Chapter 52
When I woke up, the sky was dark.
The moment I opened my eyes, a man’s sleeping face caught my attention. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, and light stubble covered his chin.
He was here the whole time?
I looked around and saw four white walls—it was a hospital ward. Instinctively, I stretched my hand to my stomach, feeling uneasy. A slight bulge remained, and the pain was gone. Relief flooded through me.
“You’re awake?”
His deep voice pulled me from my thoughts. I turned to see Ashton, now awake. He rose from the chair, walked to my side, and poured a glass of water.
Placing it on the bedside table, he asked, “Do you want some water?”
His tone was unreadable, his emotions concealed. My heart pounded as I hesitated before asking, “Am I still pregnant?”
His obsidian eyes locked onto mine, cold and intense. My breath hitched as I anxiously waited for his response. Silence stretched between us before he finally spoke.
“How long were you planning to hide it from me?”
My fingers clenched the sheets. There was no easy answer. My throat tightened as I forced out, “Rebecca threatened to end her life if you didn’t make me abort the child. I… I couldn’t do it.”
His expression darkened, but I continued, “I didn’t want to lie to you. If you don’t want anything to do with the baby, we can get a divorce. We can go our separate ways. I won’t let this child affect your future with Rebecca. Don’t worry.”
“Scarlett!” he snapped, anger flaring in his eyes. “Do you really think I’m so pathetic that I don’t even deserve to be my child’s father?”
Shocked, I stammered, “It’s not that—I was just afraid you wouldn’t want the baby because of Rebecca.”
His gaze was sharp. “So you decided everything on your own?” He sneered, his voice laced with disbelief and fury.
I could feel his anger burning, but beneath it, there was something else—something I couldn’t quite place.
“That is my child, Scarlett,” he declared, his voice low and firm. “And you better take good care of it.”
For the first time, I saw Ashton angry and happy at the same time. I didn’t dare say anything more.
Not long after, a doctor entered. He glanced awkwardly at Ashton before offering his advice. “The first trimester is critical. You should be more careful and try to control yourself.”
I bit my lip as I watched Ashton’s expression shift to discomfort. Still, he nodded.
Luckily, the baby was fine. The bleeding had been caused by stress. The doctor gave a few more instructions before leaving us in silence.
I knew Ashton was still upset. I glanced at him, hesitant. “Ashton, can we go home?”
He gave me a cold look. I sighed, trying a different approach. “I didn’t eat dinner last night. I’m starving.” Pointing to my belly, I added, “The baby needs to eat too.”
I didn’t expect him to react, but he stood up. “What do you want to eat? I’ll get it for you.”
Surprised, I tugged on his sleeve and smiled cheekily. “Pork, grilled fish, and the noodles you always make.”
In truth, I just wanted to leave the hospital. It felt stifling.
He studied me for a long moment before sighing. “I’ll settle the discharge papers. Stay put.”
Then, as if reading my mind, he warned, “And don’t even think about getting up.”
Once he left, I called for the nurse to remove my IV.
“Do I need more medicine?” I asked eagerly.
She smiled. “No, Mrs. Fuller. You just need rest.”
I stiffened. How did she know my name?
The nurse packed up and glanced at me with admiration. “Mrs. Fuller, your husband is very good to you. When you were rushed into surgery, he didn’t leave your side. He looked like a helpless child waiting outside the operating room.”
I froze. Ashton… was worried about me?
A low voice broke my thoughts. “What are you thinking about?”
I looked up—Ashton was back. He held a stack of papers in one hand and a bag of medicine in the other.
“What’s that?” I asked, glancing at the medicine bag. Instead of answering, he walked over and gently helped me up. Then, without warning, he lifted me into his arms.
“Ashton, put me down! I can walk!”
He ignored me. “If you want to go home, don’t struggle.”
Mortified, I let him carry me out of the hospital, my face burning with embarrassment.
Once inside the car, he fastened my seatbelt and leaned in close. My heart pounded as his gaze locked onto mine.
“Ashton…” I mumbled.
A smirk played on his lips. “What? Shy now?”
I turned away, cheeks flushed.
The drive home was quiet, but for the first time in a long while, the silence between us felt… different.