with anguish.

But Jalen didn’t move. Instead, he crouched in front of Asher, meeting his stormy gaze. He noticed Asher’s trembling hands, the way he was fighting for control.

Without a word, Jalen pulled out his phone and placed it in Asher’s palm. "Smash it, Ash. If it helps, just do it."

Asher’s hands shook even more violently. His face contorted, his breath ragged. He blinked rapidly, trying to hold back the tears burning behind his eyes.

Jalen gently lowered Asher’s hand and pulled him into a firm embrace. "Let it go," he whispered. His own heart pounded, his lips pressed together to keep his emotions in check.

Asher didn’t push him away. He didn’t yell or resist. He simply let Jalen hold him because, deep down, he needed it. His heart was breaking. His life was falling apart.

Then, he felt a wet drop. A tear.

"Let it out, Ash," Jalen murmured. "It’s just us here."

And finally, Asher did. The tears he had held back for so long broke free, falling uncontrollably. He was ruthless in business, formidable in his dealings, cold in appearance. But beneath it all, he was still human.

Jalen held him tightly until his sobs subsided and his racing heartbeat slowed.

"It’s okay," Jalen whispered. "It's okay."

Asher exhaled shakily. "It hurts so much, Jal. I feel… useless."

Jalen shook his head firmly. "The pain will fade. And you are not useless. Brighter days are ahead."

Asher let out a bitter chuckle, then glanced down. "Even this?"

Jalen's stomach twisted. He knew exactly what Asher meant. The truth was right in front of them, but accepting it was another matter. Sheila’s interview replayed in his mind. If he was this shaken just by hearing about it, how much worse was it for Asher, the one actually living through it?

"Yes, even that," Jalen said, though his voice betrayed his uncertainty.

Asher smiled grimly. "Your words sound sure, but your voice doesn’t."

"Don’t start," Jalen pleaded.

Silence settled between them. Asher stared blankly at the window, lost in thought. Minutes passed before he finally spoke again.

"Jal, I scheduled an appointment with Leonard Lewis."

Jalen’s brows knitted together. "Leonard Lewis?"

"Yes," Asher confirmed.

"Why?" Jalen’s eyes searched his face.

Instead of answering, Asher changed the subject. "The dinner you mentioned… isn't it time yet?"

Jalen narrowed his eyes but chose not to press further. "Yeah… it’s time."

Rising to his feet, he grabbed the wheelchair’s handles and pushed Asher toward the dining room. It was a late dinner, but they had no choice but to eat.

Afterward, Jalen helped Asher back to the bedroom, assisted him in showering, and stayed by his side until he finally drifted into sleep.

Only when he heard the door close did Asher open his eyes.

He sat up and immediately beeped Parker. Within seconds, Parker entered the bedroom.

"I need information on the Sampsons," Asher ordered. "Everything—before and after Hilda’s death. Up until now."

Parker frowned slightly. "The Sampsons? Why?"

"Just do it," Asher said curtly.

"Alright," Parker agreed. Then, after a pause, he asked, "Anything else?"

"That will be all. Start immediately."

Without another word, Parker left the room, his mind swirling with questions.

Asher Woods residence

That night, Aurora slept with one eye open, uneasy about being alone in such a massive house. What kind of husband would leave his wife by herself on the first night of their marriage? Had he even bothered to show up at the Civil Affairs Bureau earlier that day?

Despite the soft mattress and silky sheets, she kept tossing and turning. Sleep evaded her. Eventually, she gave up, sat up in bed, and reached for her phone. Perhaps hearing her mother's voice would ease her loneliness and lull her to sleep.

"Mom, are you awake?" she asked as soon as the call connected.

"Princess, you're still up?" Her mother’s voice trembled, followed by a fit of coughing. Aurora's heart clenched as she listened to her mother's labored breathing and quiet groans of pain.

She instantly regretted calling. She should have let her rest. "Mom, press the nurse call button," she urged.

She heard the faint beep, followed by the sound of a door opening. Assured that a nurse had arrived, she quickly ended the call. It wasn’t until early morning that exhaustion finally took over, and she drifted into sleep.

Hours Later

Sunlight streamed through the windows, its rays warming her face. Groggily, she turned over, attempting to shield herself from the brightness. As she stretched, something felt off. Wasn't she supposed to be on the hard floor? Since when had it become this soft?

Slowly, she opened her eyes, yawning lazily as she stretched again. Her gaze landed on the ceiling, and she jolted upright upon seeing the chandelier hanging above.

Where was she?

Her eyes darted around the room, scanning the LED screen, the massive bed, and the elegant furniture. Realization hit her, and she let out a quiet sigh.

"I'm married," she murmured to herself, rubbing her face before slipping out of bed.

Sliding into a pair of flip-flops, she adjusted her sleepwear and glanced around once more. After scratching her jaw and stretching, she headed to the bathroom.