Chapter 90
Ashton nodded, and though only a few hours had passed, he looked as if he’d aged years. His face, usually so composed, now carried the weight of the night’s events.
I felt an overwhelming fatigue from the hospital visit and soon drifted into sleep.
The next morning, I was awakened by a commotion. I opened my eyes to find a nurse changing my IV drip. I rubbed my temples, trying to shake off the grogginess, and asked, “Who’s arguing outside?”
The nurse paused mid-action and glanced over her shoulder. “It’s Mr. Ashton and Ms. Larson. She wants to visit you, but he refuses to let her in. Now, she’s crying outside.”
Crying?
I remained silent, knowing that Rebecca’s tears were probably nothing but a show. She always knew how to manipulate people.
The nurse turned to leave, but before she did, I asked, “When you go out, can you tell them to come in?”
She nodded, gathered her supplies, and left.
A short while later, Ashton and Rebecca entered together. Rebecca’s forehead was bandaged, likely from an injury she sustained the night before. Her eyes were red from crying, making her appear fragile and pitiful.
She entered with Ashton trailing behind, his face tight. Glancing at me, Rebecca pretended to be concerned. “Are you alright, Scarlett?”
I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. “I’m sorry that I’m still alive. I guess your wish hasn’t been fulfilled.”
Ashton’s face darkened, and he looked at me with frustration. “Scarlett, do you need to be so sarcastic?”
I smirked, my voice devoid of warmth. “I wouldn’t dare. You’re very impressive, Mr. Fuller. You almost killed me in a single night. I’d rather stay far away from you.”
The tension in the room was palpable, and Ashton, unwilling to engage further, dragged Rebecca out of the hospital room. I was left alone in the sterile quiet, feeling a sinking sense of dejection and defeat. There comes a point in life when all hope fades, and I was standing at that precipice.
In the days that followed, the world seemed to continue turning around me. Nick published shocking news, Rebecca rejoined the Fuller family, and John came back to J City to further his career. But I barely registered any of it.
A week passed, and I was still in the hospital. By then, I was three months pregnant, and my small bump was becoming noticeable.
At times, I’d find myself staring at my belly or at the ceiling, lost in thought. Ashton came to visit almost every day, but our conversations always ended in arguments, and soon he stopped visiting as often. Despite this, his financial contributions meant that the doctors and nurses still treated me with the utmost care.
I never asked why he stopped visiting. I wasn’t interested in hearing any excuses. Mrs. Eriksen still visited daily, bringing homemade soups and offering her company, but even her warmth couldn’t fill the emptiness I felt inside.
Sometimes, when I’d slip into a daze, the thought of the child inside me would cause a wave of reluctance to swell up. If I didn’t have this baby, I could leave Ashton and live freely, without the constant reminders of the life I had been dragged into. The more I thought about it, the more the urge to abort grew.
I knew it was a result of my fragile mental state, but the thoughts wouldn’t go away.
The streets of J City bloomed with bluebell trees, and the lavender flowers lining the sidewalks brought color to an otherwise dull atmosphere. The beauty outside seemed to mock my inner turmoil.
A few days later, I was discharged from the hospital. Ashton drove slowly, as though deliberately letting me take in the scenic view of the city.
I turned my head to watch the landscape rush by, but my gaze was unfocused. The beauty of the world felt distant, as if I were watching it through a foggy window.
“Ashton,” I said softly, my voice tinged with sadness, “I’ve lost myself. Ever since I met you, I haven’t been myself. I’ve become selfish, stubborn, cold. Why did I turn out like this?”
His frown deepened as he glanced at me. “Your stomach is getting bigger. Just leave the HiTech case aside for now. Let’s take some time off and travel. You need to destress.”
I knew he was trying to help, but the thought of traveling with him felt suffocating.
Shaking my head, I absentmindedly stroked my belly. “The Fuller Corporation’s audit is probably ending soon. I won’t be giving birth anytime soon anyway, so let’s focus on the HiTech case first.”
He was silent for a moment, then nodded. “Okay. But if you need anything, come to me.”
I didn’t respond. Instead, I found my attention drifting to the couples strolling hand-in-hand on the streets, the sight of them pulling at some long-buried part of me. As I watched them, memories from the past two decades flashed in my mind. I had never properly dated anyone. Never experienced true love. And now, a quarter of my life had passed, and I still had no idea what love even felt like.
A bitter chuckle escaped my lips. Was my life destined to be this lonely forever?
“What are you laughing about?” Ashton’s voice cut through the silence, his tone suddenly solemn.
I shook my head, forcing a smile. “I just thought of something amusing.”
“What?” he pressed, though I wasn’t in the mood to answer.
The car fell into silence once more.
Not long after, we arrived at the villa. As I stepped out of the car, Mrs. Eriksen rushed over, concern written across her face. “Are you feeling better? I made some oatmeal for you. Would you like some?”
I gave her a faint smile and shook my head. “Mrs. Eriksen, you just brought me chicken soup this morning. I’m too full for anything else.”