The One True Billionaire's Heir

Chapter Two

"What?" Elena asked, unsure of what she heard the first time.

"I will take the blame for your father. I'll happily go to prison for him." Asher reaffirmed, standing up from the couch.

"What the hell are you on about now?" Elena snarled at Asher.

"Baby, let me do this okay? Please" Asher begged with his eyes, while his in-laws watched the exchange.

"You're okay with going to prison?".Elena asked cynically.

"Elena see, it's just for a few days, I'll be back before you know it. I'm sure father has a plan".

"No, I can't -".

"I forgot to add, Asher, you'd have to divorce Elena" Andrew said, cutting Elena off.

"What?" Asher and Elena asked rhythmically. 

"Yes, that's the only way for everyone to believe the story".

"Divorce? Oh! Dad please" Elena said, looking stunned.

Andrew sighed. " Let's say you threatened to divorce him because you caught him cheating. To rebel against you and the family that supported your cause, he laundered money. People will direct their hate towards Asher and we would gain sympathy which will be beneficiary for the firm."

Elena scoffed, "You really thought this through dad, Wow!!" Elena ran her hand through her brunette hair and looked at Asher who was just speechless.

"Come on Lena, He won't rot in jail or anything. He'll be released on bail after some days and even if they continue investigating, there isn't enough evidence and Asher won't provide any substantial statement" Grace explained and turned to Asher.

"Right?, Asher".

Asher stared at the three of them blankly. Millions of thoughts ran through his mind at the same time. 

"Should I do it?. This might be the chance I get in getting Mr Andrew's approval of me. Once he sees me worthy of his daughter,his wife won't have any other choice". Asher's thought said to him. A string of renewed hope ran through him.

"Uhmm… yes" Asher said reassuringly.

"What the hell is wrong with you today?" Elena yelled at Asher desperately.

"Baby, I.." Asher's voice trailed off.

"I need to go cool off, you are unbelievable" Elena said, tears threatening to gush out of her eyes as she rushed out. Asher watched her storm out and sighed.

Elena could be a headache sometimes but he loved her beyond all reasoning. She was the reason he kept on enduring all the criticism from his in-laws without any complaint.

"I'll go talk to her. I know where she is headed." Asher said after an awkward period of silence.

"Yea…Thank you " Andrew replied as he turned to look at Asher.

"My pleasure sir" Asher managed to smile.

With that, Asher hurried out the living room and made his way to the only place Elena would be. The Garden.

 His heart weighed down heavily on him. For the first time, his father in-law spoke to him kindly for the first time. He was optimistic that they would be a happy family once all this was over.

"Elena" Asher called as he located her in between the flowers.  She had her back turned to him, sniffing the flowers around her.

"You're okay with divorcing me?" Elena asked in between tears.

Dropping the bouquet of flowers and cake  he had bought on his way home on the floor, he approached her "The divorce isn't real. You know I can't live without you"

"I can't believe you'll agree with this madness.Do you know how badly people will treat you from now on? Do you know how badly you'd be criticised?" Elena asked, trying to change his mind.

"Look, there's a bright side to this. For the first time, your father spoke to me like a human being. This is my chance to prove myself to your parents. This is our chance to have a peaceful family. At Least they will accept me now."

" Asher, you don't need my dad's approval for anything. You don't have to prove anything to him." Elena snapped at him 

"I have to"

" No you don't" Elena challenged " you are my husband, my partner. My dad's business is none of your problem".

"Your mother always belittled me for not having a background. I always pretended it was fine because I have you and you are always by my side." Asher chuckled bitterly as Elena's heart ached. " This is my only chance for them to at least deem me worthy of you. It really is ".

" Please…" Elena wept " Don't do this please".

"I have to"

"Please"

"Come on now Elena, don't be a cry baby. I'll be out before you know it. And when I'm out, your dad will sponsor our trip to an island where we will have all the fun we want. Okay?" Asher said as he brought Elena into his arms for an embrace.

" Look, I got your favourite cake and flower. It's your birthday, we aren't supposed to be fighting today". Asher drew closer and held her by the waist.

"Why are you so stubborn?". Elena gave into the hug, slightly hitting Asher on the chest, and chuckling bitterly. 

"It's fine baby. I'll be fine".Asher kissed her forehead, his heart ached, battling tears. He didn't feel right but he couldn't give up now.

They laid down on the grass and had a good time. Both holding on to each other like it was going to be their last.

******************************************************

Asher sighed as the sound of the end of visiting hours went off. It's been one month since he got to prison and he hasn't heard anything neither has he heard from his in-laws or his wife. His patience was running thin and he didn't know how long he could wait.

" Inmate 489" one of the guards called.

"Yes sir" Asher answered immediately, recognising his new name since he got there.

"You have a visitor"

Asher sprang up quickly and immediately followed the guard to the visiting room.

Elena quickly stood up at the sound of the door opening "Asher" she rushed to him and hugged him tightly. 

"Babe" Asher whispered softly, fighting back tears. He felt so relieved and happy seeing her.

" You only have five minutes with him. Mr Miller won't take it lightly with me if he hears I let you see him." The warden declared before leaving the room.

"Thank you so much, he won't know about this, I promise you" Elena who had already forgotten he was in the room assured him.

Alone with Asher, Elena eyed Asher from head to toe and her eyes filling up with tears. She trailed her hands over his face, her heart aching as her hands ran  over his soured wounds.

"Elena" Asher said, trying to remove her hands from his wounds as they hurt so much.

With a year running down her cheeks

," Oh my God, Asher…".