Chapter 98
Caleb smiled warmly as I spoke. “It’s no trouble at all. We’re all here to support you,” he said, his voice reassuring.
I nodded and felt a wave of gratitude toward both him and Ashton for looking out for me. It wasn’t often I had people who genuinely cared about my well-being, and it was something I hadn’t fully appreciated until now.
As the dinner progressed, the atmosphere lightened. The conversation flowed smoothly, with Martha and Dr. Linnard offering their advice and wisdom, while Caleb and Ashton discussed matters related to the hospital and business. It was nice to see Ashton so at ease, something that felt rare in his usual, more reserved demeanor.
After some time, the meal was served, and I couldn’t help but enjoy the savory flavors. The salted chicken was tender, and the signature soup was as delicious as promised.
Throughout the evening, I felt a sense of peace that I hadn’t experienced in a long while, especially considering everything that had been weighing on me. For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt cared for, as if I wasn’t alone in all of this.
When dinner came to an end, Caleb and his wife stood up, ready to leave. Ashton and I followed suit, and after a few more polite exchanges, we made our way out of the restaurant. As we stepped into the cool evening air, Ashton turned to me with a small smile.
“How do you feel?” he asked softly.
“I feel better,” I said truthfully. “Thank you for everything tonight.”
His expression softened, and he placed a hand on my back, guiding me toward the car. “Anything for you,” he murmured, his tone gentle yet firm.
As we drove home, I leaned against the car window, my thoughts drifting back to OrbitTech and the plans Ashton had in motion. It seemed like everything was moving at full speed, but for the first time, I didn’t feel overwhelmed. Perhaps I was finally learning to trust the people around me—and trust Ashton, even in this strange, complicated marriage.
When we reached home, Ashton helped me out of the car, and we made our way inside. As I settled into bed later that night, the weight of the day finally lifted from my shoulders. There was still uncertainty ahead, but for now, I felt a flicker of hope that things might be alright after all.