Based on their interaction, there was no mistaking the fact that they did care about each other. However, it was getting late, so Sally didn’t try to hold us back from leaving. What they had left unsaid would have to wait.
I got into the car and stared at the scenery outside the window. As Ashton drove, he asked, “What do you feel like eating?”
I shook my head. “I am not feeling particularly hungry.”
My meeting with Sally a few hours ago left a deep impression. She seemed as majestic as a phoenix and commanded a sense of awe from the people around her. This, together with the worldliness she possessed, was a force to be reckoned with, making her very desirable as well. A woman like her could’ve had any man she wanted, so why did she choose such an old spouse? Given their age gap, people would’ve also spread nasty rumors about her as well.
I glanced sideways at Ashton and found that his eyes were fixated on the road. The expression on his face was unreadable. Wishing to break the silence, I said, “Aunt Sally must really love Benjamin.”
If you are willing to shoulder that much of a burden for someone, surely that means you love him dearly.
Hearing this, Ashton furrowed his brows and pursed his lips as he looked at me. “What is love?”
I was stunned at the question and couldn’t answer that immediately. What is love? Come to think of it, I had no earthly idea.
It was dark by the time we reached home. Despite my exhaustion, Ashton still managed to get me to eat something. After that, I immediately went to bed.
When I awoke the next day, it was already noon. Ashton was nowhere to be seen.
As I made my way downstairs, I found out that Ashton had made arrangements for Molly to tend to me. “You’re awake, Mrs. Fuller! Mr. Fuller is currently out on business, but he left instructions asking me to take care of your needs. Are you hungry?”
I nodded. I gingerly massaged my temples, trying to soothe the dull ache that I felt around my head. I must’ve slept too much.
After a simple meal, I was informed that we had a visitor. Sally had decided to drop by.
The weather in K City was hot today, so it was no surprise that she was appropriately dressed. Sally wore a long skirt with her hair pulled up in an updo. Having noticed that I’d just finished my meal, she smiled and said, “Well, I was thinking of asking you to grab a quick bite with me if you hadn’t eaten yet! We’re going out!”
“Have you eaten yet, Aunt Sally?” I asked. Glancing over at Molly, I asked her to prepare something for Sally as well.
“It’s alright. I’ve eaten at home,” replied Sally, who waved the request aside. She then tugged at my arm gently and asked me to get dressed. “Let’s go on an outing! I’m assuming you’re not too familiar with K City, and we should fix that.”
I wanted to refuse but found it hard to do so. After all, she was merely being kind. A blatant refusal would have reflected poorly on me. In the end, I just nodded and gave in.
As I contemplated what to wear, I couldn’t help but marvel at Ashton’s fastidiousness. My closet was full of clothing for pregnant women. After rummaging about inside for a bit, I pulled out a white sundress to wear. With that sorted, Sally led me out of the villa.
Because I couldn’t drive, she brought her driver along as well.
Sally sat with me in the back seat. As we chatted, she held my hand. If I were to be perfectly honest, the gesture was too intimate for my liking and made me feel uncomfortable.
Fortunately, it didn’t take long to arrive at the shopping mall. Situated in the city center, the atmosphere was quite vibrant.
As we both exited the car, she instructed the driver to find a place to wait and dragged me into the mall. “Since you’ve just arrived, I think you’d have quite a bit of shopping to do! Besides, you’re pregnant now, and movement might be inconvenient for you soon, so let’s buy everything you need today!”
I nodded and did not say much.
Just then, I received a message from Ashton asking me where I was.
I sent him the address and obediently tagged along as she prattled on about products that she would be selecting.
After about an hour, I started to feel weary. Pausing momentarily, I blurted, “Aunt Sally, I don’t have that much more to buy. Let’s go home!”
The weather in K City was too warm for strolling about.
Sally was still staring at the baby bottle in front of her, not knowing what to choose. She heard what I say and turned around to face me. “What’s wrong? Are you tired?”
I smiled a little bashfully at her in response. “A little!” I knew that if I didn’t say anything, I’d be stuck there for another hour. The very thought made me shudder a little.
That was when Sally decided to call her driver and ask him to bring our purchases to the car. She then dragged me to a nearby cafe. Excitedly, she said, “Then, we’ll rest when we’re tired. After this, we still have to look at maternity supplies. You’re due in three months! A pregnant woman’s needs must be meticulously looked after, so the products you choose for postpartum use are important too. After all, Ashton is still a man, and some things are still best handled by ourselves.”
I nodded, but truth be told, I was exhausted already.
The cafe wasn’t crowded at all. She had picked a quiet and elegant place away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds outside. After we found a seat, she proceeded to order some coffee.
“Letty, can you tell me more about the situation between you and Ashton? You know how cold he is. I used to sneak over to J City to see him, but he’d constantly avoid me.” Sally sighed, clearly exasperated. “It wasn’t till his last trip here that he mentioned his intention to bring you over for a few days.”
I noticed the hint of bitterness in her expression as she said this. “I thought that this was going to happen every time for the rest of our lives, this game of hide and seek. I didn’t, however, expect that he’d come to me on his own and bring you with him.”
Seeing that her eyes were red with the hint of tears, I was a little flustered. “The Fullers are still your family, Aunt Sally. If you’re willing to return, I’m sure they’ll welcome you with open arms.”
She looked at me and smirked. “After so many years, I doubt father wants to see me.”
Did she mean Grandpa?
I was stunned but looked her straight in the eye. “Grandpa passed away a few months ago. Were you not aware of this, Aunt Sally?”
She was about to take a sip of coffee when she paused abruptly. With an incredulous look on her face, she asked, “He what?”
The expression she had on her face shocked me into silence. Sally lowered her head for a few moments, but when she looked at me again, I saw that her eyes were red and puffy. “W-what happened to him?”
