I encouraged it when kids had ambition and motivation. However, they could also take a breather under my roof.
Summer flashed a half-smile. “Mom, before completing the Wenville project, Mr. Cress and I already started on the club affairs, such as site approval, sale and purchase of properties, and renovations. They are all settled. After the quotations are approved, the company will allocate the final sum of capital, and we can prepare for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.”
Who would have known that my daughter would favor a career in business and work tirelessly toward it? I might have been a little too narrow-minded before this and hadn’t taken her seriously.
I chuckled ruefully and decided not to backseat her, leaving to give them some space. “You’re adults, so I won’t comment much. Go to bed soon. Don’t overwork yourselves.”
“I know, Mom. I’ll head up shortly,” Summer assured me.
Humming in approval with a nod, I led Tobias upstairs. “Come on, Tobias. I’ll show you your room. Are you afraid to sleep alone? If you are, leave a light on tonight, okay?”
“I’m not afraid.” He might be reserved, but he was a self-sufficient kid for his age.
I glanced back over my shoulder while climbing up the stairs to see that Summer and Jared had already returned to their frenzy working state. They looked like they were fighting on the battlefield instead of merely performing analysis.
Perhaps to Summer, it was indeed a battle. Her streak of independence was way ahead of the curve, and she was soaring to greater heights.
If Macy were able to see her, she would be proud.
After Ashton turned off the lights and got into bed, I instinctively curled up to him.
“Marcus said he would only consent to the treatment if I married him.”
“His illness is caused by radiation. Nicolas wanted to use it on me back then, but he secretly replaced me with Nathaniel’s help.”
Although Ashton didn’t ask about my relationship with Marcus, it didn’t mean he wasn’t curious. He was only refraining from asking to avoid putting more pressure on me.
“Immature,” he growled in the dark. Evidently, he was miffed.
Tightening my arms around him, I shifted into a more comfortable position. “I said the same thing to him, but what could I do? Patients are usually irrational.”
Ashton cradled my cheek in his big palm, his thumb stroking it. “Did he anger you?”
“No,” I said lightly. “Only you could elicit such a response from me. If you don’t anger me, then all is well.”
Suddenly, he tittered as he recalled an old memory of the distant past. “I was young and childish back then to bully you and make you angry. Sometimes I couldn’t even understand myself, but now my goal is crystal clear. I only want you to be happy and never cry again.”
I let out a long, contented sigh, my brain foggy with sleepiness. The sentimental words slid off me as I replied mindlessly, “You’re such a sweet-talker. It’s unlike you.”
I dimly registered Ashton leaning in closer, murmuring into my ear in a low voice, “We have too little time together as it is. If I don’t say it at least twice or thrice a day, I wouldn’t be able to make up for the lost time.”
I could feel his breath on my ear and neck. That night, I fell into a deep slumber.
I woke up at six in the morning, Marcus’ illness still lingering in the back of my mind.
Remembering that I hadn’t made the kids breakfast in a while, I padded to the kitchen and started preparing with Mrs. Eriksen, including Marcus and Camelia’s portion to be brought to the hospital later.
Although parenteral nutrition could help sustain one’s life, the damage to the body would still be inevitable if solid food was not consumed. The housekeeper’s cooking might not be to Marcus’ taste, but he would never outright reject food specially prepared by yours truly.
While the chicken soup was simmering, Tobias had come downstairs dressed impeccably, standing guardedly by the kitchen door and looking to lend a helping hand. “Ms. Stovall, can I help?”
“Why didn’t you sleep in a little more?” I yawned widely and led him out to the living room. “Take a seat here. When the food’s done, we’ll have breakfast together before heading to the hospital to visit your dad. Sounds good?”
“Yes,” he answered obediently and settled on the couch.
