Chapter 66
I fell into a deep sleep. Sometime in the middle of the night, the bed dipped slightly as someone crawled in and pulled me into their embrace.
It must be Ashton. I said nothing and drifted back into slumber.
The weight of recent events must have taken its toll on me. By the time I arrived at the company the next morning, my mind felt foggy, and exhaustion clung to my every movement.
Stacey entered my office with a few documents in hand. As she placed them before me, she studied my face with concern before pouring me a glass of milk. “Ms. Stovall, you look pale. Do you need to see a doctor?”
I shook my head weakly. “I’m fine. I just didn’t sleep well last night. Go ahead and return to work.”
Lately, sleep had become a rare luxury, and it was beginning to show.
Stacey hesitated before nodding. As she gathered the files, she suddenly mentioned, “Dr. Crest is in the building today. I just saw him in the elevator. If you’re feeling unwell, maybe you should pay him a visit?”
Jared Crest was a shareholder of Fuller Corporation, though he seldom made an appearance. He was far more interested in medical research than in corporate affairs. The only reason he had an office here was due to Ashton’s recent investment in medical advancements.
I considered her suggestion for a moment before nodding. “That’s a good idea.”
My body had felt off for some time now. Perhaps seeing Jared would give me some answers.
As I made my way to his office, I stepped out of the elevator and instinctively halted. Through the open door of Ashton’s office, I caught sight of Rebecca standing inside.
She wore a flowing white dress, the kind that always seemed to define her delicate and ethereal appearance.
Not wanting to linger, I continued toward Jared’s office and knocked on the door.
“What is it?” came a familiar deep voice.
I stiffened slightly. It was Ashton. I hadn’t realized how close his office was.
Inside, Rebecca’s voice trembled with hesitation. “Ash, I’ve thought about it. I won’t go abroad, and I won’t enter showbiz either.”
“Mm.”
His response was indifferent, devoid of enthusiasm.
I knocked again, but there was no answer from Jared’s office. Was he asleep?
“Joe will be here later to take you home,” Ashton added flatly.
There was a long silence before Rebecca spoke again, her voice laced with frustration. “I’ve already given up. Isn’t that enough?”
Another pause.
“Rebecca, I told you not to make decisions based on me. Scarlett is pregnant. If you want to stay in J City, I’ll take care of you, but my responsibilities do not include your love life. I have my own family.”
A sharp intake of breath. Then, Rebecca’s voice turned brittle with desperation. “Your family?” She let out a choked laugh. “What about me? My brother entrusted me to you.”
“Parker didn’t ask me to marry you.” Ashton’s voice was cool, detached. “Rebecca, we have separate lives.”
There was a heavy silence before she asked in a trembling voice, “Do you love her?”
I froze.
Rebecca pressed on. “You don’t! You’re only with her because she’s pregnant. Ashton, you don’t even know your own feelings. What you feel for Scarlett isn’t love—it’s duty! Just like how you cared for me all those years. It was responsibility, not love!”
I clenched my fists.
Inside the office, all was quiet.
At that moment, Jared’s office door creaked open, and a sleep-ridden Jared stared at me. “What are you doing here?”
Snapping out of my trance, I turned to him, embarrassed.
“I need to see you,” I said hastily.
But before Jared could respond, Rebecca’s voice rang out again, her tone pleading.
“Ash, please don’t abandon me. I don’t want anything else—I just want to stay by your side. I promise I won’t ask for anything more. Please, let me stay.”
I lowered my gaze. She sounded pitiful. Desperate.
Jared raised an amused brow. “Eavesdropping?”
“No,” I denied immediately, but my face betrayed me. Afraid he wouldn’t believe me, I added, “I need your help.”
“What is it?” He didn’t bother to hide the fact that he was also listening in on the conversation inside Ashton’s office.
“My body hasn’t been feeling right lately,” I admitted. “Can you check if my baby is affected?”
Jared continued to glance toward Ashton’s office, only half-paying attention. Frustrated, I raised my voice. “Dr. Crest!”
That got his attention. He turned to me, mildly annoyed. “Fine. Come in.”
As I followed him inside, Rebecca’s voice carried through the hallway once more.
“You know Scarlett loves you, but you don’t love her. A loveless marriage will ruin you, Ashton. One day, she’ll break down. This isn’t what love is supposed to be.”
I shut my eyes briefly.
How ironic.
Even Rebecca knew what love should be. And yet, here we were, caught in this endless cycle of responsibility and pain.