All That She Needs: The Betrayal of a Marriage

Part 43 Asha

My entire body was sore, but I was content. Happy and content.

We had sex three times in the last four hours, and we stayed in bed until my stomach growled, making Liam laugh. He got up and headed to the kitchen to cook. I followed, wearing the white shirt he wore before—just because it smelled like him—and my panties, while he wore nothing but his boxers, a kitchen towel slung over his shoulder.

And I just sat there, admiring the view.

He cooked a simple meal—mac and cheese—but, as always, it tasted incredible. We sat close, sharing from the same plate, and it was casual and unhurried, the kind of moment that felt effortlessly intimate. The kitchen was quiet except for the soft clink of the fork and the occasional playful banter. It wasn't a grand moment, but it felt like ours—a little bubble of peace and joy, uninterrupted.

I asked him again why he was losing so much weight. He told me his appetite hadn't been the same lately and that he was struggling to eat properly. He didn't say it was because of me, but I couldn't shake the certainty that it was.

It never ceased to amaze me how he could be so patient with me and still love me as strongly as he did.

I could see myself with him forever. It was easy to imagine. I couldn't understand why I wasn't afraid to start a new journey with him when I should have been terrified. I had been with Aiden for twenty years, married for eighteen, and had never been with anyone else. It ended with a broken heart. That experience had scarred me deeply, leaving me thinking there was no room for anyone else. Yet somehow, Liam had slipped through the countless cracks and started putting me back together, making me whole again.

Was it too soon to start a new journey with a new man? Probably.

But could I deny the chance to be with someone who loved me so deeply, who saw me as his entire world and would do anything for me, who treated me like a queen, and who I loved so dearly in return? Denying that opportunity for happiness?

Of course not. Like Dennis said, take it with both hands and be happy .

Even if Liam and I didn't end up being forever, I knew I'd be okay. I was ready to face whatever lay ahead. It was just another part of my journey—a risk I was willing to take in the pursuit of happiness. I would be more devastated if I let it slip through my fingers simply because I was afraid.

My past with Aiden wouldn't hold me back from finding joy again. If anything, it had made me stronger. Walking away from something that had been a part of my life for decades had taught me so much about myself—about my strength and my worth. I'd let go because I knew I deserved better.

But deep down, I knew that Liam and I had our fate written in the stars—that we were meant to be together. He wouldn't let me go, just as much as I wouldn't let him go. And neither of us would do anything to risk what we had.

I glanced at him and found him already watching me. He smiled, and as always, my eyes instinctively dropped to his dimple. Without a word, he pulled the highchair I was sitting on closer, draped my legs over his thighs, and leaned in to pull me against him. His cheek pressed gently to my shoulder, his nose pressing against my neck, his arms wrapping around my waist.

We stayed like that for a long moment, eyes closed, breathing in sync, our minds filled with nothing but contentment. It felt like heaven.

Leaving his apartment wasn't easy for either of us. I clung to him by the elevator, letting the doors open and close a few times while he kissed me again—and then again. Only after we promised to meet at his office the next morning did I finally step inside. I had to be home in time for dinner with my kids.

I got home just half an hour before Kayden and Chloe were supposed to arrive from school, and as soon as I arrived, my phone rang.

It was my mother.

I stared at my phone for a long moment until the call died down by itself. Then it rang again.

Determined that nothing would ruin my good day, I decided to ignore it.

Aiden called six times. I counted, but I didn't know how many texts he had sent. I ignored them all.

After that, my day was filled with the familiar comfort of helping Sandy prepare dinner and then sitting down with Kayden and Chloe to eat. I happily listened as my daughter chattered endlessly about her art class, carefully avoiding Kayden's pointed gaze—his silent plea for me to finally tell her that she had absolutely no talent for painting.

I was sitting on my bed with my laptop on my lap, wanting to finish the handover report for my replacement, when my phone rang. I was going to ignore it again, thinking that it was my mom or Aiden, but instead, it was Roy. I put it on the speaker.

"Yes, Roy," I spoke as I typed.

"Asha, I'm at Aiden's apartment now," he said quietly, as if he didn't want Aiden to overhear. "Is someone coming to stay with him? I have to go—I've got my night class, remember?"

"Didn't he arrange for anyone to help him?" I asked with furrowed brows. Did he expect me to do that for him?

"Can you help, please? He's alone, and he can't even walk," Roy said, his voice tinged with frustration. "I don't know who else to call."

"Roy, Aiden is one of the richest men in the country. Surely, he can afford to pay someone to help him?"

"Apparently, he didn't arrange anything. I've asked Sean, and he said Aiden didn't ask him to do anything either. Sean didn't even know he was being discharged today." Roy let out a heavy sigh. "I feel sorry for him, Asha. He looked so lost and confused, coming home to a temporary apartment all by himself. All that money didn't do a damn thing for him."

