He wrapped his arms around me and trapped me in an embrace. Eyebrows raised, he asked, “You’re falling asleep just like that?”
I was becoming really annoyed by his antics. I turned to face him and said, “My arms are sore. Why don’t you go settle it yourself in the bathroom?” Seriously, how could you expect anyone to do it every day? Especially a pregnant woman.
His eyes darkened as he grinned from ear to ear, “It’s an honor to let you know how tough I am.”
Me? You call this tough?
I ignored him, shut my eyes, and begged for sleep to come.
His voice softened. “Come on, don’t sleep yet. You don’t like it wet, right? Help me dry up. Then, we can sleep.”
I grimaced. “Do it yourself.”
Ashton rested his chin on my shoulder, but his hands stayed put. “There are some things that couples do together.”
Fine. I won’t be getting any sleep anyway if this goes on.
I broke off from his embrace, sat up, picked up the towel he had thrown aside a moment ago, knelt on the bed, and began to wipe his hair.
His upper body was still wet, with water droplets trickling down. I pursed my lips. Doesn’t he know he should dry himself before coming to bed?
“You’re getting water on the bed!” I exclaimed in annoyance, eyes on the damp patch under him. “The next time you do something like this, you’re not sleeping here.”
He chuckled. “Fine. Next time you should help me dry up in the bathroom.”
I pressed my lips together, opting to ignore him.
After I was finished with him, I laid down to sleep. I was unsure what he was up to, but he went out shortly and came back with several ointments.
I was tired, and had no intention to ask.
His cell phone began to ring in that arrogant tone again. He answered in a chilly voice, “Rebecca, what is it?”
I did not expect him to answer his phone hands-free, playing the call on loudspeaker. On the other end, Rebecca spoke in a low voice, “Ash, come stay with me, please? I can’t stand being alone.”
Hasn’t she gone back to Pear Garden with Cameron? Why is she still broadcasting her loneliness here?
“Call Joe, will you? I have to give Scarlett a massage later. She’s pregnant. Her calves and feet have gotten swollen, so she needs to be massaged every day.”
He said it very calmly and soon hung up the phone, not waiting for Rebecca to say more.
I glowered at him. “What do you mean my feet have gotten swollen? I’m barely four months along. Why do you say that?”
He smiled faintly, already placing my thigh on his. Next, he began applying essential oils gently on my skin. “Alright, you’re not swollen. You’re just fat!”
I really wanted to punch him.
My temper would rise if I kept this up.
So, I opted to close my eyes and went to sleep, ignoring the idiot.
I had been lethargic recently. I could sleep all day long and still be able to sleep through the night.
I did not know when exactly Ashton fell asleep, but he was no longer in the room by the time I woke up. I knew he would be busy these days, so I did not give it much thought.
I washed up, went downstairs, grabbed something simple to eat, and then left the house.
I was surprised that Cameron and Zachary wanted to meet me, but I knew it would come to this eventually. We had arranged to meet in a coffee shop in the city center.
When I entered the shop, Zachary was gazing at Cameron affectionately as he put a fine gold-rimmed watch on her wrist.
I could tell they were very much in love.
“It looks like I’m late,” I walked to the table and announced my presence with a smile on my face.
When Cameron saw me, she kindly led me to the seat next to her. “What would you like to drink?” she offered.
I put up a faint smile, “Anything, really.”
“I hear their Blue Mountain coffee is great. Care to try one?” Cameron suggested. It would not feel right to refuse, so I nodded, “Thank you!”
After we placed our orders, Zachary’s gloomy eyes fell on me. He sighed, “Ms. Stovall, you certainly look like Cam in her prime.”
For a moment, I did not know how to respond to that, so I got straight to the point, “Is there something you’d like to discuss with me?”
Since I brought it up, Cameron smiled too and said, “My dear, I haven’t even asked how you’ve been.”
Zachary, on the other hand, spoke up, “It’s like this. You know Cam and I liked you very much from the first time we saw you. We may have gotten our daughter back, but fate had already bound us together. If you don’t mind, Ms. Stovall, we’d like to have you join our family.”
I knitted my brows. I had a hunch that one would not simply seek out someone else without having an agenda. Thus, I replied, “Meeting you two has been a great blessing. Please, do tell.”
Cameron’s expression shifted, and it was not in a good way. She paused before saying, “Ms. Stovall, it should be clear to you what kind of relationship there is between Rebecca and Mr. Fuller, am I right?
Is she here to speak on behalf of her daughter?
I grinned and nodded casually, “Yes. Crystal clear, in fact. You want to persuade me to divorce Ashton so that your daughter can marry the one she likes, am I right?”
The two seemed awkward right then, but they were people who practiced self-restraint. Cameron looked a little guilty. “I can understand how you feel, Ms. Stovall. Zachary and I had not considered this thoroughly, but please think of this as a mother’s fondness for her daughter.”
I nodded. I felt indifferent, actually. “Ashton and I are husband and wife in the eyes of the law, no matter how you put it. It’s certainly inconsiderate of you to try to talk me into getting a divorce. Besides, even if I were willing to let Ms. Larson take my place, Ashton would have to agree to that as well. Furthermore, I’m three months pregnant. As parents yourselves, what choice do you think I should make for my child?”
