Chapter 24
Ashton grabbed onto me as he finished speaking.
Rage boiled within me as I winced in pain. I pulled his hand away, glaring at him. “Well, if this is just an inn to you, then feel free to never come back. Sign the divorce papers, and we’ll never have to see each other again!”
Suddenly, he bit down on my shoulder, making me gasp in pain. My eyes stung as tears threatened to spill.
“Oh? So now that you’ve got the money, the house, and the shares, you’re just going to walk away?” Ashton sneered, his dark eyes filled with cold amusement. “Your love sure is cheap, Scarlett. To think you’re so eager to take it all back.”
My head pounded as I tried to reason with him, but what was the point? He was drunk.
Suppressing my frustration, I softened my tone and gently cupped his face. “It’s late, Ashton. Let’s go home, okay?”
He stopped speaking, closing his eyes as he leaned back against the couch—but he still held on to me.
I hesitated, unsure of what he wanted. “If you don’t want to come home with me, I can call Rebecca to pick you up, okay?” I suggested cautiously.
If he didn’t want to return to the villa, I assumed he had been staying with Rebecca all this time. But before I could even dial her number, Ashton grabbed my phone and, without a second thought, threw it across the room.
The loud crash made me freeze. Staring at my shattered phone, I turned back to him in shock. “What the hell do you want, Ashton?”
He didn’t want to leave with me, yet he wouldn’t let someone else take him home. Did he intend to drink himself to death here?
“Let’s go home,” he muttered, his voice low and hoarse. Before I could react, he lifted me into his arms and staggered toward the door.
My heart pounded in fear. With a child inside me, I couldn’t afford for him to drop me. I clung to him, keeping my voice gentle. “You’re drunk, Ashton. Put me down. I can walk on my own. I just had surgery—it wouldn’t be good if I fell.”
At my words, he suddenly froze and locked his dark gaze onto mine. “Was it to get back at me?” he asked, his voice dangerously quiet.
I stiffened, unsure of what he meant. “Of course not,” I answered quickly, shaking my head. “I love you, Ashton. Why would I want to get back at you? Please, just put me down, and let’s go home.”
God! A drunk man was no different from a stubborn child.
To my surprise, he actually set me down. His expression was unreadable as he gave me a long look before saying, “Let’s go home.”
Exhausted, I nodded. “Okay, let’s go.”
With much effort, I helped him down to the first floor. Macy stood at the bar counter, arms crossed as she watched us. “Need help?”
I shook my head. “Did he pay the bill?”
She rolled her eyes. “Pay the bill? My bar is practically his now.”
With Ashton’s full weight leaning on me, I didn’t have the energy to respond. I simply nodded and focused on dragging him outside.
Getting him into the car was another ordeal. By the time I managed, I was drenched in sweat. I finally understood why pregnant women were considered fragile—I was utterly exhausted just from this.
I turned to Ashton in the passenger seat. With his eyes closed, he looked nothing like his usual cold and distant self. Instead, he appeared calm, almost peaceful. This man truly was blessed by the heavens. He had everything—a striking face, a strong build, immense wealth. He was the kind of man others could only dream of being.
I sighed softly, staring at him for a moment longer.
Suddenly, his eyes snapped open. Before I could react, he grabbed me and pressed his lips to mine.
His kiss was hard, desperate, laced with the scent of alcohol and cigarettes. My mind spun, and I struggled to breathe. Just as I was about to push him away, he finally released me.
Stunned, I met his gaze. His eyes held something unfathomable—something different from his usual cold detachment.
“Ashton…”
His voice was low and firm. “I want my child back.”
I stiffened, my breath caught in my throat.
Then, as if nothing had happened, he leaned back into his seat and closed his eyes.
I was left speechless.
Was he asleep? Or just pretending?
His words echoed in my mind. I want my child back.
Was he not against the baby after all?
The thought sent a wave of mixed emotions crashing through me.
But no matter what, Rebecca was a presence in his life—someone he had vowed to protect. Even if he didn’t love her, he would never abandon her.