You Deserve Peace
"He was always so thoughtful," I agreed softly, memories tugging at my chest. "I trusted him so much. I don’t know when things changed."
Carter nodded, sadness darkening his gaze. "He fell in love. Not just casually. Deeply. Completely. It was consuming for him."
My throat tightened. "I didn’t realize how deeply it affected him."
"Neither did I," Carter said quietly, eyes distant. "At least, not until it was too late."
Silence settled between us, comfortable and heavy at once. Finally, he turned back to me, earnest and gentle. "Would you consider visiting him, Remi? I know it's a lot to ask after everything he did, but...he's my brother, and beneath all of it, he’s still a good man. He just lost himself somewhere along the way."
My breath caught slightly, hesitation clear in my voice. "I don’t know, Carter."
"Please," he said softly, eyes pleading. "You might help him in a way no one else can. Even if it’s just closure."
I exhaled slowly, finally nodding. "Alright. I'll go see him, at least to say goodbye. He deserves that much."
Carter’s shoulders relaxed slightly, relief washing over his face. "Thank you, Remi. Seriously."
I squeezed his hand again gently, rising from my chair. "You should eat before it gets cold. I promise it'll taste better than whatever they're serving here."
He grinned, already reaching eagerly for the meal. "I don't doubt that at all."
I stepped back out into the hall, heart heavy as I approached Asher’s room down the corridor. My pulse quickened with nervousness, uncertainty twisting sharply in my stomach. Pausing briefly at the door, I took a deep breath, gathering my courage before quietly stepping inside.
Asher stood near the window, his back turned to me. He was slowly buttoning up his shirt, movements careful and stiff, probably from lingering injuries.
I hesitated briefly, then cleared my throat softly. "Asher."
He turned abruptly at my voice, startled eyes locking onto mine immediately. His hands froze mid-motion, surprise evident in every line of his face.
"Remi…" His voice was a breathless whisper, cautious and uncertain.
I forced a gentle smile, stepping further inside, heart pounding with mixed emotions. "Hi, Asher."
"Remi," he breathed again, his expression uncertain as he finished buttoning his shirt. He looked down briefly, shifting his weight awkwardly. "I… didn't think you'd actually come."
I nodded slowly, stepping a bit closer. "I promised Carter I would check on you. He says you're doing better."
He let out a faint, humorless laugh. "Physically, sure. The rest… well, that's a work in progress."
I tilted my head gently, eyes softening. "One day at a time, right?"
He glanced at me, a hint of his old, familiar warmth resurfacing briefly. "Yeah. Something like that."
Silence settled around us, heavy and uncertain. I felt it pressing against my chest, making the air feel thin. Asher clearly felt it too because he shifted restlessly, finally meeting my gaze with a tentative smile.
"This room feels a bit—"
"Strange?" I offered softly.
"Yeah," he admitted with a quiet chuckle. "Maybe we could… go for a walk instead? The hospital garden isn't far, and it beats these walls."
I nodded without hesitation, grateful for the suggestion. "Alright. A walk sounds good."
We left the room quietly, our footsteps echoing gently against the polished floor. Outside, sunlight filtered through the trees overhead, casting dappled shadows across the winding path. The warmth of the afternoon was soothing, gently easing the tension between us.
"Have you been okay?" Asher asked softly, glancing at me sideways. "After everything, I mean."
I sighed, considering the question carefully. "Better, at least. I'm trying to get back to normal, whatever that means now."
He nodded, thoughtful. "And Rowan?"
I hesitated, then decided honesty was best. "We're figuring things out. Slowly. He's changed, Asher. He's trying hard to be better."
He raised an eyebrow slightly, a faint sadness flickering through his eyes. "I won't lie, Remi—I never expected you'd go back to him. After everything he put you through, I thought…"
"I know," I said softly, understanding what he was leaving unspoken. "But I've let go of the past. Or at least, I'm trying. Rowan isn't who he used to be. He’s learning, growing. We're both different people now, and I believe we deserve a second chance."
Asher nodded slowly, swallowing. "I guess that makes sense."
We continued walking in gentle silence for a moment until my phone vibrated softly in my pocket. Curious, I glanced at the screen, my heart lifting slightly when Rowan’s name appeared.
The message read: "Are you made of copper and tellurium? Because you're Cu-Te."
I couldn't help the quiet giggle that escaped, a warmth spreading across my cheeks.
Asher noticed immediately, raising a brow. "What's so funny?"
I looked up at him, smiling helplessly. "It's Rowan—he just sent me a ridiculously cheesy pickup line."
Asher paused, his expression caught between amusement and something deeper. "Really? Rowan sends pickup lines?"
"Apparently," I laughed, my voice lighter now, caught in the simple joy of the moment. "Honestly, I never imagined him as the type, but it turns out he's terrible at jokes. It's actually kind of sweet."
I started to explain the joke, excitedly rambling about chemistry references, until suddenly I noticed the look on Asher's face—the fleeting shadow of pain, quickly masked but unmistakable.
"Oh," I said softly, my laughter fading instantly. "Asher, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have—"
"It's fine," he interrupted gently, shaking his head with a forced smile. "Really, Remi. You have nothing to apologize for."
"But—"
"Look," he said softly, his voice steady but sincere. "Maybe you're right. Maybe it's time for me to let go too. If you truly love someone, you let them find happiness—even if it’s not with you."
My heart tightened at his honesty, the genuine sadness beneath his quiet words. "Asher…"
"Don't," he said quietly, holding up a hand. "It’s okay, Remi. I understand now. I've had a lot of time to think about everything, and I've realized… you deserve to be happy. With whoever makes you feel safe and loved."
I sighed softly, guilt still pressing at me. "Thank you, Asher."
We paused near a small wooden bench beneath a sprawling oak tree. Asher stopped, turning to face me fully, his gaze gentle yet intense.
"Can I say something, though?" he asked quietly.
I nodded, meeting his eyes carefully. "Of course."
"You spend so much energy protecting everyone around you, your kids, your friends, e
ven Rowan. But maybe it's time you start focusing on yourself too. You deserve peace, Remi. True peace."
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