He gave her a cold stare. “Joe will be responsible for taking care of you. Please refrain from coming here unless there’s something critical.”
Rebecca’s face paled even further. “Okay!” There was a slight tremble in the tone of her voice as she spoke. She nodded her head as she tried to conceal the hurt gleaming in her eyes.
“It’s late now. Scarlett and I have matters to attend to later. You should head back first,” Ashton continued emotionlessly, unmoved by Rebecca’s wounded expression.
It was clearly an order to leave. Both Rebecca and I could decipher the strict tone of his voice.
“Okay.” There was a trace of bitterness that flickered in her longing gaze. She left after that.
I pursed my lips as I watched her figure leave the villa. It was as if I could glimpse a hint of my past self in her lonely back. “Ashton, do you treat all women so heartlessly?”
“I won’t treat you that way.” Ashton turned to me. His dark gaze resembled the night sky.
I decided not to tease him any further. “Why does Rebecca need your help to visit Cameron?” I asked curiously.
What happened between the two of them?
“Have you ever thought of looking for your biological parents?” Ashton asked me as his stare clouded over.
“Why did you change the topic so quickly?” For a moment, I was left speechless in shock.
“Answer my question,” Ashton’s brows pinched together.
“I’d be lying if I say no. However, it has been so many years. I wouldn’t know how to react if I ever meet them again. I suppose we wouldn’t have the chance to reunite. Besides, I believe they had no plans to reunite with me when they abandoned me back then. So, quite frankly, I no longer want to look for them anymore,” I said after a fleeting thought.
“Why did you ask me about that?” I asked as I met his strange gaze.
He shook his head. “Go upstairs and change. We’ll head out in a while!”
I couldn’t help but scowl when I recalled the message Nick sent me: Are we really meeting Cameron for a meal?
Ashton merely nodded—an indication that I should change my clothes.
At first, I wanted to deny his request. But on second thought, I decided to go along with him.
After freshening up in the bathroom, I put on a fresh outfit and dressed my face in a layer of light makeup. When I descended the stairs, Ashton had already packed Summer’s diapers and milk bottles.
“Ashton, did you change Summer’s diapers?” I asked casually as I saw his smooth and practiced movements.
He nodded in reply and moved the milk bottles into Summer’s stroller. “Let’s go,” Ashton called out.
I couldn’t help but feel useless when Ashton swiftly prepared Summer’s things before we headed out.
After pushing the stroller out of the villa, Ashton headed to the garage. While Ashton started the car, I waited patiently for him in the yard as I braced the stroller in one hand.
The sight of a kneeling woman outside the yard gate left me stupefied. Realization dawned upon me after a few moments. Rebecca hasn’t left the villa!
At the same time, Ashton noticed Rebecca as he drove over. Promptly, a deep frown graced his face.
Yet, he did not comment on Rebecca’s presence. “Let’s go,” Ashton called out to me as he carried Summer onto the car.
When Rebecca heard the commotion, she rose to her feet from the villa steps and dashed in. Hurriedly, she stood in front of the car’s path to block its way.
“Ash, are you going to meet my mother? Bring me along!” Rebecca pleaded when she saw Ashton.
“Joe will pick you up later,” Ashton replied in displeasure.
At Ashton’s rejection, Rebecca’s eyes reddened with sorrow. “It’s freezing! Ash, please! I’m begging you to bring me along!”
“Come in!” I said in annoyance, “Ms. Larson, you do not have to resort to such wretched measures to gain our pity.”
Rebecca’s face turned pale when she heard my comment. Yet, she still shifted her pitiful gaze towards Ashton.
Ashton’s mood turned foul at the sight of her pleading stare. “There’s no more space in the car! Wait for Joe!” he snarled brusquely and started the car. Immediately, he drove around her and sped out of the villa.
I peered at Rebecca’s motionless figure from the rearview mirror before turning to Ashton. “Could you really bear to treat her that way?”
“Do you want me to take pity on her?” Ashton rebuked.
“Focus on the road!” Ashton’s mercy towards her made no difference to me.
During the ride, Summer behaved very obediently. The reason for her well-behaved mannerisms must be due to her love for car rides. She was always very excited when she was in the car. Occasionally, she’d reached her hands out to grasp at empty air.
Ashton stopped at the entrance of Pear Garden. Cameron and Zachary were already standing by the gates when we arrived. It seemed as if they had been waiting for us for a long time.
“Welcome! Dinner is ready. We have been expecting your arrival.” Cameron stepped forward with a warm beam.
As Ashton carried Summer out of the car, Zachary and Cameron shared an equal look of shock in my direction. “T-The child is alright?”
“Ms. Anderson, are you planning to make another move on me?” I asked her in a frigid tone.
Cameron’s bright eyes reddened with unshed tears as she shook her head to deny profusely. “It’s not like that. My dear, please don’t think too much about it. I’m just glad that your child is safe.”
“Let’s go.” Ashton did not comment any further. Instead, he cradled Summer to his chest and turned to me.
The dining hall was located on the first floor. Alongside Jackson and Nick, even Jared, who was rarely seen, had attended the occasion. Jared was accompanied by Kristina.
It was a surprise to meet her here.
Jackson once told me that most of Macy’s troubles were caused by Kristina. I could feel my anger growing the more I looked at her.
