Tears welled in her eyes as she whispered repeatedly, “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry…”
Ashton clutched his injured hand, his voice icy as he addressed Cameron, “Take her back.”
Cameron hesitated for a moment. He glanced at Ashton’s bleeding hand before nodding in agreement.
Meanwhile, I stood behind Ashton, clutching the baby. My face was pale as a sheet.
Ashton turned to look at me, and there was a faint smile tugging at his lips. “I told you, I’d never let anyone hurt you or the baby.”
I laughed through my tears, unable to stop myself. “You’re such an idiot.”
At the hospital, I couldn’t help but stare at Ashton while his hand was being treated.
“What she said earlier. Was it true?” I asked tentatively.
He met my gaze briefly. “What part?”
I pressed on in a frustrated manner, “The part she said before–those few sentences!”
Ashton said slowly, almost teasingly, “I forgot.”
1/2
Chapter 14
+25 BONUS
I grabbed his hand in frustration. “Think harder!”
He winced. “It hurts.”
I released his hand immediately and fell into a sullen silence. When I did not speak for a while, Ashton leaned closer. “Are you angry?”
I glanced at him before turning away pointedly.
Sighing, Ashton used his uninjured hand to gently turn my face back toward him. He leaned in and softly pressed his lips to mine. My eyes widened in shock. Our eyes met for a brief moment before he whispered, “Close your eyes.”
Then, he leaned in again, deepening the kiss with more intensity.
Mallory was eventually sent abroad for treatment.
Meanwhile, I stayed in Zionsville with my baby, whom I named Ark. The name was inspired by Noah’s ark, symbolizing my hope that he would grow up to sail far and wide.
Ashton brought up the idea of remarriage several times, but I always brushed it off.
Instead, he frequently used Ark as an excuse to strike up conversations. Most of the time, I would update him about the baby’s milestones while he silently listened.
One day, I mentioned that Ark could now say everyone’s names–except his.
Ashton was quiet for a long time before finally muttering, “That kid’s even more trouble than I was as a child.”
I laughed so hard I nearly fell over.
The next morning, a package from a stranger arrived at my door. Upon opening the door, I was startled to see Ashton standing there in person.
Hearing the sound of the door, Ark toddled over on unsteady legs. When he spotted Ashton, his eyes lit up as he yelled loudly, “Daddy!”
Ashton broke into a broad smile. He then looked at me and said, “Pip, I’m here to take you and Ark home.”
Continue Reading
