**Author's POV**
"Last warning," she said, tapping a cadence on the tile floor. She looked around to see Asher staring down at the ground, frightened.
Her face began to darken with anger. "And what are you going to do? Thrash me?"
Fueled by a hint of anger, the contempt in Nora's voice should have stopped Peony. Instead, the woman's biting tone only intensified her fury. She pulled her hands from her hold and snatched a bangle off her wrist, brandishing the chain in Nora's face.
Peony felt tears welling in Asher's eyes. She didn't know why the girl was crying, but it only made her passion burn hotter, more out of control. Her body shook so violently that she thought she might fall apart; every breath hurt. She tossed the chain at Nora's feet.
"You are a pathetic jerk, and I won't lift a finger before you grovel at my knees," she said, glaring down at Nora with disgust and anger vibrating through her body.
"Try it," Nora dared. Asher moved toward Nora and held her arms. "Please, Mama, don't fight with Miss Peony," she pleaded. Despite the tears in the innocent girl's eyes, Nora pushed her aside and growled.
"You disgusting brat! How dare you call me 'mother' when you've never considered me one?" Her anger, directed at Peony and her own impotence, spread through her limbs, making them burn as if on fire. Peony gritted out her words one by one. "I don't care who you are," her voice cracked, but she forced it into a flat growl again. "I am nobody's toy. You can insult me, think me ignorant, but never—never think you can treat me like some trash or call her a brat. What kind of mother are you?" She felt blood starting to form beneath her nails. Asher whimpered against her hip. "Please don't fight with Mama," she pleaded, her gaze wavering.
Anger melted the frozen ball in Peony's stomach as she closed the distance to Nora . The woman's breath felt hot on her face. "Don't get on my bad side," Peony warned, gripping her wrist.
"Or what will happen?" Nora shot back. The attempted smile never reached her pretty hazel eyes; she bit her bottom lip, clearly uncomfortable with being touched by this strange woman. Nora flinched but did nothing else; apparently, her objections and warnings meant nothing to Peony.
"Stay away from my daughter and husband! They can never be yours." Nora crossed her arms tightly over her chest, tilted her hips, and raised an eyebrow, apparently stepping back, intimidated by Peony's heavy gaze. "I won't say it again." She took a long glance at them and walked away.
Peony huffed, irritation clear in her voice. She was quite aggravated.
Her eyes drifted to the poor, unsophisticated child, who had tear-streaked cheeks and was sniffing. She approached Asher and bent to her level. "Are you okay?" Asher reluctantly nodded, awkwardly shifting her weight.
"What happened to your mother?" Peony lifted Asher's chin to peer into her face. Tears were about to spill again, and she felt the pull of Asher's chin as the girl tried to turn away. "I'm sorry I went overboard, Asher. If you don't want to talk about it, I can always respect your decision."
Asher held up a hand to stop her. "She went to heaven," she paused as more tears fell from her eyes. "Mama says she was my father's mistress and that I don't deserve to be born." Asher's voice was so low that Peony had to step closer to hear. Her eyes widened in bewilderment at this revelation. "And your Dada?" she asked, studying the girl's blazing tears.
"I love Dada so much! Just that…" Asher's voice cracked as more tears fell. "Dad's always busy with work, and I have to stay with Mummy." All at once, Peony pulled the girl into a tight hug. She felt the basement pull of her own eyes welling up, and before she knew it, tears dropped in a flash like a floodgate bursting. "I'm sorry, Asher. I didn't know you were going through so much at such a young age," she whimpered as more tears fell from her eyes.
"I don't care if she treats me badly or punishes me; I just want her to love me! Because I trust her so much," Asher purred, breathing heavily against Peony's shoulder.
"I will talk to your father, Asher. Maybe he will help."
"No!" Asher sneered, forcing her hold away. "It's our little secret after all, and Dad can never find out." Her eyes filled with fear and anger. "Don't tell my Dada, or she's going to hate me." Peony was taken aback by the girl's sudden reaction. She felt an overwhelming urge to wipe all her tears and sorrows away. She moved closer to Asher and held her arms lovingly. "Your secret is also my secret, Asher. Besides, I'm your new teacher and your best friend." She briskly wiped the tears from Asher's eyes and smiled warmly. "Don't worry, Asher. I will protect you." She didn't know what came over her, but a motherly feeling washed through her body. "I assure you, you will get all the love you want from me."
Asher's eyes lit up with hope. Instantly, she drew forward and pulled Peony into another hug. "Thank you, idol! I love you very, very much," she sincerely muttered.
As soon as they broke off the hug, they walked into the bathroom.
Asher halted, smiling brightly as she peered at the pile of clothes scattered neatly on the bed. "I'm excited! Emma, finally we can see Asher!"
Emma simply smiled, folding the clothes that were strewn across the bed. "I'm thrilled! Asher will be a gorgeous and adorable kid by now."
"Oh, Emma!" Asher said, sipping juice and carefully placing the cup on the table beside her. "Asher will be elated to see us!"
"Yep! She's going to love our surprise after such a long time." Emma did a happy dance and pulled out her phone, dialing a number.
"How are you?" Immediately, Alex's voice rang out over the phone. She had a dominating aura but seemed extremely happy.
"Alex!" they screamed simultaneously. Alex smiled, closing the file on her laptop and inspecting the girls closely. "How is Asher?" she immediately asked.
"She's quite fine, at least, but she's tremendously missing us," Asher answered, closing the box. She walked to the counter and gingerly picked up her books.
"How are you?" Emma asked, concern evident in her blue eyes. "Are you okay?"
Alex silently stared at them, overwhelmed with grief. "I'm good." After what felt like an eternity, she eventually answered, looking down. "I'm all good." She attempted a smile but failed. On the other hand, Asher was battling her own feelings.
Emma closed the pink bag, directed her large eyes at the FaceTime camera, and asked straight away, "You should be, Alex. It's been four years already." She huffed and sighed to calm herself down, clearly battling with her emotions.
"Are you coming over for her birthday?" Asher surveyed her, breaking the silence.
"Yes, I will probably come. It's my Asher's birthday, and I won't miss it as her godmother." She stroked her hair, but Asher could tell she was trying to contain her tears. Why wouldn't she? No one had moved past her death.
She walked past her friend to the closet and helped her pack the rest of the things. "Why don't you carry fewer bags, Ash? It's not like we won't come back." Asher shook her head and continued through the closet.
"It's my gift to my niece I'm seeing after a long time, Emma. I have to carry more," she said.
"Can they pass through security checkpoints, Ash?" Emma reached for a wrapped box and frowned. "Aren't you overreacting, making a mountain out of a molehill?"
Asher chuckled and closed in on Emma. "For my sister's birthday, I can take the earth." She took the box and placed it neatly in the bag.
"Asher is also my niece, don't forget!" Emma sneaked up on Asher. "And I'm likely her sweet sister, her most favorite," she proudly said with confidence, pulling out a huge box. "Don't think I didn't take part in getting a gift for her," she said, tilting her hips and raising an eyebrow.
Asher gasped, covering her mouth with her hand and feigning anger. "You, Emma, you pretentious young lady!" she screamed, picked up a pillow, and lashed out at her. But before she could catch her, Emma made a run for it, running in circles around the room.
Alex silently watched them banter with amusement. She cracked a smile, and after a long moment, she heaved a sigh.
"Right, Emma, you're definitely right." She ran a hand through her hair as her eyes welled up. No sooner had she added in haste, "I'm going to go now. More work," than they giggled, dismissing her as funny, even though a larger part of them was overcome with grief.
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