Chapter 27
As the hostess left, Ashton walked over to the chair next to Jared and Joe, sinking into it with a blank expression. His voice was cold as he asked, “Why hasn’t the food arrived?”
“Devon needs some time to prepare,” Jared replied before turning to me. “Are you hungry?”
I hesitated for a moment before shaking my head.
Joe scoffed, unimpressed by Jared’s concern. “Why are you acting so fragile? It’s just an abortion, for God’s sake. Why did we have to go out of our way to get a world-renowned chef like Devon to cook for you? What a waste of his time.”
Before Jared could stop him, I merely smiled. “The view here isn’t bad. I’ll go take a walk.”
My words were directed at Ashton and Jared. Ashton gave me a cool glance but said nothing. Jared, on the other hand, offered a small smile. “The courtyard looks stunning. Go take a look. There’s also a bonsai garden with a lake full of fish in the middle.”
With a nod of thanks, I turned and walked outside, unwilling to remain and listen to Joe’s venomous words.
“Are you insane, Jared?” I could still hear Joe fuming behind me. “Why are you caring so much about that woman? Have you lost your mind? If she hadn’t married Ashton through underhanded means, Rebecca and Ashton would’ve long been happily married by now.”
I picked up my pace, not wanting to listen any further. The courtyard was breathtaking, offering a rare touch of tranquility in the heart of bustling J City. Whoever owned this place was undoubtedly wealthy beyond measure, given the vast plot of land dedicated to cultivating an array of lush greenery.
As I strolled along the pebble path, I spotted a man in his mid-thirties plucking some branches, a small child beside him. The little boy, who seemed to have just learned how to walk, waddled toward me, holding a bright yellow flower in his tiny hands.
Unable to resist his adorable gesture, I smiled as he held out the flower to me. Just as I reached out to accept it, the man beside him spoke up. “Be careful! He’s a playful one. I wouldn’t want you getting hurt while you’re pregnant.”
I froze in surprise. “How…” The question never left my lips.
The man chuckled. “Don’t be surprised. I know a little about medicine. From the way you subconsciously held your belly while walking, I could tell.”
I nodded, impressed by his keen observation.
“This courtyard is really unique,” I remarked, glancing around. “It almost feels like a vegetable garden.”
The man laughed. “Not quite. It’s actually a medicinal herb garden. There are over two thousand species of rare and endangered plants being cultivated here.”
I was stunned. Taking a closer look at my surroundings, I realized that what I had mistaken for random vegetation was, in fact, a collection of carefully preserved medicinal plants. Even an unusually tall cactus stood among them.
“This place is called Herb Garden,” the man continued. “J City has the ideal climate for growing these plants, which is why it has become the center of the country’s medicinal herb research. Every species here is being preserved for future use.”
After sorting through the branches he had plucked, the man picked up the child and prepared to leave. “Don’t stay too long, Mrs. Fuller,” he called back over his shoulder. “Some of these herbs aren’t safe for a baby.”
I stood frozen. He knew who I was?
Before I could dwell on it further, a familiar voice called out from behind me. “Let’s go.”
Startled, I turned to see Ashton standing nearby, his dark eyes unreadable.
I had been so lost in my thoughts that his sudden presence made me jump, causing me to lose my footing on the uneven pebbled path. Before I could fall, Ashton caught me with swift reflexes, his grip firm yet effortless.
He sighed, frowning. “Did you leave your brain at home?”
I smiled sheepishly. “I spaced out.”
Ashton said nothing and turned to walk away. Following him, I couldn’t help but notice that he had been treating me slightly less coldly over the past two days.
Mustered by curiosity, I finally asked, “So Herb Garden isn’t actually a restaurant?”
“Yeah,” he answered briefly, clearly uninterested in continuing the conversation.
With his long strides, it didn’t take us long to return indoors. The dining table was already filled with an array of exquisite dishes. Apart from the four of us, a new family of three had joined us—the man from the garden, the little boy, and a woman who appeared to be his wife.
The man smiled as he saw me and turned to his wife. “Bring Mrs. Fuller some cuttlefish stew from the kitchen. It’s good for the baby.”
I paused, momentarily taken aback.
Joe, on the other hand, snorted. “The baby’s already gone. What’s the point in serving her that?”
Ashton’s gaze flickered toward me, his expression unreadable. Anxiety tightened in my chest—I didn’t want him reading too much into the man’s words. Desperate to change the subject, I turned to Ashton. “You haven’t introduced me to this man!”