Divorced At Eighteen

Chapter 05

WHEN MINAH SLOWLY opened her eyes, an overwhelming sense of loneliness washed over her.

It was painfully clear—her parents were gone, truly gone. It was the most heartbreaking reality of all.

Even though she was back in their home, it didn’t feel the same. The joy that once filled it was nowhere to be found. She never imagined that at the age of twenty-three, she would become an orphan.

No matter how much she prayed to God to turn back time—just enough to relive those moments when her parents were still alive—it was impossible. If she could, she would have stayed with them when they returned to Townsville after her college graduation.

Her eyes were swollen, and tears still streamed down her cheeks. She closed her eyes again, as if that could dull the pain.

Even eating felt like a chore. A few bites were enough to make her feel full.

Instead of staying in her room, Minah chose to go to her parents' bedroom. She lay on their bed, clutching one of their pillows tightly.

She hadn't been there long when a housemaid came looking for her.

"Lady Minah," the maid addressed her politely.

“Hmm?” Minah replied without bothering to look up.

"Would you like us to keep the Christmas decorations up, or should we take them down? I was instructed to ask."

“Don’t remove anything,” Minah said firmly.

“As you wish, ma’am,” the maid replied, bowing slightly before leaving the room.

Even though her heart felt shattered into pieces, she couldn’t bear to take down the decorations her parents had painstakingly put up. She decided they could stay until January.

Her parents had clearly prepared for Christmas, hoping they’d celebrate it together. But she had been stubborn, refusing to return to Townsville to settle down.

Now, they were together for the holidays—but not in the way she had wanted.

Now that her parents were gone, what was the point of staying in a place filled only with heartache? How many more times could her heart break here?

Townsville had given her many happy memories, but the overwhelming sorrow overshadowed them all.

“Lady Minah, you need to eat properly,” James said as he entered the room where Minah lay on her parents' bed.

She hadn’t left the room since she arrived.

“I feel full, James,” she said softly.

“The maids said you’ve barely eaten. Your parents wouldn’t want you to starve yourself, Lady Minah.”

Minah blinked rapidly, fighting the fresh wave of tears that threatened to spill.

“I’m fine, James,” she said weakly. “Are all the preparations for my parents’ viewing in place?”

James nodded. “We’re just waiting for the release of their death certificates, and everything will be ready.” He clasped his hands tightly together. “Lady Minah, you are all that remains of your parents. Especially your father. Everyone—your staff—has no one to rely on now but you. I beg you, please take care of yourself and stay strong. I know what you’re going through isn’t easy, but many people depend on you now.”

Minah’s thoughts turned to her parents' business, now left in her care.

“Once your parents are laid to rest, we’ll need to discuss their businesses. Please don’t disregard them, Lady Minah.”

In an instant, the weight of her parents’ responsibilities fell squarely on her shoulders.

At her age, she was now tasked with carrying the burden of their enterprises.

When she was younger, her parents often brought her along to their business dealings.

If the time came, she wouldn’t be completely clueless—her degree was in business after all. She’d made sure to prepare herself so she wouldn’t falter when it came to managing a company.

She wasn’t complaining; she knew James wouldn’t abandon her. But deep down, she couldn’t shake the feeling of unpreparedness.

Was she really ready for all this?

It felt as though Minah had been doused with cold water.

Reality hit her hard.

If she didn’t take action, what would happen to the workers relying on her family’s business? What about the household staff at her parents’ home? And the house she grew up in—would that be lost too if the business were neglected?

Feeling weak, she sat up from lying down. James immediately moved to assist her.

Once she was seated and leaning against the headboard, James opened the mini-fridge and retrieved a bottle of water.

“Drink this, Lady Minah. At least have some water,” he urged.

Without a word, she took it. Truthfully, drinking water was much easier than forcing herself to eat.

“I’ll have them prepare something for you to eat, Lady Minah. How about Chicken Parmigiana?”

As soon as James mentioned the dish, her eyes began to sting with fresh tears.

“Please,” she whispered.

It was her favorite request to her mother back then. After all, it was easy to cook.

James quickly left to make the arrangements, likely to avoid her changing her mind.

Once alone again, Minah couldn’t stop herself from crying.

As the viewing for her parents drew nearer, it felt as though her heart was being shattered over and over.

“Lady Minah, you have a visitor,” one of the maids announced respectfully as she entered the room.

“I’m not in the mood to see anyone right now,” Minah replied, burying her face in the pillow she was hugging.

The maid left without another word.

For now, Minah just couldn’t manage it.

But soon, when the time came for her to face the people attending her parents’ viewing, even if only for the three hours it would last, she had no choice but to steel herself for that day.

Even though she wanted her parents to be cremated, she would honor their wishes—to be laid to rest together in a cemetery.

The sound of the door opening and closing caught her attention again, signaling that someone had entered the room.

She squeezed her eyes shut tightly. All she wanted was to be left alone.

“Please, I don’t want to see anyone right now. Lock the door, and let me be. I hope you can respect that,” she pleaded softly.

When there was no response, Minah reluctantly opened her eyes and glanced over.

Instead of seeing one of the maids, she found Asher approaching her.

She froze at the sight of him. Rather than feeling joy at his presence, she felt the opposite. Her heart burned with anger.

“And what are you doing here?” she snapped, forcing herself to sit up so she could face him directly.

While she looked as though the weight of the world had crushed her, Asher Moore appeared fresh and unaffected. She didn’t appreciate that—not one bit.

“Didn’t I tell you I never want to see your face again? How dare you come here,” she hissed.

“You didn’t eat lunch,” he replied calmly.

“So? It’s none of your business if I starve to death.” She pointed to the door. “Get out.”

Asher, however, showed no signs of complying.

“Are you deaf?”

For reasons unknown, she couldn’t stand his presence. After everything he had done to her?

“You’re really not leaving?”

Ignoring her words, Asher picked up a small round table and placed it beside her bed.

“What are you doing?”

“You need to eat,” he finally said.

Minah’s attention shifted to the door when she heard a knock.

“Come in,” Asher called out confidently.

Not long after, maids entered the room one by one, carrying trays of food.

“I had your favorites prepared,” Asher said.

But no matter how delicious the aroma or how appetizing the dishes looked, Minah couldn’t bring herself to feel hungry. She just stared at the food.

She turned her attention back to Asher when he pulled over a chair, placed it by the table, and sat down.

“I’m not leaving this room until you eat. Like it or not, I’m staying here,” he declared.

Was Asher Moore challenging her?

Her pretty face soured at his words. “You can’t be serious.”

“What if I am?” he countered.

What kind of madness was this? What was Asher even talking about?