“Please. Twenty more minutes.”

I put my palms together in front of a waitress who had asked me to leave the restaurant as it was already closing time.

Some restaurant workers looked at me like a freak, but I didn't care. I risked some embarrassment by waiting for my boyfriend because today was our special day.

I put on my best makeup and wore a beautiful dress to celebrate my wedding anniversary with My Alpha Prince boyfriend, Asher.

I waited for him from seven until just over eleven at night. But he didn't come.

“I'm sorry, Miss Aria. But you can't,” the waitress said.

All the food in front of me was untouched by me. The cake Asher ordered melted because it stayed on the table for too long.

“All right, I'll go. Please prepare a new cake like this one for me to take home," I pleaded.

“My pleasure, Miss.”

The waitress took the cake to wrap it up. While I was still hoping that Asher would come at the last moment, we could make a wish together and blow out the candles on our cake.

Ah, how stupid of me to still expect Asher to come. This has already happened. Last year, Asher also broke his promise to celebrate our wedding anniversary.

I hoped he would make up for last year's event's failure with today's. But apparently, that's impossible.

It doesn't matter to me if she forgets the other days. But it shouldn't be today.

A notification from a social media post of someone I knew popped up on my phone.

My hand was shaking violently. I almost dropped my phone when I saw that a picture of Asher sitting beside a beautiful woman at a bar had been posted.

I know the woman. She is Diana. The person Asher always referred to as his best friend.

My heart felt like the hooves of a wolf had ripped it out. My chest tightened because Asher was together with Diana while I was waiting for him to celebrate the date he promised.

I got up from my seat to prepare to go home with such a tight feeling in my chest.

“Miss Aria, the cake -”

“For you.” I left the cake and everything there.

What did I come for exactly? Why didn't I learn from the previous incident? Why didn't I also realize that Asher would still choose to spend time with Diana than me?

“Aria...”

My steps halted as I found Asher in front of me with his breath caught in his throat. Did he run to come here? But for what?

“Why did you come to a closed restaurant, Alpha Prince?” I asked sarcastically.

“I'm sorry. Today, Diana is heartbroken, so I tried to cheer her up."

Asher did apologize. But I didn't see any guilt in his eyes. My throat choked up, feeling hurt in the same place at the same time, the same person. I need to be entertained, too. But I didn't get that from Asher.

Because I don't want to be weak in front of him, I choose to pass it by ignoring it.

“Are you angry?” Asher asked, following me.

I chuckled. “Of course not. On my wedding anniversary, I only wish my husband happiness. And you got it with Diana. Can I be angry if my wish is fulfilled?”

Even if I openly expressed my anger, Asher wouldn't understand. He would explain that there was no relationship between him and Diana and then say that Diana needed him.

It happened repeatedly, and I always trusted him again after that just because of the little gifts Asher gave me. I'm too quickly satisfied.

“This is our wedding. I should celebrate it with you.” Asher took my hand to wait for him, who was walking behind me.

“You're not happy yet?” I asked.

“You're my happiness, so let's celebrate our wedding anniversary.”

I instantly showed him my phone screen. “Our wedding date is over, Asher.” I dismissed his hand and left.

Our apartment wasn't far from the restaurant. We could jump like wolves to get there quicker if we wanted to. But that wasn't the problem. No matter how far and special the place was, if it weren't for Diana, Asher wouldn't have cared.

Arriving at the apartment, I immediately removed my makeup. Asher caught up, and judging by his gestures, he wanted to talk to me.

“Don't talk about anything!” I stopped her before she did.

"Sorry. But why are you so angry?"

Asher asked why I was angry. For the love of the Moon Goddess, I wanted to say how stupid this handsome man was. He apologized, but he still asked where he went wrong.

“I'm not angry.” I still tried to lie to him. “You can do the same thing on the day of my death, too.” I continued.

I couldn't stop myself from speaking. My throat choked up, making my voice tremble. I wanted to cry, but that wouldn't change that Asher would understand his mistake and apologize sincerely.

I didn't want much. I wanted him to show his guilty face and apologize. That's all. Asher doesn't need to kneel before me. I want Asher to appreciate my existence.

“Aria, you’re overdoing it. I'll make up for today's failure with a date tomorrow.”

I sneered softly. “Bullshit!"

"I promise. Tomorrow night, in the same restaurant."

Knock... knock... knock...

Someone knocked on our apartment door. Asher and I looked at each other for a while as if we were having a telepathic conversation about who was coming like this in the middle of the night.

“I'll open the door,” I said hurriedly.

As I opened the door to our apartment, a flash of wind rushed into our apartment past me before I knew who it was.

When I turned my head towards Asher, I saw Diana hugging him tightly with a moan of tears. I don't know what made her like that, but I focused only on Diana's position.

Diana was hugging my boyfriend right in front of my eyes!

I was petrified, looking at Diana. Despite her disheveled appearance, she hugged Asher without embarrassment. She sobbed and tightened her embrace on Asher, making the wolf in me want to attack her.

