I couldn’t help but laugh and patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t be nervous. Believe in yourself. I’m really looking forward to seeing it finished.”

Asher blushed again.

I adjusted my shawl and asked, “Will you come again tomorrow?”

He looked a bit confused.

“You need to finish the painting, right? I want to display it in my exhibition.”

Asher was thrilled and agreed without hesitation.

And so, over the course of two weeks, he came by intermittently and finally finished the portrait.

On the day he completed it, Asher stood in front of me, fidgeting, then asked, “Grace, do you… do you have a boyfriend?”

At that moment, I was facing away from him, tidying up my art supplies. Out of his sight, a smile crept up on my lips.

I had been waiting for him to ask this question.

“Why do you want to know?” I turned around.

“Because… I want to pursue you.”

Asher was very straightforward and innocent. His emotions were written all over his face—completely unlike his sister Jasmine, who was a master of disguise.

“Grace, you’ve always been my idol. I’ve admired you for a long time. I don’t just love your art, I love you.”

“Grace, is it okay?” he asked again.

I smiled but gave no response, only telling him to go home.

He looked disappointed and cast one last longing glance at the painting before he left.

Evening.

The first thing my husband, Christopher Renolds, said after coming home was that he’d be going on a business trip in a few days.

I could smell the faint scent of body wash on him, confirming that he had showered before coming back.

Unhappy, I asked him, “Where to?”

“Just the next city over.”

The next city? Isn’t that where Jasmine is staying during her pregnancy?

For some reason, ever since Jasmine got pregnant, Christopher had sent her even farther away. Was he afraid I’d find out?

So, was this really a business trip, or was he just going to see his sweet little mistress?

Sensing my displeasure, Christopher tried to cozy up to me, leaning in for a hug.