Half an hour later.
The bathroom door opened, and he came out. After a series of soft noises, the spot beside me sank downward. The man just lay beside me on the bed.
Initially, I thought he would cuddle me to sleep like he always did, but he didn’t. The bed felt unusually spacious and empty.
That night, we slept on each side of the bed until the sun rose the next morning.
When I woke up, Ashton was already not around.
Still a little sleepy, I reached out to take my phone to check the time. It was only 6 a.m., so I could still sleep for a little longer.
Just when I closed my eyes and drifted off, the bedroom door opened, and the sound of footsteps approached the bed.
Immediately, I could feel someone’s presence right beside me. “Scarlett, it’s time to wake up.” It was Ashton’s voice.
Opening my eyes, I saw him sit by the bed. Dressed in black, he appeared forbidding and poised.
I rolled over, resting my head on my arm while gazing at him through lidded eyes. “Are you not going to the office?”
He gave me a half-smile. “I’ll go in a while. Come on, let’s have breakfast. Are you going to the Moore Residence to see Emery?”
Heavy-eyed, I nodded. “Yes, I’m going, but there’s no need to rush.”
He helped me sit up on the bed, looking at me. “Let’s go early then. Would you like to have lunch with me at noon?”
Cupping my weary face, I nodded sluggishly. “Okay.”
With his eyes still on me, he smiled gently. Lifting his hand to hold my chin, he pecked me on the cheek impishly and chuckled. “You look so confused.”
I opened my eyes and glanced at him, letting out a sigh. “You should get going.”
Fortunately, Summer had her own driver, or else I would struggle so much to wake up early every day.
Instead of heading to work, he came back into the bedroom a few minutes later and carried me up in his arms.
“Let’s leave the house together. I’ll send you to the Moore Residence on my way to work.”
In a daze, I said, “Your office and the Moore Residence aren’t in the same direction.”
“No worries, it’s alright.” While speaking, he already filled a cup with warm water and gestured for me to gargle with it.
The scene looked like a father taking care of his disabled daughter.
After eating breakfast, we got into the car.
Not having enough sleep, I leaned my face on the window and had some shuteye.
The car stopped at a crossroads when the traffic lights turned red. Ashton reached out and pulled me back to my seat. “It’s cool.”
With my head tilted, I still felt a little groggy as I looked at him. “Where are we going?”
The corner of his lips twitched up. “Sleep for a while. We’ll be there when you wake up.”
Nodding my head, I closed my eyes and dozed off again.
At Moore Residence, the car park was almost full.
Right when Ashton was about to wake me up, I jolted awake, staring blankly out the window.
Why were there so many visitors today? If I showed up now, would it be inconvenient for Emery?
However, I was overthinking. Ashton had to leave for work, so I stood in front of the gate, hesitating. Before I went in, Cameron spotted me.
She scampered over to me with a smile. “Emery just told me yesterday that you might be coming over in the next few days, but I didn’t expect to see you today. Come on in.”
There were quite a number of people in the living room when Cameron brought me in. Some greeted me, while the others cast curious glances at me.
Unexpectedly, Cameron introduced me to each one of them, but that wasn’t what I came here for. Hence, I excused myself to see Emery.
The Moore Residence was palatial, and the area where Emery stayed was quiet and peaceful. No one else was around other than the two caregivers, who were there to take care of the baby.
Emery was lying on the bed. Perhaps she just finished breastfeeding. The baby was in a deep slumber, while she hummed a song in a daze.
Hearing the sound when I came in, she looked up and saw me. Excited, the woman wanted to jump down from the bed, but the caregivers stopped her.
“Ms. Moore, please don’t get out of bed and move around yet. You need to rest for a few more days.”
Helplessly, she gazed at me with a pitiful look. “Look, Scarlett, I’m so miserable.”
I couldn’t help smiling at her. Walking over to sit on the bed, I glanced at the barely one-week-old baby, whose face was still rather wrinkly.
“Don’t look. It’s all Hunter’s fault. The baby is so ugly and hasn’t inherited my beauty.”
Though Emery was grumbling, her gaze on the baby was full of affection.
I chuckled at her words. A pang of envy washed over me. “New-borns usually look like this. Their appearances will change after just a few days.”
She pursed her lips. A few seconds later, she glanced at me and teased, “When are you and Ashton going to have a second baby? You’re back in K City for a long while. Why is there no good news from you yet? Is Ashton too old for that already?”
I went speechless, forcing a laugh. “He’s only thirty-five. How is he too old for that? Don’t be silly.”
Cupping her chin, she asked, “Why don’t you try for another baby then?”
“Having Summer alone is enough,” I answered with a smile. I can’t have another baby, even if I want to.
Her forehead creased. “Scarlett, after all, Ashton is a man. Though his parents haven’t urged you both, I’m sure deep down, they’re eager and hope for another grandchild. I think you both should really go for it.”
I balled up my fists at her advice. Glancing at her, I asked, “Why are there so many people today?”
