Cora Asher Lila Novel After his first love came back, I decided to get a divorce.

I once believed Asher and I would grow old together, until Lila returned, Buddy died at my feet, and I realized I meant nothing to him. My project was taken, my reputation crushed, and even my mothers last keepsake was desecrated. In that moment, I finally understood his love had never been mine.

When the confidential space program reached out to me, I signed the ten-year anonymity agreement and ended our farcical marriage. And only when he stood in an empty home, with every trace of me gone, did he finally understand that he had destroyed the only love that had ever been steadfastly his.


Staring at the NDA in my hand, I signed my name without hesitation. Professor, Im willing to join the Aquila Advanced Propulsion Program. He studied me with a hint of regret. You understand this mission is classified. Once you join, youll be stationed at the Redwater Desert Research Facility. Ten years of anonymity. No contact with the outside world. No one will be able to find you.

Arent you getting married? You should at least discuss this with your fianc.
Thinking of Ashers cold, resolute expression, I gave a faint, bitter smile and shook my head. Theres no need.

The professor fell silent for a moment, then nodded. Very well. Prepare yourself. We depart in seven days.

It was raining when I left his office, and I walked home through the downpour. Unsurprisingly, Asher still hadnt returned.

Lila had taken Buddythe dog Id raised since childhood. When I tried to talk to Asher, he blamed me instead and disappeared for three days. I slipped the ring off my finger and tossed it into the drawer. Asher had made it for me by hand, a symbol of lifelong love, meant never to be removedeven in death.

I used to believe we would grow old together. But everything changed the moment Lila came back from overseas. Asher forgot my birthday, ignored my feelings, and I became the most invisible person in the house.

I was about to change out of my soaked clothes when the doorbell rang. Opening it, I saw Lila standing there, malice flickering in her eyes as she kicked something toward me. This mutt wouldnt listen and ran into a car.

I stared in disbelief at Buddys small body, fur matted with mud and blood. A sharp, unbearable pain twisted my chest, and tears blurred my vision. Lila only shrugged with a mocking smile. Its just a dog. Do you have to cry like someone in your family died?

My restraint snapped. I shoved her.
She screamed dramatically, collapsing into Ashers arms as he rushed over. Tears filled her eyes instantly. Asher, the dog ran out on his own I never meant for this to happen. Why is she blaming me?

Before I could speak, she looked even more aggrieved. Im sorry, Cora I know you loved him

Touching Buddys still-warm body, my voice trembled with grief. Whats the use of saying sorry!

Lila wilted pitifully into Ashers chest. I even brought the dogs body back for her, and she speaks to me like this

Ashers face hardened with irritation. Its just an animal. Its deadso what? My grandmother left you so much money. You can buy as many dogs as you want.

With his protection, Lila cried even harder, soaking a dark patch on Ashers shirt. As if that werent enough, he continued, Cora, when did you become so petty and unreasonable?

Animal.
The word echoed in my head like a blow.

He knew what Buddy meant to me. Buddy was the last gift my mother left me before she died. Asher had once promisedat my mothers bedsidethat he would take care of both me and Buddy.

Yet now, for Lila, he dismissed Buddy as nothing.

His heart had already drifted far away.

Exhaustion washed over me. I didnt want to fight anymore. Thinking of the decision I had made earlier that day, I felt a strange sense of relief.

Asher gently stroked Lilas back and shot me a glare. Are you satisfied now? Then he tipped her chin up tenderly. Its raining. Ill drive you home.

Lila nestled into his arms and cast me a smug, triumphant smirk from where he couldnt see.

Watching him leave without a backward glance, I felt the last of my illusions crumble. The Asher who once claimed he fell for me at first sight had never truly loved me. I had been a stand-in during his loneliness, and Lila was the one he really wanted. Now that the rightful owner had returned, Ithe substitutewas expected to step aside.

But it no longer mattered.

I tucked the ring and the unsigned prenuptial agreement back into the drawer.
Asher would never know that the agreement his grandmother forced him to give megranting me half his assetswas never notarized. And I had never signed it.