CHAPTER 177: DARE TO LOVE ME A promise Part 1 

“You’re on every gossip site in Europe,” Tino said, showing me his phone. “We didn’t know how the hell Guapísimo got to Monaco. Well, here’s the answer.” 

I took the phone and saw all the photos with their convenient angles. In each one, it looked like I’d been making out with Lyon. I sighed and plopped down heavily on the bed. I’d screwed up this time. Now everything had come to light about his unexpected arrival, and yes, I’d made a mess of things. Getting my stores back had gotten out of hand. 

“It all seemed so easy,” I finished explaining what had happened in the conversation with Will, 

my mind still a jumbled mess. 

“I know, right? It seemed like a game to everyone,” Tino lamented. 

“We have to fix this, Ash. In the end, you did what you had to do to get your work back- 

something you’ve invested time and effort in. I wouldn’t hesitate to do it either, even if Nick 

seemed upset,” my cousin encouraged me. 

“I know this looks bad and that he doubted you, which I can understand, you know? But you 

haven’t cheated on him or traded him in for Lyon, even though he’s hot,” Tino said, fixing the 

hair that fell over his forehead. Aly and I both turned to look at him. 

“What? That boy is a temptation, and you’ve managed to dodge him like a champ. We’ve 

witnessed you not touching a hair on his head with any ulterior motives–nothing more than 

what the moment required.” Tino took my hands. “We know he must be going crazy, but in the 

end, he has to understand that you couldn’t tell him everything because of the circumstances 

with the flight and all that, but that it wasn’t your intention to hide it from him, honey.” 

I exhaled and looked over the documents, a bitter taste in my mouth. 

I went to the bathroom to freshen up and clear my head. His doubts, his look, his anger. I 

shook my head. I didn’t want to lose the man I loved over something like this. 

We finished getting ready to go back to the UK. 

“I’ve made a decision,” I told them when we were ready to leave the room. 

“We figured,” Alaia said, approaching me. 

“And we’re with you.” Tino cupped my face. “I’ll take care of everything while you’re gone.” 

“And I’m going to help him. I’m up to speed on everything.” Alaia and Tino exchanged a look. 

“I’m here too,” Loli said, coming closer with the kids. 

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+8 Point 

CHAPTER 177: DARE TO LOVE M… 

“Aww, I love you guys so much!” I exclaimed excitedly, pulling them into a hug. “I’ll be in the UK early on day zero, with or without love,” I added, feeling a painful throb in my chest. 

“Don’t even say that, girl. My heart will break too if Guapísimo doesn’t forgive us,” Tino said, clutching his chest dramatically. 

We got in the car, and I booked a ticket to Los Angeles on my phone–the one that had been in my purse. I felt a pang of something when I saw his calls and messages. 

At the airport, we said goodbye. I kissed the sleepy little ones and received comforting hugs 

from Aly, Loli, and Tino. 

“Go get him, gorgeous,” Tino said, giving me two more kisses. I watched them leave as I 

looked for my departure gate. 

I boarded the plane and, once in my seat, closed my eyes. The thoughts tormented me. He couldn’t end our relationship, not over this, not without giving me a chance to explain. Without realizing it, exhaustion claimed me, and I fell asleep, waking up sporadically. 

I opened my eyes and noticed it was already dawn. I saw that we were‘ almost at our 

destination. I stretched. What a trip. 

The flight landed, and because of the time, I had time to go to Alaia’s house to change and get ready. My hair was a mess, and I couldn’t let Will see me like this, not if I wanted him back. 

I finished getting ready. The empty house and the lack of noise felt strange. We always heard the kids livening it up with their shouts, laughter, and running around. Only Sylvia came to open the door and give me a copy of the keys. 

I checked my military green dress. It fit my curves perfectly and showed a bit of cleavage. If I wanted him to listen to me, I had to look killer. I kept my makeup simple and my hair loose. I grabbed one of my purses and ordered a car. I left my luggage ready–I had to go back to the UK today, with or without love. I closed my eyes, wishing for the former. 

I was a nervous wreck on the way to the Garnett building. My God, yesterday and today I’d been more nervous than I had been in my entire life. Not even the collections have made me 

feel this way in recent years. 

“We’ve arrived, Miss,” the driver said, pulling me out of my thoughts. I couldn’t look back and regret my decisions. In the end, I’d made them know what I was doing, although I’d never 

intended to hurt the man I loved. 

I got out of the car and walked to the entrance, letting out a deep breath to calm the tightness in my chest. 

2/3 

+8 Points 

CHAPTER 177: DARE TO LOVE M… 

I took the elevator and remembered the day I’d come to make peace with Will. After not 

wanting him near me when he was Asher, I’d invited him out, and we’d ended up at that 

a 

concert. I smiled, treasuring every memory I had of him. 

The doors opened, and I walked toward his office. His secretary was at her desk, phone 

pressed to her ear, talking to someone. 

“Good morning,” I greeted her. 

“Good morning,” she said, looking at me. 

“I’d like to speak to William,” I said. The girl’s eyebrows rose slightly. 

“Sir, a young lady wishes to speak with you,” she said into the phone. My stomach churned. 

She was talking to him. 

“Your name?” she asked me. 

“Ashley Russell,” I said. She repeated the name and fell silent. 

“Sir?” she asked after a few seconds, during which Will hadn’t said anything. 

It made me think he wasn’t going to see me. No, I hadn’t taken a sixteen–hour flight to be 

turned away. So I took a deep breath and headed for the door, the girl calling after me to stop. I 

entered the office, and there he was, standing behind his desk, phone still in his hand. 

“Sir, I tried to stop her,” his secretary said from behind me. 

“It’s fine,” he told the girl and ended the call. I heard her close the door behind me. 

William crossed his arms in silence and looked me up and down. 

I swallowed the knot of emotions as I saw his serious expression. His hard features had me 

turned on. He could bend me over his knee right now for my antics… Come on, Ash, focus.