Chapter 92

When Thalia awoke, it was already one in the afternoon. The other side of the bed was empty; Asher had already risen. Thalia rubbed her eyes sleepily, lifted the duvet, and prepared to freshen herself. Last night, upon returning to the bedroom, he'd said he would only hold her as they slept; yet, their embrace had evolved into something far more passionate.

Thalia stepped into the living room to find Asher sitting on the sofa, one leg crossed over the other, a laptop balanced on his knee. When engrossed in work, he possessed an utterly captivating charm. The snow had stopped, and gentle winter sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over him, softening his usually sharp features. The apartment was warm; Asher wore only a black shirt, meticulously buttoned to the collar. He gazed at his laptop screen with complete concentration, his face expressionless, his long, elegant fingers dancing rapidly across the keyboard. He was the very picture of restraint and discipline.

Only Thalia knew those same hands had, hours before, unbuttoned her clothing, drawing her into wave after wave of passion. Only she knew how wild Asher could be beneath that composed exterior. Seeing him so focused on his work, the contrast with last night was striking. Thalia found herself mesmerized.

Asher sensed her gaze and looked up. His stern features softened, his expression warming with a tender smile. "Lia, you're awake?"

Thalia murmured, "Mmm," and sat beside him, tucking her legs beneath her and peeking at his laptop screen.

Asher spoke gently, "Grandfather has asked me to formally take over the company. I'll be rather busy for a while."

Thalia was surprised. She'd thought Andrew Blackwood was in charge of the Blackwood Group. It involved internal family matters, however, so she hadn't inquired.

To her surprise, Asher volunteered more information. "The situation with Vanessa is connected to my father's illegitimate son." He continued looking at his screen, his face betraying no emotion, as if discussing something commonplace.

Thalia's eyes widened. "What illegitimate son?"

A slight shift in Asher's tone, a pause in his typing, and a hint of reluctance and sadness reflected in his eyes—emotions Thalia had never seen before.

Asher's voice was quiet. "More than twenty years ago, while my mother was pregnant, my father had an affair. When my mother was in confinement after giving birth to me, the other woman approached my father with hospital pregnancy test results, attempting to use the child to secure a position in the family. When my mother learned of this, she suffered an emotional breakdown, developed postpartum depression, and nearly committed suicide by jumping from a building."

"My grandparents pressured my father to terminate the pregnancy, but he genuinely cared for this woman and couldn't bear to abort their child. He outwardly agreed to end the pregnancy but secretly sent the woman abroad, concealing this from my grandparents."

Thalia was too shocked to speak. She had never heard of this scandal; they must have suppressed it thoroughly.

Asher continued, "In truth, my father probably loved this other woman, but they could never be together. My grandmother despised women who destroyed families, and my grandfather, a man of principle, refused to allow such a woman into our home. Initially, everyone was deceived, believing the pregnancy had been terminated. When I was about five or six, my mother discovered the truth and they nearly divorced, alarming both families. Their marriage was a significant alliance between the Lawson and Blackwood families."

"The divorce didn't proceed. Under pressure, my father cut contact with the woman, but my mother was left scarred. During my childhood, they frequently argued about this woman and her son. Later, I heard the woman had died. My father wanted to acknowledge his illegitimate son, but my grandparents remained opposed. Eventually, the matter was dropped, and after a period of despondency, my father returned to family life."

Thalia remained speechless.

She could never have imagined that Andrew Blackwood, who appeared so refined and courteous, was an utterly irresponsible husband who casually philandered. Thinking of Janet Blackwood nearly committing suicide, Thalia felt sympathy and fear. If Janet had died, Asher would have grown up motherless. Had the illegitimate child entered the household, Asher's life would have been miserable. Thank goodness such a tragedy had been averted.

Noting Thalia's silence, Asher shifted his gaze from the laptop screen. In his eyes lurked a barely perceptible plea. "Lia, do you think my family is dreadfully dysfunctional? I assure you, I'm nothing like my father. From a young age, I promised myself I would love only one person—with absolute fidelity and devotion."

There was humility in his demeanor, as if he feared Thalia might reject him. Thalia's heart swelled with complex emotions, bitter and sweet, her eyes growing moist. The bitterness stemmed from empathy for his childhood; the sweetness from knowing how much he cared for her.

Thalia sniffled and embraced him. Her eyes glistened, her voice slightly choked, "Asher, I know. I understand completely." She knew he wasn't like his father; she'd never doubted his sincerity.

Asher returned her embrace, closing his eyes and inhaling her scent, feeling reassured. Thalia's voice was soft and soothing, calming his unease. "Asher, as long as you don't leave me first, I'll never let you go."

These words resonated deep within Asher's heart, bringing him to the verge of tears. His Thalia was so wonderful—how could he ever bear to leave her first?

Chapter 93