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?”
Panicked, I nodded quickly and stepped aside to let him in.
He entered without hesitation, and only then did I notice that half of his body was soaked. He must have tilted the umbrella toward me earlier to shield me from the rain.
I closed the door and awkwardly said, “I’ll go change my clothes first.”
He gave the room a quick once–over before replying with a simple hum.
1/2
+25 BONUS
Chapter 8
By the time I returned, wearing dry clothes, Ashton was sitting on the couch.
Thesitated before saying, “You… should wash up. I can dry your clothes for you.”
In a detached tone, he replied, “No need.”
Left with no other option, I sat down across from him.
At last, Ashton shifted his gaze toward me. I lowered my head, avoiding his eyes, and nervously clutched the hem of my dress.
After a long pause, he finally asked, “How many months?”
“Seven and a half,” I murmured.
Ashton sighed deeply. “You knew before the divorce, didn’t you?”
I fiddled with my fingers. “Yes.”
He stood and moved closer, crouching down to look at me. “If I hadn’t seen you at the hospital that day, would you have hidden this from me forever?”
His intense gaze pinned me in place, leaving me with nowhere to escape. In the end, I chose to come clean. “I found out I was pregnant the day Mallory came back.”
Ashton’s expression shifted slightly.
“I was afraid that if I told you, you’d ask me to get rid of the baby.” I could feel my voice trembling. “I didn’t want to lose the baby.”
I placed my hand on my belly, feeling the baby’s movements. My expression softened as I added, “The child’s growing so fast, though they can be a bit mischievous.”
Looking up at Ashton, I continued, “Even if I can’t have you, having a little one just like you would be enough to make me happy.”
For a moment, his expression seemed to falter. Then, he reached out and pulled me into a tight embrace.