After we arrived at M Country from K City, we took a private jet and landed on the coastline of international waters. The propellers spun furiously, causing turbulent ripples on the water surface. A foreboding shadow eclipsed our hearts as we landed on the mysterious and dangerous island.
A castle-like frontage came into sight the moment we got off the jet. Greeneries covered the places where seawater could not reach the structure. A pebble-paved path parted the grass, leading all the way up to the top of the hill. Walking through the island of tropical plants felt as if we were meandering through a tropical rain forest, save for the slimy swamps.
The sequestered island made it a good hiding place for Nicolas for the past twenty years.
I busied myself with observing the surroundings, failing to notice the accessorial rock on the path. If Ashton had not caught me by the waist in time, I would have tripped and fell.
“Thanks,” I said, trying to fake a smile to calm myself down.
Being in a foreign environment was disconcerting.
“Be careful,” Ashton chided, holding my hand tight. “Don’t be nervous. The Halls are only interested in the kids. They don’t care who we are, so relax and treat this as a vacation.”
His words indeed rang true, but I could not help but recall Nicolas’ threatening words when he said he would make Ashton disappear from the surface of the earth the first time we confronted him.
Although I should have assured Ashton, I still felt I needed to caution him a little. “This island is on international waters. It does not fall under the jurisdiction of any country. Who knows what he’s gonna do. It’s better we stay wary.”
At my statement, Ashton’s footsteps fell short, and his piercing gaze landed on my face. “Remember, I’m your husband. I’ll protect you no matter what. Promise me you’ll trust me no matter what happens.”
My brows stitched together as I reciprocated his gaze. If Nicolas were a loving parent like Cameron, I could well let Ashton face him up on his own, but that was not the case. Nicolas and his wife did not love Ashton.
Thoughts raced through my mind, and I let go of his hand, taking a step back to look at him sternly, right into his eyes. “Since you married into the Stovall family, you’re now one of us. I will do everything I can to make sure you’re safe.”
I might have acted too dramatically, but I meant every word I said.
The Hall family did not take Ashton seriously, but they could not treat me the same way. They could not ignore the Moore and the Stovall family. I needed to use my family background in our favor.
A resigned smile broke out on my husband’s face as he looked at me, trying to maintain a serious expression. He thought I was trying to be funny, but I was not playing around at that moment. I went over and held him by his arm. “I know you’re always rational, but your loved ones are at stake here. It’s difficult to be sure that you’ll be able to keep your cool, so leave everything to me. All you need to do is to keep quiet.”
Before Ashton could disagree with anything I said, I pulled him toward the huge door.
“Mr. and Mrs. Fuller.”
A neat line of immaculately dressed servants greeted us the moment they saw us. Seeing them all dressed in black and white, I could not help but feel as if I had just time-traveled back to the past century.
I stole a quick glance of Ashton and was pleasantly surprised to see him calm and composed. We walked down the spacious hallway before we arrived at the hall.
The interior decor of the hall echoed the outer appearance of the castle. It was lavishly furnished, and every detail of the hall exuded elegance and class.
Over on the leather couch, the owners of the castle sat unperturbed as we walked in. That was the first time I ever saw Ashton’s mother, Simone.
She sat beside Nicolas, wearing a faint smile on her face as if she was waiting for a photograph to be taken. Her dark hair flowed smoothly down her fair shoulders as she watched us approach.
