Jared patted her back and said, “Your throat is still sore. No more laughing.”
Although his words sounded stern, the affection in his tone was obvious.
Summer looked at me and said, “Mommy, you have the same answer as Mr. Crest. It’s impossible for durian and watermelon to feel hurt. Your head will be the one in pain.”
For the next few minutes, Summer continued to play riddles with Jared.
At the dining table, Summer ate more than usual. She was so excited and joyful throughout the meal. Shortly after lunch, she fell asleep.
Jared got up from the sofa and picked up his doctor’s bag as he prepared to leave.
I was silent for a moment before saying, “Dr. Crest, can I have a word with you?”
He pressed his lips together and nodded. Then, he sat back down and looked at me with dullness in his eyes.
I took a deep breath and went straight to the point. “When Macy left, she told me never to let Summer know that you are her father.”
His eyes turned cold, with a pained expression on his face. He said, “I can understand.”
“Summer is your child and no one can deny that,” I said calmly. “Including Macy.”
He was a little surprised and looked at me with a frown. “So?”
“This is a matter between you and Macy. It’s none of my business. But I have no choice but to intervene now. I raised Summer myself and treated her as my own daughter. I hope you can understand that.”
He nodded and sat there calmly, as though waiting for me to finish what I have to say.
I pursed my lips and said, “You and Ashton are good friends. He’s a man who needs a little extra emotional support. Of course, same goes to each and everyone of us. And I don’t wish for us to quarrel and part in bad terms.”
After a pause, I continued, “I will let Summer know that you are her father, but we’ll have to wait till she’s eighteen years old before breaking the news to her. Then, it’ll be up to her to decide if she wants to acknowledge you as her father or otherwise. Of course, within the eighteen years, you may come and see her anytime you want. And if the Crest family can take good care of her, then I will agree to let her go to the Crest family during the holidays.”
He was momentarily stunned. It was as though he never thought that I would say such a thing to him. He also never even thought that I would ultimately give in.
For a long time, he looked at me solemnly and asked, “Are you sure?”
I nodded and said, “Yes, I’m sure. I didn’t make this decision because of you. I did it for Ashton. I don’t want him to end his long-term friendship with you all because of me. I hope that you guys will maintain your friendship fin the years to come.”
He seemed a little surprised, and he was silent for a while before he spoke again. “Thank you, Scarlett.”
He was still a man of little words.
I lowered my gaze and said, “You don’t have to thank me. Although I don’t know how deep you feel for Macy, I know for sure that you love Summer. In my opinion, it’s not a bad thing for one more person to shower Summer with love.”
Having said what needs to be said, I was prepared to let him leave.
He was silent for a moment and said, “I want to take Summer to W City. Not to introduce her to the Crest family, but to bring her there for sightseeing. I made a promise to Macy before that I would bring her to W City.”
I frowned and felt a lump in my throat. But I nodded and said, “Okay. But I don’t want her gone for too long.”
“Just for three days.”
“Okay.”
I couldn’t keep Summer by my side forever. Sooner or later, she was going to grow up and leave me.
After seeing Jared out, I went to Summer’s bedroom. I couldn’t believe how much she had grown as I looked at her.
Unknowingly, I became a socialite in K City, all because of Emery’s wedding.
It could either be Emery’s way of introducing me, or it could be Louis’ doing.
Unintentionally, I became a well-known socialite in K City.
I took a call from Emery while Summer was still sleeping.
There was some background noise but I could hear her clearly. “Scarlett, I found the sandalwood box that you wanted. It’s with Cameron. I told her that you want it, and she said she’ll give it to you. So I’ll mail it to you later.”
I nodded. Not wanting to disturb Summer’s sleep, I lowered my voice and walked out of the bedroom.
It was hot in the living room as I leaned back on the sofa and said, “I’ll have to trouble you then.”
She scoffed, “It’s no trouble at all.”
After a few seconds of silence, she said, “There’s something I don’t know if I should tell you.”
“What’s that?”
Emery took a moment before she said, “Ashton and Marcus fought at the wedding banquet. I heard from Hunter that there was some exchange between them before the fight. Hunter said it was no big deal, but Ashton seemed very angry about it. Marcus must have said something to him.”
I pursed my lips and thought back to the night at the banquet. He had been acting strange and got himself drunk. Was it all because of something that Marcus had said?
