Chapter 18
After the wedding came our honeymoon.
But most of the time, we stayed in the room.
Though Asher couldn’t walk, he’s more intense than most men in bed. He barely let me rest the entire trip.
Married life turned out even better than I’d imagined.
Asher held a powerful position in the Thorne family. With him backing me, everyone treated me with respect.
Even his parents never gave me any trouble.
His father Robin Thorne was semi–retired now, spending most of the year traveling the world with his wife Mabel.
When they did return to Los Angeles, they stayed in their own residence rather than with us.
In my first two months of marriage, I only met my in–laws twice.
Robin was an imposing middle–aged man of few words. Most of my conversations were with Mabel.
She’s warm and chatty and our conversations never hit awkward silences.
I could tell she genuinely alike me–not just to please Asher.
My siblings could visit during their school breaks, all arranged by Asher. Dave didn’t dare interfere anymore.
Designer clothes and jewelry kept arriving at the house, free for me to choose.
Like any regular woman, I enjoyed beautiful clothes and accessories.
With Asher’s encouragement, I picked up my paintbrushes again and returned to art.
When Natalie visited, she was amazed at how well I looked.
We went shopping and had afternoon tea while she filled me in on all the New York gossip.
My marriage to Asher had caused quite the scandal.
“Everyone thought you’d keep chasing Lawrence forever. Then boom–you go and marry someone else!”
“And not just anyone–Asher Thorne! The unofficial king of LA’s elite! Lawrence isn’t even in the same league.”
Even with Asher’s disability, the Thornes were far beyond what most families could aspire to.
Natalie looked smug. “They were all completely dumbfounded. Some people even predicted you’d be miserable in your marriage.”
- 59%
20.700
20:11 Fri, 16 May A.
59%1
“They said Asher must be twisted because of his disability–that you probably get beaten every day. If they could see how fantastic your life is, they’d be sick with jealousy.”
After Lawrence was forcibly taken home, the first thing he did was break up with Viola.
She refused to accept it and caused two major scenes.
In response, Lawrence took back all the jewelry, cars, and apartment he’d given her and froze her accounts.
Unable to show her face in New York anymore, Viola had to leave overnight.
Lawrence also fired his assistant Corey.
Natalie noticed I wasn’t interested in any of it and changed the subject.
“Kristin, you look amazing. Guess Asher’s been treating you very well, huh?”
I smiled at the thought of Asher and was about to respond when I heard someone call my name.
To my shock, it was Lawrence.
He’d tracked us to Los Angeles, probably by following Natalie’s Instagram.
I immediately signaled for security to intercept him.
Lawrence looked thinner, his handsome face now drawn and tired.
The bodyguards blocked Lawrence, but Lawrence persisted. “Kristin, I just want to talk to you for a minute.”
“There’s nothing to say,” I replied, standing up and signaling Natalie that we were leaving.
“Kristin, I know you only married Asher to get back at me,” he called desperately. “I saw what you sent me. Including that blank wish card.”
“The card I gave you is still valid, no matter how much time has passed. Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you.”
He pulled the card from his pocket, trying to hand it to me.
“Kristin, I promise–just divorce Asher and I’ll marry you immediately. I know you still have feelings for me. We’ve been through so much together…”
“Asher Thorne isn’t right for you. He’s violent. You’ll suffer with him.”
I couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief. “Lawrence, what delusion makes you think I married Asher to spite you?”
“You never even met Asher before. He’s crippled. You couldn’t possibly have married him willingly-”
“LAWRENCE!” My face instantly hardened. “Say one more word about my husband and see what happens.”
Yes, Asher had a disability. But he was a hundred times the man Lawrence would ever be.
I glanced at the bodyguards. “Get him out of here. And make sure I never see him in Los Angeles again.”
20:11 Fri, 16 May A
I grabbed Natalie’s arm and walked away.
Lawrence seemed shocked by my firm rejection. He stood there dumbfounded. “Kristin, are you still angry with me?”
I didn’t waste another word on him and strode away.
59%
Lawrence Castro- the golden boy who’d always gotten everything he wanted had probably never been rejected by a woman
before.
His persistent pursuit was nothing but unable to accept losing something he once possessed.
I wouldn’t waste another second of my life on someone like him.
