Rose believed me because she was a guileless person. Stirring her chocolate milk, she seemed to be in a trance as she said to herself, “Letty, your friend and his wife looked enviably sweet! If only Nick and I met each other earlier, then we might be as sweet as them.”
Feeling a little unsettled, I put my phone back into my pocket and replied nonchalantly, “Well, you and Nick have a blissful marriage too. I envy you because you’re already pregnant a few days after your wedding.”
Rose was startled upon hearing that and immediately changed the topic.
As my mind was occupied with Jackson, I didn’t dwell on the conversation. After sitting for a while, I excused myself to go home.
Once I got home, I kept staring at the checkmark and didn’t even realize it when Ashton returned. When I felt someone putting a blanket over my shoulders, I turned around and saw that he was bending over behind me. It turned out that he had been observing me for quite some time.
“You’re back.” I turned off my phone screen and put it back into my pocket carefully.
However, it was too late because Ashton had seen what I was trying to hide. After sitting down, he fiddled with my hand and asked casually, “Did you meet Jackson?”
It appeared that he wasn’t surprised to know that Jackson had returned.
“You knew that Jackson has returned?” I asked nervously, knitting my brows.
Ashton looked up at me gently and heaved a long sigh. Then, he caressed my forehead and replied casually, “I heard about it not long ago. However, you guys have met even before I could figure out the best way to tell you.”
I was a little upset. “You should’ve told me earlier.”
If I had known it beforehand, I wouldn’t be that befuddled in front of Jackson.
I was frustrated with myself, for I didn’t have the courage to ask for his forgiveness. Similarly, I hesitated for several hours but still hadn’t sent my friend request to him.
Deep down, I knew that I couldn’t blame Ashton for my misery. Collapsing onto the couch, I then slid to the floor and kneeled on the mat. The next moment, I sprang upon the table and rested my head on it, screaming, “Ah! I’m useless!”
Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. How could Jackson be so heartless? We’ve been friends for more than twenty years, yet he ditched me just like that.
Ashton didn’t comfort me with words but merely caressed my back slowly, giving me enough time to vent my frustrations and calm myself down.
Exhausted from all the crying, I sat on the floor and fell into a trance. After a while, Ashton stood up and carried me into the bedroom.
After tucking me in, he turned around and was about to take a shower when I instinctively grabbed his wrist. I was reluctant to see him leave.
“Ashton, not only has Macy passed away, but Jackson has also ditched me. Did they leave me because I don’t deserve them?”
Ashton frowned after hearing that. He sat on the bed beside me and comforted me in a deep voice, “Macy’s death was an accident. No one wanted it to happen. As for Jackson, he’s bound to marry someone else and have kids sooner or later. Besides, you’ve nothing to do with the change in his personality. So don’t punish yourself for their misfortune.”
After pausing for a while, he held my hand tightly and added with a smile, “Besides, I’ve always been here for you, right?”
Unable to shake off the uneasiness I felt, I couldn’t help but knit my brows.
It wasn’t easy for two people to stay together. However, even my friendship with Jackson, which lasted for decades, ended just like that. Hence, even though I had been with Ashton for a long time, I couldn’t help but wonder if we could withstand the test of time.
