The Sterling Betrayal Chapter 2

The “typing…” bubble appeared and disappeared for minutes. No message came.

It wasn’t until Asher was pulling into his office garage that she finally replied.

Seraphina: Darling, you and Julian were classmates, roommates. You didn’t even go to his wedding. Now you’re going to skip his 30th birthday? He’ll be offended. And you can’t expect me to go alone, can you? Elara will be there. You haven’t seen her in years. It would be too awkward if you didn’t come.

Just hearing her name made it hard to breathe. He didn’t want to go, but Seraphina’s relentless texts wore him down. He finally sent back a single word: Fine.

S Hotel was in a trendy downtown district. He was late due to rush hour traffic. As he reached for the door to the private room, he heard Seraphina’s voice. “Julian, getting married without even telling us? That’s not very friendly.”

A chorus of laughter followed. Asher paused. Through the crack in the door, he heard Julian’s lazy reply.

“I wasn’t marrying you. Why would you need to know?”

Julian was leaning back in his chair, his shirt unbuttoned at the collar, radiating a roguish charm that defied his tailored suit.

Asher’s hand, clutching the gift bag, trembled. His gaze fell on Elara. She stood beside Julian, wrapped in a trench coat, looking as elegant and serene as a pale blossom. She offered everyone a polite, gentle smile.

A wave of painful memories washed over him. In the last life, she had used that same gentle smile to deliver the cruelest words.

He pushed the door open. “Gentlemen, it’s been too long. Julian, you’re as charming as ever.”

Julian’s cool eyes widened for a fraction of a second before returning to normal. He jumped up, a wide smile on his face, and shook Asher’s hand.

The atmosphere was thick with tension. Seraphina broke the silence, linking her arm through Asher’s. “Darling, what took you so long?” Her voice was a sweet, drawn-out purr.

Asher laughed softly, raising her hand to his lips for a kiss, his eyes full of adoration. “Traffic was a nightmare. Did I delay you from giving your gift?” He handed her the black bag. Her smile faltered, but she recovered quickly.

Waitstaff arrived with the first course, and the group gratefully returned to their seats. Asher gently removed his arm from Seraphina’s and took a seat across the large table. She followed, her smile never wavering.

Later, Seraphina raised her glass to Julian. “To Julian. Happy birthday. A toast?”

“Of course. After you, beautiful.”

As she poured, her hand trembled, and wine sloshed over the rim, spilling onto Asher’s suit. He reached out, his cold fingers closing around her wrist. He stood. “Let’s toast the birthday boy together, shall we?”

Seraphina smiled and grabbed a new bottle from the table, walking towards Julian. As she poured, she stumbled, and the wine splashed onto a decorative candle on the lazy Susan. The glass holder exploded with a loud pop.

“Look out!” Seraphina screamed, instinctively grabbing Julian’s wrist and pulling him back.

Shards of glass flew through the air. Asher threw his arm up, shielding Elara’s face. A large piece sliced deep into his forearm.

Someone doused the small flame with water.

“Are you okay?” Elara asked. It was the first time she had spoken all night.

Blood snaked down Asher’s arm, staining the red string bracelet he always wore, before dripping onto the floor. He stared at it for a moment before lowering his arm.

Seraphina rushed over. “Darling, are you alright? It’s all my fault. Let’s go to the hospital.”

Asher’s eyes were dark with a self-mocking pain. A person’s first instinct never lies.

“I’m fine,” he said, his voice barely a whisper. A deep, cold sorrow enveloped him. He felt like he was submerged in ice water, shivering uncontrollably.

He turned and walked out of the room. A second later, the door was thrown open again.

“Darling, let me take you to the hospital! Julian was just closer, and I was holding the bottle! I never would have let you get hurt!”

Asher looked at her and laughed, a hollow, empty sound. “Is that so? Don’t bother explaining. Seraphina, let’s get a divorce.”