Chapter 32
I was caught off guard by her question because I had never seriously thought about it. Once everything here was settled, my belly would probably start showing, making it inconvenient to look for a job.
“I might take a short break or something.” After the baby was born, I would have my hands full, so it would be best to wait until the baby was older to make any decisions.
“That’s a good idea.” Macy fell silent for a while, probably deep in thought. “You’ve suffered so much all these years because of Ashton. It’s time for you to take a good rest. Luckily, I’ve saved enough money for the both of us to live comfortably!”
I burst out laughing. “Don’t worry. I won’t be completely helpless after the divorce. I have my own savings.” The villa was a gift from Grandpa. Even if Ashton gave it to me after the divorce, I probably wouldn’t sell it. As for the company shares, I still hadn’t decided what to do with them.
After a few good laughs, we ended the call. Wrapping my arms around myself, I leaned against the floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing at the scenery outside.
Indeed, it was time to think about my future.
For some inexplicable reason, the air seemed to turn slightly chilly. Rubbing my arms, I turned around to look for a coat—only to be startled by Ashton standing behind me, his posture rigid.
My heart pounded. My hands instantly turned clammy. “Didn’t… Didn’t you go to the company?”
I had no idea how long he had been standing there or how much of my conversation with Macy he had heard.
His obsidian eyes locked onto mine as he asked in a brooding tone, “Going somewhere?”
My breath hitched. He must have heard something. Feigning ignorance, I asked, “What do you mean?”
Seeing him stalk toward me, panic surged in my chest. Desperate to divert his attention, I abruptly clutched my abdomen and furrowed my brows. “Ow! My stomach! It hurts so much!”
With that, I squatted down, hoping to sell the act.
He halted, his expression shifting instantly. In the next second, he strode forward and hauled me up with a frown. “Let’s go to the hospital!”
Crap. Did I just dig my own grave?
“No…” I blurted out, far too quickly.
His sharp gaze darkened. “You seem really against going to the hospital, Scarlett.”
I scrambled for an explanation, a hint of sadness flashing across my face. “It just reminds me of how helpless and afraid I was while lying on the operating table.”
He visibly stiffened. After a long pause, he exhaled heavily and, without another word, pulled me out of the bedroom.
Thinking he was going to force me to the hospital, I gripped his sleeve and pleaded with teary eyes, “I really don’t want to go, Ashton!”
To my surprise, he didn’t argue. “Go down and eat something.” His voice was cold, but there was an undercurrent of helplessness in it.
Something inside me stirred. Last night, he had rescued me. Today, he compromised. Somehow, he wasn’t as indifferent as before.
Humans were greedy creatures. Once we tasted kindness, we craved more. In the end, we became possessive.
After seating me at the dining table, Ashton disappeared into the kitchen. Moments later, he returned with a bowl of steaming soup.
I assumed it was canned mushroom soup, but to my surprise, it was home-cooked ginger carrot soup. Staring at him in disbelief, I felt conflicting emotions surge within me. He merely cast me an indifferent glance before saying, “Jared will come over to check on you later. Don’t go to the company for now. Even though the project with Dr. Ludwick has been completed, you still need to bear the losses due to the delay you caused. But for today, just rest at home.”
With that, he put on his jacket, grabbed his car keys, and left.
I sat frozen for a long while. When did he start treating me differently? Was it after he found out about the baby?
My gaze remained fixed on the ginger carrot soup, my thoughts a tangled mess.
When Jared arrived, I was still a little out of sorts.
He frowned as he looked me over. “You don’t have to eat this if you don’t like it. You can still eat whatever you prefer. The fetus isn’t that fragile.”
His voice jolted me from my daze. Looking up, I saw him standing by the dining table, medical kit in hand.
Quickly, I stood up. “Oh, you’re here!”
He blinked in surprise but didn’t comment. Opening his kit, he took out some medicine and handed it to me. “Take this three times a day for 21 days. Stay away from alcohol—it could cause fetal growth retardation or malformation. Also, you should start going for regular pregnancy checkups.”
I nodded, taking the medicine. “Thank you.”
Jared hesitated before leaving, his gaze lingering on me. “In your current state, I don’t think you’ll be able to leave just yet. Why don’t you be upfront with Ashton? Since he intends to keep the child, he’ll handle everything else too.”
I knew what he meant. “Everything else” referred to Rebecca.
I didn’t know much about Ashton’s relationship with her, nor had I ever asked. But before I could stop myself, I blurted out, “Ashton must really love Ms. Larson.”
Jared walked toward the sofa and took a seat, giving me a fleeting glance before replying, “This has nothing to do with love. If you truly want to be with Ashton, tell him the truth. He has his own way of handling things.”