Chapter 1649 Sending Jared Away 2
“All right,” Summer answered gratefully. “Thanks, Mommy.”
“Silly girl.” I ruffled her hair like I used to do with Audrey. Right then, it seemed like we were intimate without the usual courtesy and distance.
After comforting Summer, I got up and went upstairs.
Before entering my room, something prompted me to turn at my shoulder. I saw a child’s shirt disappearing behind a tall vase in the corner.
It was only a tiny part, but I immediately knew who it was.
Pretending not to see anything, I pushed the doorknob down and entered the room.
The living room was empty, and I heard the sound of flowing water coming from the bathroom. I strode over and leaned on the wall nonchalantly. Raising my voice to make sure he could hear it, I said, “Shaun is too curious. I think he was observing our discussion with Quince and the others.”
Perhaps it was Audrey who told him to go outside, but I wasn’t sure about that.
“Go on,” Ashton’s deep voice prompted.
I pursed my lips and decided to ask what was niggling on my mind. “Why did you send Jared away?”
After so many years, people had changed. I still remembered that I was the one who couldn’t accept Jared, but Ashton insisted that his friend would turn over a new leaf.
Why did he change his mind all of a sudden?
Right after I asked him that, the door was pushed open with a click. Ashton walked out with a towel wrapped around his waist. He wiped his hair dry as he strode toward the living room. “There’s no more reason for him to stay.”
He then sat on the couch.
“But Summer is used to his presence,” I said, going over to him. Placing my palms on the back of the sofa, I told him about Summer’s thoughts.
At my words, Ashton froze briefly before turning to face me. He flashed an indulgent smile. “Even so, can’t you see what the problem is, Honey?”
I frowned in confusion. “What is the problem?”
In fact, Jared had spent more time with Summer than us. It had been proven that he meant well. There was no harm in letting him stay since Summer liked him.
“Come here.” Ashton patted the empty space beside him and gestured for me to go over to him.
I scurried over as told and gazed at him earnestly. “Can you say it now?”
Ashton gave me a smile as he placed his palms on my shoulders, forcing me to turn around. His hands roamed all over my tensed muscles.
As an aching sensation flared up on my back, I heaved a sigh of relief subconsciously. After spending the whole day at the hospital, I didn’t get enough rest. I had forgotten about that, but it didn’t slip Ashton’s mind.
“It’s easy,” Ashton answered as he massaged my shoulders in a skilled manner. Slowly, he revealed, “Never mind if Summer is used to Jared’s company. Didn’t you hear how they lied to us about getting in touch with someone like Quince?”
“Yes.” I nodded reluctantly, for Ashton was right. “I did miss that.”
People who read the international news would know how dangerous Quince was. Summer was inexperienced, and this wasn’t Jared’s forte, so they might’ve exposed their weaknesses to Quince without knowing it. If Quince and his men used that to blackmail them, they’d die a horrible death.
Ashton wanted to make an example out of Jared to teach Summer a lesson. He meant well, but his approach was too hard.
Summer has accepted Jared as her teacher since young. If we don’t give him a chance and send him away, ignoring her wishes, I’m afraid Summer will just stay away from us.
“Why don’t we give him a stern warning?” I suggested. “Let’s not be this harsh. Besides, I don’t think Jared will leave just like that.”
As a woman, I was in the opinion that when a man had failed the woman who loved him dearly and gave him a child, he should spend the rest of his life with the child to make up for his mistake.
