"Enough, Lily!" he shouted, his disappointment cutting deeper than his words. "All I am asking is for you to delete the posts and apologize to Nora. You can't even do this little thing, right? Ah, I remember you used to be sensible and unreasonable."
My chest tightened, my eyes stinging. "I am asking for justice for myself. How is that unreasonable?"
Asher opened his mouth as if to retort, but his phone buzzed before he could say a word. My gaze flicked to the screen, where Nora’s name glared back at me.
"What's wrong?" Asher asked, his tone softening into something gentle and caring—a tone he hadn’t used with me in years.
That was the breaking point. I turned and walked past him, my expression blank.
"Wait, I will go with you to get your test results," he called after me, grabbing my wrist.
But then Nora’s saccharine voice came through the phone, loud enough for me to hear, "Asher, there are paparazzi outside my house and I am so scared. Can you come over?"
Asher dropped my hand as it burned him. "Don’t worry, I am coming," he reassured her before rushing out.
I stood frozen, staring after him as tears blurred my vision. For the first time, I didn’t chase him. I didn’t beg him to stay. Instead, I bit back my pain and went to my appointment alone.
Some people aren’t worth holding onto.
***
It takes a hundred days to recover from an injury and after the doctor was aware I was an actress, he gave me a strict warning. Urged me to rest appropriately and avoid stress. Staying in a good mood would help me heal faster.
But Asher seemed determined to test my limits. The next day, he showed up at my apartment, dragging me toward his car by the arm.
"Earlier today, I logged into your Instagram account and deleted those photos. I also issued an apology on your behalf," he said coldly.
He didn’t stop. Instead, “But Nora said she wants you to apologize in person before this matter is considered over. So, hurry up, go with me to the set and apologize to her.”
I yanked my arm free, staring at him in disbelief. "How dare you make decisions for me without my consent?"
Climbing onto Instagram, I saw the statement apologizing on the top post.