Saving the Villain

The magical night Cosette was expecting for Asher and Mia didn't happen, but that was fine. At least her night with Maxen was magical enough to remember. Maxen and Cosette didn't idle for long, taking advantage of the confrontation in the hall to sneak away. Although Cosette had a good grasp of the situation on their way out.

"Wait!"

Maxen and Cosette stopped in the hallway, going to the exit, turning their heads back to see the owner of the voice.

Asher.

Asher huffed before he marched in their direction, stopping one meter away from them.

"What?" Cosette frowned while Maxen's eyes shone with genuine wonder.

"Before you two go, can I speak with you, Cozie?" Asher didn't beat around the bush, keeping his eyes on Cosette. The latter knitted her brows even more, glancing at Maxen on instinct, as if seeking his approval.

"It's important, Cosette." Cosette set her eyes back to Asher as the latter added. "It's not something we can discuss tomorrow."

Maxen assessed Asher before his eyes fell on his wife. "I'll fetch the car."

"Sure."

Maxen cast Asher a look but said nothing, leaving the two as he continued his way out. The exit of the building to the parking space was near, so it didn't take long when Maxen was out of sight.

As soon as Maxen closed the door behind him, Cosette looked back at Asher.

"I swear if this isn't as important as you claim it was, I'll be very angry," she warned. "What do you need?"

"Divorce Maxen."

Cosette blinked, staring at Asher's straight face. Did she hear him correctly? She assessed his unchanging countenance, making her doubt the remarks she heard just now.

"What did you just say?" she asked. "I think I misheard you saying something —"

"You didn't." Deep lines appeared between her brows as Asher maintained his firm tone. "Let's get married."

"What — what?" Cosette couldn't help but scoff at the ridiculous suggestion coming out of his lips. "Is this what you meant when you said you need to discuss something very important? Hah! Asher Quinn, you seriously —"

"Early onset dementia." Her breath instantly hitched at the words that slipped past his lips without a moment's notice. "Leukemia, immune system problems, myeloma… should I go on with the list in your chart?"

Asher took an enormous step, grabbing her wrist to pull her close. "Aren't you ashamed? Don't you feel the slightest guilt every time your husband looks at you and smiles? Clueless that his wife is dying?"

"If you truly want to keep it a secret, you shouldn't have let me find out about it." His grip on her wrist tightened, grinding his teeth to contain his growing fury. "If you don't want to get treatment, then divorce Maxen and leave the country."

"Hah…" Cosette was speechless but her shaking eyes couldn't leave Asher's. His eyes were shining with determination, which was a little surprising since his words without context simply sounded like a man's desperate words for affection.

"Are you saying… I should just hurt him differently and make him remember me as his nightmare?" she clarified under her breath. Asher didn't answer, but the look on his face was enough to answer her question.

"I'll go with you," he remarked quietly. "We'll find someone to help you — I can assist you since I'm a doctor. If things go well, then… we'll come back."

"You are insane…"

"Cosette Blac!" Asher clenched his teeth to refrain from raising his voice. "I am insane? Between the two of us, who do you think is crazier? How long do you think before the truth catches up to you? Do you think you can keep it a secret forever?"

There were myriads of sentiments Asher wanted to say, but he didn't know where to start. Everything didn't make sense to him the moment he found out Cosette was seeing Doctor Matthew. Witnessing how Cosette and Maxen tonight didn't clear up anything. It only confused him.

What was she thinking?

Her lips parted to argue, but then Cosette bit her lips. Her ragged breath calmed down as she assessed Asher's countenance.

"I'm sorry, Ash." Cosette sported a short smile, raising her hand to cup his face. Asher froze, and his grip on her wrist loosened in surprise. "I'm sorry for breaking your heart again and for letting you find out."

Asher's heart sank as tears formed in the corner of his eyes. The mixed emotions that had been confusing him slowly cleared up. Now, he could discern which emotion was dominant. Asher slowly held her hand that was cupping his cheek as he closed his eyes, allowing the tears to stain his cheek.

"I made a lot of promises years ago," continued Cosette, holding back the tears that were tempting to escape her eyes. "I remember making one with you, and that was to live a happy life."

She took a momentary pause, smiling. "You and I know that my chances of survival are almost none. It was as though the heaven made sure I will not make it. That is why… I wanted to live the remainder of my days the way I wanted to. It's selfish — I know, but being selfish is the only thing I can be for now."

Cosette's eyes softened while he unknowingly released her wrist. He was still holding her other hand, so Cosette lifted the one he had previously held to wipe his tears. She allowed him to cry his eyes out as quietly as possible.

'I'm sorry,' she mentally whispered. 'And thank you for crying for me.'

Asher was the least person Cosette expected to have this type of confrontation with. Matter of fact, she didn't know she had to be careful that Asher might find out. After all, Asher wasn't in the country.

'Perhaps it was Heaven's will,' she added internally. 'This may sound wicked, but seeing you cry for me… somehow gave me a little warmth. You truly had changed, Ash, and I like this version of you more.'

Cosette stayed quiet, allowing Asher to calm down while she wiped his tears. When he calmed down, Asher sniffed hard. He raised his eyes to her, forcing a smile.

"Is it nice to…" Asher trailed off upon catching a figure several steps behind Cosette. His gaze slowly moved to the person; his pupils slowly dilated upon meeting the person's eyes.

Seeing Asher's reaction, Cosette furrowed her brows. She slowly turned around, and her world instantly stopped.

"Max," she whispered.