I let out a breath, reassuring myself. With Regensburg so far from Zionsville, there was no way he would come all the way to this hospital. I must have been imagining things
After giving myself a lengthy pep talk, I slowly made my way home.
The next day, I started taking evening walks in the small garden below my apartment after dinner. This routine lasted for a week–until that day.
The sky had been clear when I left, but before long, a heavy downpour started unexpectedly. I had been enjoying my leisurely stroll and taking in the scenery, when the rain suddenly drenched me from head to toe.
I hurried to a nearby gazebo for shelter, watching as the rain grew heavier and heavier.
Normally, I would not hesitate to dash through the rain back home, but now–looking down at my rounded belly -I sighed silently.
A gust of wind swept through, and my soaked body began to shiver. I crossed my arms, rubbing them for warmth, only to notice my shoelace had come undone.
Just my luck.
had mostly avoided shoes with laces since my belly had grown too large for me to bend over or crouch comfortably. But in my haste to go for a walk that evening, had thrown on a random pair, and my hurried steps to escape the rain had loosened the laces.
I fumbled awkwardly with my shoelaces, but every attempt only made them worse. Eventually, the knot came completely undone.
Frustrated, I stomped my foot and sat on the bench, sulking on my own.
That was when I noticed someone standing at the edge of the gazebo.
I looked up to see a man holding a black umbrella. The edges were tilted low as rainwater dripped from its surface. Before I could say a word, he tilted the umbrella slightly, revealing Ashton’s calm and distant face.
I immediately froze.
He folded the umbrella and stepped into the gazebo. Without saying anything, he crouched down and tied my shoelace with meticulous care.
I stared at him, unable to speak.
Ashton then draped his coat over my shoulders and said in an even tone, “Let’s go. I’ll take you home.”
The natural way he acted, as if he had already known about my pregnancy, left my thoughts in complete disarray. I began mentally preparing how to explain everything to him. When we finally arrived at my door, I hesitated, unsure of how to start the conversation.
Ashton glanced at the house. “Can I come in?”