In the past, I may have immediately pulled Diana away from my boyfriend. But this time, I restrained myself because I wanted to see how Asher would respond to Diana's drama.

“I'm scared...” she whimpered.

“What are you afraid of?” Asher was still trying to figure out what made Diana cry like that.

“After you left, I watched a horror movie and got scared,” Diana replied.

Asher laughed so hard after hearing Diana's words. He was never like that when he was with me. I like seeing her laugh like that. I'm just hurt that the person behind that laugh isn't me.

That's when I knew that Asher was allowing Diana into his life more deeply. Asher's hand was wrapped around Diana's body.

“How strange. You're so scared, but you watch horror movies.” Asher commented amidst his laughter.

“You recommended that movie, Asher.” Diana is so spoiled.

“Calm down, you're safe with me,” Asher said.

What?

What did Asher say just now? Why did the two become so dramatic just because of a horror movie? For the love of the Moon Goddess, I'm sick of seeing and hearing them.

“With you? Do you intend to live with him after this?” I asked.

Asher looked at me with burning eyes, showing annoyance. I should have been the one annoyed; I should have been angry, and I should have had the right to glare at him as he did.

With great care, Asher sat Diana on the sofa and went straight to the kitchen to give her a warm drink to calm her down. His attention goes beyond anything when it comes to Diana.

Even Asher doesn't care about my current existence.

“Did you get hurt because of a horror movie?” I asked Diana.

My question made Asher and Diana look up at me. Their gazes were equally threatening because of my question. Ah, the two of them are so compatible with their cohesiveness.

I laughed amusedly at their stares.

“Diana, you're crying. That means there's a deep wound, doesn't it?” I spoke.

“Don't worry, Aria. If I get hurt, Asher will heal me right away.” Diana responded by squinting her eyes back at me.

Ah, I forgot that he was an Alpha with the power to heal wounds.

If only Asher could use that power to heal the wounds of my heart for what he did, I would genuinely live without any pain. I would ask him to heal me all the time after he hurt me.

“You're right, Diana. So, are you hurt by something?” asked Asher.

She briefly shook her head but then showed her leg. “It's just that my legs are a little sore from running,” she said with a small smile.

With that, Asher naturally paid attention to Diana's legs, looking for where Diana's legs were aching, with Asher's good intentions to help Diana.

Meanwhile, Diana looked at me with a slight grin. The look on her face was as if she was so satisfied that her plan to keep me away from Asher had succeeded. She deliberately played with some of Asher's hair to provoke my anger.

So sneaky.

“You should have accompanied me to that movie. But you left instead.” Diana tried to make Asher feel guilty about what had happened to him.

“Sorry, but I have a special day celebration appointment with Aria,” Asher responded.

What matters to him? He would leave anything for Diana. That matters as if Diana is his priority, as well as his world and life. Everything is about Diana.

“I feel safe when I'm with you.” Diana played with Asher's hair.

“Hey, do you two need a room for the next scene?” I interrupted their conversation.

Hearing my words, they both turned to me. Asher's brow furrowed as he got tired of my attitude. But I felt innocent. I was only offering them something good.

“Why are you looking at me like that? I'm offering you a room for free.”

“Aria!” Asher's tone was low. But it was full of emphasis, indicating his anger with my words.

Ugh!

I forgot that only Asher has the right to be angry, jealous, happy, and sad in our marital relationship. I couldn't. Asher is the sole heir to the Clawhaven Clan's Alpha bloodline. He is a prince. But that doesn't work in our relationship.

In marriage, we are husband and wife. No one has a higher or lower rank.

“Aria, I know I'm intruding. I'm sorry,” Aria apologized.

Just like when Asher apologized to me, her eyes showed no guilt. Diana looked satisfied that she had drawn all of Asher's attention.

“You apologized, but are you still sitting here?”

Asher immediately got up from his seat and raised his hand towards me, asking me to stop talking. From this, I can conclude that Asher will still defend Diana even though Diana is the guiltiest person in our relationship, which is heading towards destruction.

“Aria, stop this!” Asher commented.

I could see Diana holding back her laughter at the sight of me earning Asher's ire several times in front of her.

Asher, don't you see Diana's annoying face? She's trying to destroy our relationship! How can I tell you so that you understand?

“Asher, I'll just go home. Aria seems to be in a bad mood.” Diana got up from her seat.

“Aria, calm yourself. I'll take Diana home. It'll only take a minute.”

Of course.

Of course, I had to calm down while watching Asher leave our residence and lead Diana. He didn't even calm me down like he did Diana.

Unable to hold back any longer, I went into my room and burst into tears right then and there. Silently, I bit my arm to vent my anger and disappointment at what Asher did.

I don't know how to describe the pain I feel.

I hadn't spoken to Asher since morning. Even to avoid him, I left for work early and left a note that I had to meet with a writer whose manuscript I was working on. I didn't lie about my job.

