John drove us to the city’s finest hotel. We proceeded straight into the presidential suite.
We had barely sat down when John began video calling the rest of our relatives in M Country. He fixed his phone on the table, angling it such that both Audrey and I also appeared within the frame.
Our call was picked up almost instantly.
The moment Zachary and Cameron flickered into view, their eyes almost immediately glimmered with tears. They seemed so overcome with emotion that they were unable to speak for a while.
Louis had since retired and was in high spirits. He thus spoke first, nodding contentedly, “We are happy to see that you’re doing well.”
I felt rather embarrassed in the face of these supposedly dear family members that I had absolutely no recollection of. They had evidently missed me, however, and I was moved by their affection. After approximately half an hour of conversation that flowed naturally after a while, we ended the call as Audrey was complaining of sleepiness.
John left his phone lying on the table and immediately picked Audrey up, carrying her into the room. As John delicately held Audrey in one arm, he patted her gently on the back with the other. It was the model image of fatherliness.
John ensured that Audrey was tucked into bed and turned off the lights before heading back into the living room.
“Can you drive?” John asked as he took a seat beside me. He’d picked his phone up and was jabbing at it.
“I don’t know,” I admitted, shaking my head. After I’d regained consciousness, Marcus had been the one sending me everywhere. Afterward, Ashton too had arranged for a chauffeur for me. I’d thus not had the chance yet to even come into contact with a steering wheel. “I think I can try, though. Why don’t you buy me a car?” I ventured.
John ignored my playful request. “That means you can’t drive, then. You’ll head downstairs on your own later. The chauffeur and the car are already waiting for you at the entrance of the hotel. I’ll stay to accompany Audrey, so I won’t be seeing you off.”
“How did you know I wanted to leave?” I gaped at John in astonishment.
Without batting an eyelid, John replied smoothly, “I know you far better than you think. Go back and do what you have to do. Once you’ve wrapped up the loose ends, there won’t be a need to look back and regret anything. Leave Ashton’s kidnapping plans to me. I’m not fond of that fellow, but since you’re set on a family reunion, I’ll find a way to fulfill your wish. I’ll use him as a servant at the most.”
I could not help but find John’s stoicism endearing. I was clearly very important to him that he was willing to put aside his immense hatred for Ashton to please me. At that moment, I knew then the full weight of what Scarlett meant to John.
It was past five in the evening when I exited the hotel. A gray Mercedes-Benz was the only car parked out in front. I approached it cautiously. As I went near, I could hear the sound of the doors unlock. Thus, I immediately opened the car door and slid into the passenger seat.
I was stunned to see that the chauffeur was a woman.
“Pleased to meet you, Ms. Stovall. I’m Millie. You have previously hired me to protect you and your children. After what happened, Mr. Stovall kept me in his service to await your return. You can ask me anything you like. There’s no need to feel shy,” she chirped.
Millie’s straightforward explanation and heartiness comforted me. I immediately took a liking to her frank manner.
“I’ll leave my safety in your capable hands then,” I replied her warmly. Fastening my seatbelt, I instructed, “To the Fullers’.”
Within the next second, Millie had revved the engines, and the car hurtled forward.
We arrived at the Fullers’ villa in less than twenty minutes.
“We’re here,” Millie said matter-of-factly as she turned off the engine.
I took a deep breath. It was a while before I felt confident enough to face what lay ahead of me. I unbuckled the seatbelt rather hesitantly.
“Do you need me to go in with you?” Millie asked.
“There’s no need,” I asserted. “Ashton will be alarmed if I bring someone with me. Go back and look after Audrey.”
I sounded more self-possessed than I was. Deep inside, I was trembling. I stepped out of the car and took a breath of fresh air. Millie’s driving hadn’t helped matters. The breakneck speed at which we’d flown through the streets had only served to increase the level of adrenaline in me. Consequently, my heart was still pumping madly.
I straightened myself out, then walked up to the entrance of the villa. As I crossed the threshold, however, I ran right into Ashton.
“Ms. Stovall?” Joseph, who was following behind, exclaimed in amazement.
Gregory had been dragging his feet listlessly beside Joseph. When he heard Joseph’s yelp, he immediately perked up and dashed over to me.
“Mommy! I thought you didn’t want me anymore. I want you to be my mommy forever! Don’t leave me behind,” Gregory bawled, clinging desolately to my leg.
