Although we did not file a divorce, four years of separation was considered a divorce. Both of us knew that getting back together now was a bad idea.
While we were having breakfast, Summer appeared anxious about going to the new school.
So, Ashton and I went to the kindergarten with her to ease the butterflies in her stomach. When we arrived there, the teacher-in-charge was waiting at the gate. She looked about twenty.
Upon seeing Ashton, bewilderment was written all over her face. Letting her emotion get the better of her, she blurted out, “Mr. Fuller is married? And even has a child already?”
The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted it. She hurriedly bowed and apologized for her lack of courtesy just now.
Ashton did not reply, so I smiled and said, “It’s okay. Your reaction was understandable.”
In the past four years, Ashton had spread his influence all over K City, exhibiting his talents. Besides his outstanding ability, his striking looks alone were enough to make women swooning over him.
Moreover, in recent years, he was only seen with Nancy on public occasions and there was no news about his marriage. Since then, many people have thought that he was still an eligible bachelor, which caused more women to fantasize about him.
Back then, Summer was registered under Ashton’s name. Hence, by law, she was his legal daughter.
After we dropped Summer off, he had pressing issues to attend to at work. So, he asked the driver to bring me home and kissed me goodbye.
When I went back to the villa, I began to read through the admission requirements of K University. The application for the program would open in November, so I had three more months to prepare for what was needed.
Later, in the middle of the day, I received a call. It was an unfamiliar number. Looking at my phone, I wondered whether to answer it or not.
The phone continued to ring several times, leaving me with no choice but to answer the call.
A female voice came through the phone. “Scarlett, it’s been a while.”
It was Rebecca. Even after four years, I could still remember her voice.
I stopped what I was doing and remained silent.
She did not seem to mind my silence as she continued, “I’m outside the villa now. I need to talk to you, but the security guard won’t let me through.”
Is she here for Ashton? I quickly closed the book in front of me and went out to the balcony. Peering across the courtyard, I could not see her outside the gate due to the high walls.
“What do you want to talk about?” I asked. It had been four years since I last saw her. I had no idea what we could chat about.
“Anything will do. We can go out for a coffee,” she suggested.
She sounded collected and mature. It seemed that everyone had changed in the past four years.
Lowering my gaze to my watch, I fell silent for a moment before agreeing. “Okay. Give me a moment.”
Having a chat outside the villa seemed inappropriate, so I tidied myself up and went out of the villa.
Rebecca stood outside the gate, leaning against a white Corolla. She wore a white suit with a pair of black high heels, and her hair was curled. She looked drastically different from the time I last saw her.
Before I could greet her, someone approached me. It was Joseph. He had been staying in the villa these days.
I did not ask much about him. But Ashton told me to contact Joseph whenever I need help. It seemed that he had become my personal assistant.
“Mrs. Fuller, are you going out?” he inquired before glancing at Rebecca, who was standing outside the gate.
I gave him a nod. “I’m catching up with an old friend.”
“Alright. I’ll go with you then.”
I did not understand his intention at first, but as my gaze landed on the cars not far away from me, I realized that he wanted to protect me.
Ashton was no longer the same as before; everything he did attracted the attention of the media. Joseph wanted to follow along because he was worried about my well-being. After all, I was Ashton’s partner, so he needed to watch out for any possible danger I might encounter.
So, I nodded quietly.
Just then, Rebecca turned and saw that I had arrived. “Scarlett, long time no see.”
I gave her a wistful smile. She had become more mature and charming. Now, she was an attractive woman with a great career. The woman in front of me was no longer the one who was heavily dependent on Ashton four years ago. Her radical change was very unexpected, but I felt no envy.
“Good to see you,” I replied.
“Let’s go to the café downtown.” Glancing at Joseph who was standing on the side, she continued, “It’s a discreet place.”
I nodded in response and followed her to the car. Before I could get in, the cars that I saw before came toward us and blocked Rebecca’s car. To my surprise, the people who got out of the car were not paparazzi, but a group of sturdy bodyguards.
Joseph immediately became alert and stood in front of me. With a low voice, he looked at the two of us and said, “Why don’t the two of you have your chat inside the villa?”
Rebecca clearly did not expect a group of people to appear so suddenly. She stood dumbstruck for a second before narrowing her eyes at Joseph. “No, we don’t have to talk in the villa. I’ll just speak a few words and leave.”
After a slight pause, she scoffed. “Looks like someone wants to see you more than I do.”
