"Yes, it's delicious."
The truth was, he didn't even know if the food was salty, sweet, or spicy.
He just chewed and swallowed mechanically whatever Ashley put into his plate. Even when he came across some very hot and spicy peppers, he continued to eat without making a single reaction.
He was becoming more and more anxious. He didn't know what to expect. He was convinced that his instincts were right as time passed. She was so gentle to him as she served food on his plate.
'Is she just waiting for the right moment to talk to me about it or is she going to ask me to let her go so she could be with the person she really loves?'
As he thought about it, his eyes turned cold. 'No way! I'd never do that. I'm never letting her go!'
Meanwhile, Ashley was thinking that since she had been treating him so well, it shouldn't be a problem if she suddenly started asking him her questions.
She hoped he would answer her questions honestly. In any case, she would respect his choice, she reminded herself.
However, on second thought, she realized she still wasn't ready to accept that scenario in case it would happen.
She shook her head in an attempt to clear her head. "Okay, if you want more, feel free to get more."
After dinner, Ashley took away the dishes and put them in the kitchen. Then she walked over to Andrew who still hadn't moved. She said, "We should go upstairs to talk."
Andrew trailed behind her as she climbed the stairs, taking one step at a time and watching her back.
When they got to the bedroom, Ashley closed the door and took a deep breath. She was trying to gather all her courage. 'You can do this, Ashley, ' she said inwardly.
After which, she turned to Andrew. When she spoke, she tried to level her voice. "Are you having an affair with another woman?"
Andrew was stunned.
'What's going on here?
What did she just say?
Why wouldn't she just say that she's leaving me? Why would she accuse me of having an affair?
I've only loved you and that's always going to be the case! I've never even come close to another woman.
How could I have another woman?'
However, his lack of response only meant one thing to Ashley: her suspicions were right. He was at a loss for words because he had been found. His secret was finally out in the open.
"Are you really having an affair? What about all those things that you promised me? You've probably made the same promises to your other woman. Or maybe I was just a novelty to you and you've found someone whom you genuinely love? If that's the case then I..." 'I'll give you what you want.'
She thought she'd be able to say that out loud but she just couldn't. She choked and couldn't utter another word.
She squatted down and hugged her knees and started to cry.
She realized that she couldn't say those words because she had been so used to having Andrew in her life. She couldn't just let him go.
'Ashley, just admit it. You're in love with him. Your heart's been conquered.
If that wasn't true then why would you be acting this way?' she told herself.
Andrew stared at Ashley, astonished as she spoke to him. 'What kind of nonsense is she talking about? I'm having an affair? Then how come I don't know about it?'
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