I was angry with him, but I still prepared all of Asher's needs, especially his breakfast and clothes. The problem was that I forgot to put his lunch in his bag.

“I'll drop off his lunch,” I thought.

“Did you see Lady Diana's post on Flashgram?”

My hearing is very sensitive. But I'm even more sensitive if someone mentions 'Lady Diana' or 'Prince Alpha Asher Clawhaven.'

As I glanced over, I saw several of my coworkers huddled, staring at the screen of a cell phone belonging to one of them.

“Seriously, they look so good together. Look at the way Alpha Prince Asher holds Lady Diana's hand!” Another chimed in.

“Too bad they haven't confirmed that they're dating yet.”

“Lady Diana is pretty and charming.”

Feeling curious about the comments I heard directly, I stole some working hours to open Flashgram and check the much-talked-about upload. As it turned out, Diana's post had already galvanized the city. Unsurprisingly, Diana's posts on her social media involve Valonia's Alpha Prince, Asher.

Judging from the time Diana uploaded the photo, it was when Asher drove Diana home.

“I'm sure they love each other.” Everyone seemed enthusiastic about Diana and Asher's relationship.

Yes, I confirmed their words when I saw the reality of the photo upload that my coworkers were talking about.

Asher seemed focused on driving with one hand, the other clasping Diana's hand tightly. How could anyone not think that they were a couple? They were getting along well, and their relationship received much support from many people.

“Ah, my ship has come true.” Someone jumped up and down enthusiastically with Diana's post.

“Hey, your voice is too loud! Don't you know that Aria is currently Prince Asher's girlfriend?” Another chided.

“Disappointing. Why would a Prince love a lowly woman like Aria so much?”

They were whispering, but I could still clearly hear them. I looked away as their cynical eyes fell on me.

Besides being hurt by Asher and Diana, the loyal fans of the two of them were also starting to hurt me. I never thought loving Asher would be this painful. I don't want to cry anymore. My eyes are still puffy, and I don't want to worsen them.

Not wanting to hear more about Asher and Diana, I got up with the lunch I had prepared for Asher. Asher's office is near my work. So I can get there on foot.

“Lowly woman? They don't know that Diana is just like me. She's just lucky to have been adopted by a wealthy family.” I grumbled in annoyance.

I saw a few messages from Asher come in. And I suddenly felt happy because I thought Asher remembered the substitute date he promised. He may let me know the time and place of our date.

My happiness didn't last long. It was all gone after I saw Asher's message. He canceled our date.

“I'm expecting too much of him!” I complained.

*Asher Clawhaven*

[Aria, I'm sorry. I have an essential business meeting today. I'll find another day for our date. I'll be home late too].

I let out a long sigh. Why do I never stop hoping for her despite knowing the same result? She has an important business meeting, so I'll leave her lunch with the people in her office later. I was always worried about Asher's health, even though he didn't care about my worries.

Yeah, Asher has taken the time to send me a message. I was just as bad as Asher if I didn't appreciate it.

I replied;

[All right, have fun.]

“Prince Alpha is handsome when he laughs out loud. Only Lady Diana could make him look like that.”

The people I passed on the street were talking about the same thing. But... Asher? Laughing out loud? Where did they see him laughing like that?

Besides being never out of my mind, Asher and Diana were never out of the public eye. I always heard support for their relationship. It was like eating food I didn't like every day to survive.

I took a deep breath of the fresh city air. My eyes fell on a cafe where a man seemed to be talking to someone on his phone.

Ah, I couldn't lie to myself. I loved him.

“Asher.” I approached him.

Asher ended his call and looked at me. “Aria, you here. What's wrong?” he asked.

“Your lunch. I forgot it, sorry,” I said, handing him his lunch.

“Hi, Aria. Did Asher call you?” Diana walked closer to us from inside the cafe.

Diana was there, which meant that Asher was probably spending time with that sneaky woman. People saw him laughing when he was with Diana.

I concluded that Asher had canceled our date for the umpteenth time for Diana's sake.

“Ah, Diana. You haven't eaten yet, right? This is for you.”

In front of me, without the slightest hesitation, Asher handed Diana the lunch I had brought for him.

“But, Asher. I cooked for you because I was worried about your GERD.” I tried to stop Diana's hand, who was about to grab the lunch I had brought from Asher's hand.

“I've already eaten, Aria.”

“Then, you can eat for tonight. You said you'd be home late.”

“Don't worry, I don't get hungry easily. Instead of wasting it, wouldn't it be better to give it to Diana?”

Asher's words made Diana confidently take the lunchbox with a triumphant smile. She immediately opened the box and took a small portion of the food to try it.

“It's delicious. I like your cooking, Aria.” Diana praised me, but I didn't feel happy. “Asher always gives me his lunchbox, Aria.” She continued with her mouth actively chewing.

“If I had known that you were the one who ate it from the start, I would have put poison in the food.” I gritted my teeth to hold back the fangs that seemed to insist on appearing right then and there.