Chapter 324
Was he missing his own family?
But then… how could you miss something you didn’t even remember?
“I don’t have any family,” she finally said. “Well–technically, I do. My mother. But she moved to Australia with her new husband, and, well… let’s just say
she hasn’t been too invested in my life since then.”
That was the polite way of saying they didn’t talk anymore. That her mother didn’t care. That Andrea had long since stopped expecting her to.
Asher turned to look at her then, something unreadable in his expression.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured.
She blinked at him, caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice. And then she saw it–that look in his eyes. The one she had started to recognize. That distant, thoughtful glimmer, like he was putting pieces together in his mind but wasn’t quite sure what the picture was supposed to be.
Only this time, his gaze wasn’t just distant–it was focused. On her. Or, more specifically, on her baby bump.
Andrea tensed slightly, already knowing what was coming next.
“And the baby’s father?” Asher asked, voice careful. “Is he no longer in your life?”
There was something tight in his tone, something oddly personal, like her answer mattered to him in a way it shouldn’t.
Andrea hesitated. Then nodded.
“No. He and I broke up. And I’ve decided to raise this baby alone.”
She expected pity. Expected the usual oh, that must be hard or I’m sorry you have to go through this alone.
But Asher said nothing.
Instead, something shifted in his expression–something lighter, almost… relieved?
And then, before she could even process it, he was moving. Taking the bucket away, drying her feet with a towel, the tension from earlier completely erased as he whistled under his breath, suddenly happy as a clam.
Afternoon faded into evening, and Andrea drifted into a dreamless sleep. When she finally stirred, blinking groggily at the dimly lit room, she realized two things.
One: The sun had set while she had been asleep.
Two: Asher was waiting for her with a mug of hot chocolate–topped with marshmallows, whipped cream, and even a candy cane looked over the tim
And then there was him.
Smiling at her like he had just found the most wonderful secret, his warmth cutting through the winter cold.
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Chapter 324
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Andrea sat up slowly, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “Hot chocolate?” she asked, surprised. Because she knew she hadn’t bought any.
Asher must have seen the confusion on her face because he quickly reassured her. “Don’t worry, I bought it.”
Andrea stared at him, raising a brow. “You bought it?”
“I got a job.” He grinned, looking oddly proud of himself. “Cleaned the snow off some lawns.”
Her lips parted slightly in surprise. “You what?”
Asher just shrugged, handing her the warm mug. “Thought we should have something special for this special night.”
Andrea took the cup carefully, warmth seeping into her hands, but the heat that truly spread through her had nothing to do with the drink.
She swallowed against the sudden tightness in her throat. “Thank you,” she said softly.
And then she took a sip.
The taste was heaven–rich, sweet, and indulgent, sending a rush of warmth all the way to her toes. She sighed, sinking deeper into the pillows. “God, I don’t even know how long it’s been since I’ve had hot chocolate.”
Asher chuckled, a nostalgic gleam in his eyes. “I know… My mother used to make it on cold nights, I-”
Then he stopped.
Just like the first night.
Andrea watched as the smile fell from his face, replaced by stunned silence. He stared at her, as if the words had tumbled out before he had a chance to stop
them.
Her heart clenched.
“You remember your mother?” she asked quietly.
For a long moment, he didn’t answer. He just sat there, staring at the steam curling from his cup, his fingers tightening around the ceramic.
Finally, he exhaled, shaking his head in frustration.
“No… Not really.” His voice was low, rough. “I can’t remember her name, or her face. Just that I had one. And she used to smell really nice… and she would
smile at me.”
The silence that followed was heavy.
Andrea felt her chest ache for him. She wanted to say something comforting, something that would make it better. But what could she say to a man who was
trying to piece himself back together with nothing but fleeting sensations and half–formed memories?
Asher gave a bitter laugh, shaking his head again. “God, what a mess I am. I can remember how she smelled, remember that she looked pretty when she
smiled… but I can’t even remember her.”
Andrea reached out then–instinctively. A small gesture. Just a light touch to his forearm, meant to ground him.
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Chapter 324
He looked up at her, and something in his gaze softened.
Like she said–Christmas Eve was bittersweet.
They lost some, and they gained some.
After dinner, Chinese Checkers became their escape once again. Only this time, they played in bed, sitting close together, their knees occasionally brushing.
Andrea was growing so sick of losing every single time that she was seriously considering flipping the board over if she lost again.
As if sensing her frustration, Asher suddenly spoke.
“Have you thought about what you’re going to name the baby?”
Andrea, too focused on the board, answered honestly. “I was going to name him Asher.” Then she glanced at him, smirking. “But you stole that name.”
It was supposed to be a joke.
But Asher didn’t laugh.
His gaze snapped to hers, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, it drifted lower–to her swollen belly.
Andrea’s smirk faded.
For a long, stretching moment, he just stared, his face oddly solemn.
Then, in a voice quiet but firm, he said something that couldn’t be taken back.
“You can still name him Asher,”
Andrea’s breath hitched.
His gaze lifted back to hers, something raw in his eyes. And then he added, softer this time-
“Asher Junior,”
unsteady.
Andrea’s hands trembled as she moved her piece across the board, her fingers suddenly unsteady.
She couldn’t look at him. Wouldn’t look at him.
Because now… now they were drifting into dangerous waters.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
