Chapter 34
Unwittingly, I had stayed in Ashton’s study until the sky turned dark. I wasn’t sure if it was because of my pregnancy, but despite not eating the entire day, I still didn’t feel hungry—only a vague discomfort in my stomach.
Heading downstairs, I rummaged through the kitchen cabinets for something to eat. Fortunately, Stacey had stocked up on food earlier. After some searching, I found some cucumbers in the refrigerator. Too lazy to cook, I simply washed them, deciding that they would suffice for dinner.
I hadn’t noticed Ashton returning to the villa. It wasn’t until I stepped out of the kitchen, a cucumber in hand, that I saw him sitting in the living room.
When did he come back?
Sensing my presence, Ashton turned his head, his eyes immediately locking onto the cucumber in my hand. His frown deepened as he asked gruffly, “What are you planning to do with that?”
I blinked, confused by his reaction. “Eat it, of course,” I answered matter-of-factly. What else would I do with it?
His gaze darkened, and he scoffed. “Did I fail to satisfy you? Is that why you’ve resorted to using that?”
I froze. What?
For a moment, I couldn’t comprehend what he was implying. But when realization dawned, my face burned with embarrassment.
He stood and strode toward me, his expression unreadable. Still puzzled, I raised the second cucumber I had washed. “Do you want one?”
His face turned even stormier. “No.”
Before I could react, he snatched the cucumber from my hand and tossed it aside. One arm wrapped firmly around my waist while the other traced the outline of my lips with his fingertips.
No matter how slow-witted I was, I finally understood his intentions. My instincts screamed at me to escape, but he held me firmly in place. His voice was husky when he murmured, “It’s been a few days. We should be in the clear now.”
I blinked in shock. What logic was that?
“Ashton—” My protest was cut off as he pressed closer. I tried to push him away, but he was much stronger than me.
Feeling his arousal against my belly, my eyes widened. “Ashton, don’t…”
His grip tightened.
Panic flared within me. “No, Ashton, we are not in the clear! There’s still a risk of infection!”
Rebecca had just had a miscarriage, and the same applied to me. He couldn’t touch her, nor could he touch me. Was that why he was acting like a deprived man?
“Ashton, the doctor said to abstain for a month. Please!” I pleaded, my voice trembling.
Perhaps he finally registered the urgency in my tone because he gradually stopped. With a long sigh, he pulled me into a tight embrace, his lips brushing my collarbone lightly before he released me.
“Hungry?” he asked, his voice husky yet gentler now.
I hesitated, then gave a small nod. The loud growl of my stomach betrayed me.
Ashton’s gaze flickered toward the discarded cucumber before returning to me, his expression complicated. “You were really going to eat that just now?”
I nodded again. “I didn’t feel like cooking, so I washed two cucumbers.”
He studied me for a moment, then let out a quiet sigh before heading into the kitchen. After a while, he emerged with a bowl of noodles—two eggs nestled on top.
When I saw the meal, I gaped at him. He raised a brow. “Come and eat.”
It was an order, but not an unpleasant one.
Jared’s words from earlier surfaced in my mind. If I came clean with Ashton, would he really handle everything?
Shaking off my thoughts, I sat at the dining table. Noticing there was only one bowl, I asked, “You’ve already eaten?”
He nodded, scrolling through his phone. “Eat.”
The noodles smelled amazing, but after a few bites, my stomach churned violently. A wave of nausea surged through me, and I barely made it to the bathroom before emptying my stomach.
A cold voice sounded behind me. “Does it taste that bad?”
I turned to see Ashton standing by the door, his brows furrowed.
I wiped my mouth and shook my head. “No. I think it’s just because I went too long without food, and my stomach couldn’t handle it.”
Without a word, he helped me up and led me upstairs.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, confused.
He changed into casual clothes, then turned to me. “Change. I’m taking you out to eat.”
I blinked. “I’m not hungry. I don’t think I can eat anything.”
His eyes locked onto mine, his tone brooking no argument. “I’ll wait for you outside.”
Despite my protests, I sighed and changed my clothes before following him out.
J City was alive with activity at this hour. As he drove, he glanced at me and asked, “What do you feel like eating?”
I thought for a moment. “Something light.”
Maybe morning sickness was finally setting in—I was feeling nauseated by certain smells.
He nodded. As I studied his handsome profile, I suddenly realized that this was the most peaceful day Ashton and I had shared since our marriage.