"He hasn't changed at all," I muttered, shaking my head. "He still assumes I'll step in and fix everything, like always. But he's not my responsibility anymore, Roy. If I go there, it'll just send the wrong message."

"Maybe he's struggling more than he's letting on." Roy sounded concerned. "You know how he is—too proud to ask for help but not strong enough to manage on his own."

"That's not my responsibility anymore," I said firmly. "He needs to learn to stand on his own two feet."

"Asha, but he's injured."

I was about to speak again when a knock on the door interrupted me, and Kayden's head peeked inside. "Mom?"

"Roy, call Sean or Brody to help, okay? I have to go." I turned to Kayden. "What is it, sweetheart?"

Kayden stepped into the room and sat at the edge of the bed. "Should I go there, Mom?" he asked softly. He must have overheard my conversation with Roy. "I can go with Brody. He's still in the kitchen downstairs eating dinner. Dad really is alone... and injured."

I looked at him, my heart swelling with pride at the kindness he showed toward his father despite everything. "If you want to, Kayden. But don't do it out of guilt. None of this is your fault, you hear me? It's not. And remember, you have school tomorrow."

He nodded but still seemed unsure. For a long moment, he sat in thought before lifting his eyes to me. "Call him, Mom. I want to talk to him."

I stared at him for a minute. "Okay." Then I dialed Aiden's number.

At the first ring, he picked it up. "Asha, thank God. I've been trying to call you. Can you come over here to help me, please? Or maybe I could stay there until I'm better?"

Kayden and I sighed in exasperation at the same time. "No, Aiden, you can't. You need to figure out how to manage on your own. We're not together anymore, and you can't expect me to keep taking care of you."

"I'll come and help you, Dad," Kayden spoke up, clearly having made up his mind. "I'll go with Brody right now, and I'll go to school from there. But it's only for tonight, Dad. You need to make some arrangements for yourself starting tomorrow."

"And Aiden," I added, making sure he understood. "Kayden's going to help you because he's kind, and he loves you, even though you don't deserve it. But that doesn't change the fact that you're never coming back to live in this house again. It's a sad situation, Aiden, but it is what it is. You should be grateful for a son like him. Kayden is a much better person than you are, and he didn't take after you."

*** *** ***

Days passed quickly, and everything in my life fell into place. My relationship with Liam continued to grow, almost like a dream. My kids were happy, and I hoped their father's absence hadn't negatively impacted them. If it had, I hoped it would only make them stronger, more resilient. I made sure they knew that no matter what, I would always be by their side. I was so proud of them that I often found myself wondering what I had done to deserve such wonderful children.

My dream of owning a plant nursery finally became a reality. After eighteen months of planning, building, and countless works and decisions, I was able to open its doors. What began as a simple idea had grown into something much larger. Along with the nursery, I had created a beautiful garden for the public to explore, with trails winding through vibrant flowers and lush greenery.

In addition, there was a space dedicated to workshops, where people could learn everything from plant care to home décor tips. A charming home décor shop, a specialty store focused on indoor plants, and two cozy cafes. And, in just a few months, we were set to open a restaurant.

Chloe was the one who came up with the name: Bloom I could hear it from here." Liam mumbled sleepily from behind me, pulling me closer to him.

I chuckled, "Just reminiscing about how my life got to where I am right now."

His lips pressed onto the back of my neck, "are you happy, Asha?"

"Yes, very happy," I answered almost immediately, without hesitation.

He paused, then turned me to face him, his hand gently resting on my cheek. His blue eyes locked onto mine, full of expectation. "Do I make you happy?" he asked, his voice quieter than usual.

Smiling, I leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. "Yes. I'm the happiest I've ever been."

"Truly?" His dimple deepening. He asked me this almost every day, as though he needed to hear it, to be certain that I had everything I needed.

"Yeah," I kissed him again. "Truly." Every time I gave him that answer, his face would light up, and I couldn't help but feel like the luckiest woman in the world.

"I cannot wait for Spring to come," he said with a sigh. "Why the hell did we choose a date so far away?"

"It's the best time for the flowers to bloom," I replied with a smile. "And it's only a month away!"

"It's still too damn far," he grumbled.

Then, he gently took my hand, his fingers brushing over the engagement ring he had placed there. I couldn't help but admire it again. It was a beautiful 2.2-carat Blue Green Diamond Pear Cut, the exact shade he said matched the colors of both our eyes.

I snuggled in closer, resting my head on his chest, under his chin, feeling safe and content in his embrace. In that moment, I knew I had everything I needed. And that feeling—so simple, yet so perfect—was beautiful.