Break Him Completely Chapter 2

After what felt like a long, deep sleep, I slowly became aware of a voice nearby. I forced my heavy eyelids open and saw Ashton, bare-chested, talking on the phone out on the balcony.

He was usually a man of few words, his tone clipped and cool. But now, his voice was honeyed with a tenderness I’d never heard.

"Okay, I'll come see you in a little bit. You be a good girl for me, alright? Yes, that's my good girl..."

That gentle tone...

I stared at his back, a familiar ache blooming in my chest. My mind felt fuzzy, and his name slipped from my lips before I could stop it.

"L... Liam..."

Hearing me, the figure on the balcony turned. In the soft light, I saw him clearly.

It wasn't Liam. It was Ashton.

Of course, it wasn't Liam. Liam died a long time ago. How could I forget again?

Ashton glanced at me once before turning back to his call.

Ignoring the soreness in my body, I slid out of bed and went into the bathroom. Ashton was never one for restraint in these matters, and every time, I felt like I'd been run over by a truck.

He was still on the phone. After my shower, I went into the walk-in closet. By the time I was dressed and had put on some makeup, Ashton had finished getting ready too.

I quickly tied my hair back and went downstairs to my studio to retrieve the commissioned painting I finished yesterday.

Ashton usually left for work early, but today, he was still by the door, on another call. This one was about business. Carrying the large canvas, I tried to tiptoe past him, not wanting to disturb him.

But just as I passed, he ended the call. His gaze landed on me with unnerving precision. "Going out?" he asked, his tone flat.

I paused, then nodded. "Mhm."

He looked away, adjusting his tie. "Where to?"

I gestured with the painting in my hands. "Delivering a commission."

He fiddled with his phone. "Is it far?"

"A little, I guess."

Another long silence stretched between us.

He spoke again. "How far is 'a little'?"

I blinked, unsure how to explain. I decided to change the subject. "Aren't you leaving yet? You'll be late for work."

His lips pressed into a thin line. He fell silent again.

I watched the icon for my ride-share creep closer on my phone's map. I looked up, about to say goodbye.

But he spoke at the exact same moment.

"How are you getting there? Do you need..."

"My ride is here, I've got to go..."

Our words collided in the air. He froze for a second, his expression instantly souring.

I scratched my head. "What were you saying? Do I need what?"

He ignored me, turning on his heel and getting into his own car. He slammed the door shut and sped away.

He seemed angry.

I shook my head, hugged the canvas tighter, and hurried into my waiting car.

The client picking up the painting was a student from a nearby university. The young man was thrilled with my work, praising it effusively before ordering a mountain of desserts. "Vivian, you're so young, I can't believe you're this talented! Could you teach me? I'll pay for lessons!"

I took a sip of my coffee and pushed the plate of sweets a little farther away. "I've been painting for many years."

The boy propped his chin on his hand, his eyes wide. "How many is 'many'?"

I was about to answer when I felt a tug on my skirt. I looked down to see a little girl with adorable pigtails staring up at me.

When she saw I was looking, she stood on her tiptoes, grabbed my hand, and her voice trembled as she said, "Mommy, Mommy, are you leaving me and Daddy?"

I froze. My eyes instinctively shot up, and I caught a fleeting glimpse of a familiar figure in a suit disappearing around the corner.

Across the table, the student sputtered, spraying coffee everywhere. "V-Vivian, you're married?"

I managed a small smile and a nod. "Mhm."

He looked down, crestfallen. "Oh. You'd never know. You look so young..."

The little girl was still tugging at my hand. "Mommy, let's go home. Daddy misses you so much he's been crying. He cried a lot."

I stood up, said my goodbyes to the student, and led the little girl outside. "Sweetie," I asked, "who told you to do that?"

She looked up at me. "A handsome man. He gave me five hundred dollars and told me to call you Mommy really loud in front of that other guy. He said he'd give me more if I was loud enough."

I knelt and patted her head. "You did a great job. Go on and play now."

She skipped away happily.

I pulled out my phone and texted Ashton: 【Was that you?】

He replied instantly: 【I have no idea what you're talking about.】