Chapter 4
The corridor wasn’t particularly wide, so we inevitably came face to face. Jared hesitated for a moment before straightening his clothes and explaining, “Ms. Stovall, I’m here to treat Rebecca.”
Jared was Ashton’s best friend, and they say a man’s true feelings can often be gauged by the attitude of those closest to him. Even without his demeanor, the way he addressed me was enough of a reminder—I would only ever be “Ms. Stovall” to him.
Such a polite and distant form of address.
I had learned not to dwell too much on the small details; they only led to unnecessary heartache. Forcing a smile onto my lips, I stepped aside and replied, “Mm, go ahead.”
Time and again, I found myself admiring Rebecca. All it ever took were a few tears from her to gain the warmth and care that I could never attain, no matter how much effort I put in.
Back in the bedroom, I found a suit that Ashton had never worn before. After a moment’s hesitation, I picked it up and made my way downstairs.
Jared worked quickly. After checking Rebecca’s temperature and prescribing her the necessary medication, he was ready to leave.
As he descended the stairs, he spotted me in the living room and offered a polite smile. “It’s getting late. Aren’t you going to sleep yet, Ms. Stovall?”
“Mm, I will soon.” I extended the suit toward him. “Your clothes are wet, and it’s still raining outside. You should change into this before you leave, or you’ll catch a cold.”
He blinked at me in surprise, momentarily silent, before a smile graced his lips. “It’s alright. I’m as fit as a bull; I’ll be fine.”
I pressed the suit into his hands, insisting, “Ashton has never worn this before. The tags are still on. You two are about the same size—just take it.”
Without waiting for a response, I turned and climbed the stairs back to the bedroom.
It wasn’t purely an act of kindness. When my grandmother had been hospitalized, Jared had been her attending physician. He was an internationally renowned doctor, and if it hadn’t been for the Fullers, he would never have agreed to perform her surgery. This was merely my way of repaying him.
The next morning, the heavy rain had subsided, leaving behind a fresh, musky scent in the air. I was accustomed to waking early, so after washing up, I made my way downstairs—only to pause at the sight in the kitchen.
Ashton stood by the stove, clad in a black apron, frying eggs. The harsh, wintry demeanor he usually carried was gone, replaced by an air of quiet warmth. It was a side of him I had never seen before.
Rebecca stood close by, watching him with bright, adoring eyes. Her delicate face was still flushed, likely a remnant of her fever from the night before, but it only served to make her look more charming.
“Ash, I want my eggs slightly burnt,” she said playfully, lifting a strawberry to his lips. “But not too burnt, or they’ll taste bitter.”
Ashton took the strawberry without a word, his gaze lingering on her with indulgent fondness.
They made a striking pair—two beautiful people wrapped in an air of intimate familiarity. The warmth between them was undeniable.
“They look good together, don’t you think?” A voice from behind startled me. I turned to see Jared standing there, observing the scene with a knowing look.
I had almost forgotten that it had rained heavily the previous night and that, with Rebecca falling ill, Ashton wouldn’t have let Jared leave.
“Good morning,” I greeted, my gaze dropping briefly to the suit he was wearing.
Noticing my glance, Jared arched a brow and smiled. “It fits well. Thank you.”
I shook my head lightly. “Don’t mention it.”
I had bought it for Ashton, but he had never once bothered to try it on.
Our voices drew Rebecca’s attention, and she turned with a bright smile. “Scarlett, Jared! You’re both awake. Ashton made breakfast. Come join us!”
She spoke as though she were the lady of the house.
I met her gaze with a polite but distant smile. “It’s fine. I bought some bread and milk yesterday. The milk is still in the fridge. You should drink more—you’ve only just recovered.”
I had lived in this house for two years. My name was on the title deed, right alongside Ashton’s. While I had been willing to endure many things, I could not simply stand by and watch someone else act as if they owned my home.