The news was a bolt from the blue. Rejoicing, I held on to his arms tightly. “Really? You’re amazing, Ashton. In this case, Fuller Corporation won’t be implicated in Armond’s crime, and neither will this affect Aunt Sally and Uncle Jim.
“Oh, by the way, Aunt Sally is three months pregnant. Help them out wherever you can. She also suggested for all of us to return to J City along with Uncle Charlie and Aunt Helen during the new year.”
He nodded and planted a kiss on my forehead. “Why are you beaming with joy when Aunt Sally and Jim are the ones getting married? Silly girl!”
I chuckled loudly. “I don’t know why, either. I just feel over the moon. Aunt Sally has been living all by herself over the years. Now that she’s met her Mr. Right, it’s something worth celebrating. In addition, she’s got a baby. These are all wonderful news.”
Ashton let out a thin smile and looked at me. “Do you want another child?”
His question startled me, then I parroted him, “Can we have another child?”
He smirked. “As long as you want one, we’ll have it at all cost, regardless of the method. Scarlett, it’s been a roller coaster ride for us to be where we are now with each other. Have no regrets. Whatever you want to do, just tell me, and I’ll do my very best to make it happen, okay?”
A warm, fuzzy feeling evoked in me as soon as he said that.
I thought about what Sally said and elicited his response, “Ashton, Aunt Sally suggests for us to try in vitro fertilization. You…”
He nodded and agreed immediately as if he was expecting this. “I’ll contact a well-known expert in the country and consult him about this. Just leave this to me.”
I thought he would turn down the idea, but he agreed right away, which made me quite astounded.
My phone rang that instant; it was Nora. Her voice was low, and she sounded dejected. After a long pause, she said, “Scarlett, I’m leaving for A City today. I wanted to leave quietly but decided to give you a call in the end. I’m still wearing the bracelet. About the child, I regret it so much, but there’s nothing I can do about it. I once felt that as long as I kept deceiving myself with positive thoughts, you wouldn’t be mad at me. However, I realized that I was wrong. I’m defeated by my guilty conscience. I don’t have that peace within me. So, I called to apologize. I’m sorry, and I know that my words mean nothing to you, but I must do it in order to get through this ordeal. I also want to plead on Armond’s behalf, so please have mercy on him, if possible.”
Clenching on my phone, I could not help but feel miserable for her. I was lost for words. Moments later, I asked, “Where are you right now?”
“Airport.”
I glanced over at Ashton, who simultaneously switched directions and headed to the airport.
Then, I said over the phone, “Nora, it’s all in the past. We’ll all be fine. I know what to do about Armond. Please wait for us at the airport. We’re on our way to send you off.”
I hung up while Ashton sped off.
When we arrived, I saw Nora with her suitcase. Only those who were very familiar with her could recognize her at one glance since she had a mask on.
I approached her and gave her a bear hug. “Do think of me when you’re back in A City. Take care!”
Burying her head in my neck, she nodded. “You arrived in a flash! Initially, I just wanted to bid farewell over the phone. I didn’t mean for you to come all the way to the airport.”
“I know, but we’re just nearby. So, we came. Do you have any future plans in mind?”
Her first experience in love cuts her the deepest. It will probably take a long time for her wounds to heal properly.
She shrugged her shoulders and said casually, “Not really, but I intend to go to Lightspring. My Grandpa has given me a large sum of money, so I want to open an inn over there. I’ll bring my Grandpa along, make a big yard for him to cultivate plants and crops, and accompany him every day.”
I was a bit green with envy of the life she described. “Hmm… That sounds like an ideal life. Ashton and I will visit you when we’re free.”
We chatted for a while more before it was time for her to board the flight. Before she left, I took a deep breath when I hugged her for the last time.
Life was, indeed, full of ups and downs.
It was already quite late in the evening when we stepped foot into K University. Since Ashton and I did not have a specific itinerary, we headed straight to the library.
Though it was not very crowded, our appearance seemed to have caught everyone’s attention. Ashton was a man of few words, so he quickly found a place and sat down quietly.
Meanwhile, I was searching high and low for some books on the shelves but to no avail. It was my first time here, and I was not very familiar with how the resources were arranged.
