Unlikely Union

**Chapter Ten: Putting Pride Aside**

The hum of the city felt distant, muffled by the weight of the quiet that settled over Asher’s penthouse. Ella stood by the window, staring out at the sprawling skyline of New York, but her thoughts were miles away, tangled in a mess of emotions she didn’t quite know how to untangle. The past few days had felt like an endless storm—tension building between her and Asher, each unspoken word between them like another brick in a wall.

After the family event, she had retreated inward, her mind caught between the past and the present, between who she was and who everyone seemed to want her to be. She couldn’t shake the feeling of being an outsider—someone who didn’t belong in this world, no matter how hard she tried.

And then came the fight—the sharp words exchanged between her and Asher when they returned to the penthouse that night. She had tried to hold onto her pride, not wanting to let him see just how much Sienna’s presence had hurt her. But the words spilled out of her anyway, accusations flying, and in the heat of it all, they had ended up more distant than they’d ever been. She’d stormed off to the guest room, too angry and confused to stay in the same space as him, and Asher… well, he’d stayed on the other side of the house, the tension between them thick enough to cut with a knife.

Now, in the quiet aftermath, it felt like a chasm had formed between them. Neither had spoken much since that night.

Ella turned from the window and glanced at the door of the guest room. Asher had been mostly absent since the argument—busy with work, and avoiding the emotional mess that had unfolded between them. She hated the silence. She hated the way it felt like they were both waiting for the other to make the first move.

But she didn’t want to wait anymore.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, a message from her grandmother, something about a visit she’d been planning for weeks. Ella hadn’t seen her grandmother in months, and the idea of spending some time in her small, cozy home in upstate New York felt like a balm to her restless soul. Her grandmother had always been a grounding presence in her life—kind, wise, and endlessly patient. And right now, Ella needed that more than anything.

She quickly typed out a response to her grandmother, confirming the visit. A few moments later, she set the phone down and sighed.

Asher’s voice broke the silence, unexpected and quiet, coming from the doorway.

“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice low but full of sincerity. He wasn’t standing in his usual commanding way, but instead, leaned slightly against the doorframe, his posture almost reluctant. “I don’t want us to be like this.”

Ella turned to him, feeling the tension in the air, and for the first time in days, she noticed the look on his face—genuine regret, the hint of vulnerability that she hadn’t seen from him in a long time. His pride, usually so well-guarded, seemed to have cracked just a little.

“You don’t have to apologize,” Ella said softly, her voice trembling despite her effort to keep it steady. “I just… I don’t know how to fit into this world. I don’t belong here, Asher.”

He stepped forward, taking a slow breath as he watched her with intensity. His eyes softened, and he ran a hand through his dark hair, a nervous habit she hadn’t seen before. “You *do* belong. It’s just going to take time. I… I was proud, and I pushed you too hard. I thought if I kept you close to me, you’d see that you could handle it. But you don’t have to prove anything to anyone, especially not to me. You’re not just my wife. You’re *you*. And I should’ve done better by you.”

Ella’s heart clenched at his words, the unexpected honesty in his voice reaching her deeper than she wanted to admit. It wasn’t often that Asher put aside his pride and vulnerability like this, especially in front of her.

"I don't want you to think I'm ungrateful," she said, voice cracking slightly. "You’ve done so much for me already—helping me finish school, making sure I have everything I need. But sometimes... sometimes I just want to feel like I’m enough. Like I’m *myself*."

There was a beat of silence between them. Asher closed the distance, his hand resting on her shoulder gently, his touch warm and reassuring. “You are enough. And you’re everything I need. If I can’t be the one to show you that—then maybe it’s time I let you go somewhere you can be reminded of who you are.”

Ella’s eyes widened in confusion. “What do you mean?”

Asher hesitated for a moment before responding. “I think you should go visit your grandmother. Get away from all this. Clear your head. I’ve been too focused on what *I* want, and I didn’t think about what you need.”

Ella swallowed hard, emotions bubbling up again. She hadn’t expected this—didn’t expect him to put her needs first for once.

“You’re serious?” she asked softly, looking up at him.

Asher nodded slowly. “Yeah. You need space, Ella. To breathe. To remember who you are outside of me, outside of this world. I’ll give you that space. Go spend time with your grandmother. She’s important to you, isn’t she?”

Ella blinked back the sudden tears that stung her eyes. Her grandmother had always been there for her, offering wisdom and warmth in times of doubt. It felt like exactly what she needed.

“I… I think that’s a good idea,” she said, her voice shaky, but grateful. “I didn’t think you’d understand.”

“I’m trying to.” Asher’s voice was softer now, tinged with sincerity. “I’m not perfect, Ella. But I want to make this right. I want to make *us* right.”

Ella stood for a moment, taking in his words. It wasn’t easy—putting her trust in him after everything that had happened. But there was something in his eyes that told her he meant it, that he was willing to put in the effort this time. The idea of leaving, even temporarily, felt like a relief.

“Thank you,” she whispered, feeling a lump form in her throat. She never thought she’d hear Asher put his pride aside like this. “Thank you for letting me go.”

Asher smiled gently, stepping closer. “You don’t have to thank me. I want you to be happy, Ella. And I’ll wait for you to come back—whenever you’re ready.”

---

Ella’s journey to her grandmother’s home was a quiet one. She packed lightly, a small suitcase by her side, and for the first time in days, she felt a deep sense of peace. Asher had given her what she needed—space to breathe, to rediscover herself.

The drive upstate felt like the long exhale of a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. By the time she pulled into the familiar driveway of her grandmother’s house, nestled between tall oaks and lush greenery, Ella felt lighter than she had in weeks.

Her grandmother, a small but vibrant woman with silver hair and a quick smile, greeted her with a warm hug, instantly making Ella feel at home. The scent of fresh bread and cinnamon filled the air, and Ella felt a familiar sense of comfort flood over her.

“I’m so glad you’re here, sweetheart,” her grandmother said, her voice full of warmth. “It’s been too long.”

“I’ve missed you,” Ella replied, her voice thick with emotion. “I needed to get away for a bit. To think.”

“Well, we have plenty of time for thinking here,” her grandmother said with a twinkle in her eye. “No rush. You take your time. I’m just happy you’re here.”

Over the next few days, Ella found solace in the slow pace of life. Her grandmother’s home, cozy and lived-in, felt like a balm to her soul. As she helped her grandmother tend to the garden, cooked meals together, and spent quiet evenings on the porch, Ella slowly began to piece together the clarity she had been seeking.

It wasn’t just about finding her place in Asher’s world. It was about finding her own.

And when the time came to head back to New York, she knew she wasn’t leaving empty-handed. She had her own sense of self again—stronger, more grounded. And now, when she returned to Asher, she could do so as *her*, not just the woman standing beside him.

Her love for him hadn’t wavered. But this time, she was ready to face the future with her heart open and her feet firmly planted in the ground.

And for the first time in a long time, she believed she could truly have it all.