Chapter 196 " Asher . " Thalia''s voice was no match for the thundering rain , her words instantly washed away . Yet somehow , he heard her . He turned , his gaze finding hers across the torrent . She stood in the shelter of the covered walkway ; he remained exposed , rain cascading over him. The downpour obscured his features , turning him into a dark silhouette . Thalia popped open her umbre and took a step forward . The movement seemed to jar Asher from his trance .
He strode toward her with sudden purpose . With his height and long stride , he reached her in seconds , before she''d barely left the shelter . " Your wound hasn''t fully healed , " he said , voice gravelly from disuse . " You shouldn''t get wet . " He gently caught her free hand , guiding her back to safety . His fingers felt like ice against her skin . She couldn''t help but shiver at the contact . Asher noticed immediately and released her . " It''s freezing out here .
You should get back inside . " Something caught in Thalia''s throat . Even drenched and grieving , his first thought was still her wellbeing . The realization stirred somethingplicated within her chest . A single , dim bulb cast weak light along the covered walkway . Thalia closed her umbre , propping it against a pir . " You … " she hesitated , " you shouldn''t be standing out in this weather . " " Yeah , I know , " Asher replied , his eyes never leaving her face .
Despite the overwhelming grief in his gaze , there was still that familiar warmth when he looked at her . The rain hammered against the ground , filling the silence between them . 09:48 Your Gold Digger is Actually A True Heiress 99.5 % They stood facing each other , words momentarily failing them both . Finally , Thalia spoke : " I''m so sorry about your father and grandmother , Asher . " Something shifted in his expression . He stepped forward , arms beginning to rise toward her .
Then , noticing the water dripping from his clothes , he stopped himself , hands suspended awkwardly in mid - air . The aborted gesture made Thalia''s heart ache . This was so typically him - considerate even in the smallest details . Impossible to ignore . Asher lowered his hands , clearing his throat . " I''m holding up okay . " Still so stubborn . Just like in her dream . Thalia looked up , meeting his eyes with gentle challenge .
" If you''re '' okay , '' why are you standing in a thunderstorm at 2 AM ? " Something in his eyes began to thaw . He opened his mouth to respond , but before he could- His expression shifted to surprise . Thalia had stepped forward , wrapping her arms carefully around his waist . The familiar scent of her - subtle perfume mixed with hospital soap - surrounded him . Asher wentpletely still . " Asher , " she murmured against his chest , tightening her arms slightly .
" Would a hug make it hurt less ? " His eyes darkened as warmth spread through his chilled body . The heat from her embrace prated his soaked clothes , like standing before a fire after being out in the cold . Slowly , carefully , Asher''s arms encircled her , mindful of her still - healing wound , treating her like something infinitely precious . " I''ve never been good at thisfort thing , " Thalia admitted quietly .
" I know grief doesn''t just disappear , but please stop punishing yourself like this . " ?? ? 99.7 % Chapter 196 Who said she wasn''t good at offeringfort ? One honest embrace spoke volumes . Asher felt something frozen within him begin to melt . After a moment that seemed both eternal and too brief , Thalia stepped back . " That''s enough now . " She kept her eyes down , suddenly self - conscious . " Go home and get into some dry clothes , okay ?
" " I will , " Asher promised , his voice gentler than she''d heard in months . " And eat something . Get some sleep . " Her tone was matter - of - fact , practical. " I don''t need to be worrying about you on top of everything else . " Those simple words touched something profound in him. She worried about him . This was the first time since their breakup that she''d openly admitted to caring . " I promise , " he said softly . " Good . I''m going back to my room now .
Make yourself some tea when you get home . And take a hot shower , " she added , turning to leave . Asher remained motionless , watching her retreating figure until she disappeared from sight . It was well past two when he finally made it home . The house was silent , the staff long since retired . Asher took a scalding shower , then brewed himself a cup of ginger tea , the spicy warmth spreading through him as he drank it .
For the first time in days , when he finallyy down , sleep came quickly . His exhausted body surrendered to rest , her words and the memory of her embrace carrying him into darkness . ? ( 24 ) 回 ( 0 )