I had never spoken to him so politely before.
Asher's expression shifted, uncertainty clouding his features.
"Don’t be like this. You’re just trying to get a rise out of me, right? We’ve learned to retreat in order to advance."
He paused, his demeanor softening as he added, "Forget it. Just come back with me. Dorothy has been asking about you. She’s always wanted a sister."
"I need to keep an eye on you, so you don’t get mixed up with the wrong crowd and learn things you shouldn’t."
But I had made my decision, and there was no way I could go back.
When he saw my indifference, his frustration flared.
"What else do you want from me? I’ve treated you like a sister and taken care of you all these years. Don’t push your luck."
Push my luck? To make him and Dorothy happy, I had chosen to have an abortion and leave quietly. Was that being pushy?
"I think we should separate for a while. I plan to move out."
Asher stared at me, disbelief etched across his face, as if he were trying to confirm that I wasn’t serious.
"Are you kidding? Just because I didn’t pay enough attention to you? Can you stop with the games?"
I met his gaze with calm resolve.
"I'm not playing games."