Chapter 402
The next day, around noon, Ashley went out. She hadn’t seen Betty in a while, and Betty had been looking forward to seeing her.
As soon as she arrived at the restaurant,
Betty ran to her.“Aunt Ashley!”
Ashley smiled, hugging her.“Betty, so good to see you again.”
This was Ashley’s first time at this restaurant. She found the food delicious.
Zark had booked movie tickets for 1:00 PM. After lunch, they went to the cinema to collect them. Then, Betty said she wanted popcorn. Zark asked, “Large or small?”
“Large! For me, you, and Aunt Ashley!”
Zark smiled.“Okay.”
In the cinema, Betty sat in the middle, holding the popcorn. She urged Ashley to have some while eating happily. Ashley took a piece. Then Betty urged Zark.
It was a new animated film for children. The story was engaging; Ashley found it interesting. The three of them ate popcorn and watched the movie. When Ashley reached for more popcorn, Zark’s hand covered hers. Both of them froze. Zark removed his hand.“Sorry.”
Ashley thought this accident wasn’t a big deal.“It’s okay.”
Betty was engrossed in the movie. Ashley didn’t reach for more popcorn because there wasn’t much left. Zark, on the other hand, thought she was avoiding him. He didn’t eat any more either. Betty needed to use the restroom; Ashley took her. Zark said, “Thank you.
“You’re welcome.”
As they left the restroom, a young boy emerged from the men’s room. He was Mitch, Linda’s son. He saw Ashley and Betty but didn’t greet them, because he disliked Ashley. Linda was on the phone and didn’t see Ashley.
Later, Mitch, feeling bored, mentioned he had seen Ashley.“Mom, I saw Aunt Ashley.” Linda wasn’t interested.“Oh really?”
“Yes, she was with a child, but not Sam.”
Linda still wasn’t interested. She assumed it was
a
child of Ashley’s family.
They went to Emily’s. Alex was already there, entertaining guests with Chase.
Though Mitch was afraid of Chase, he greeted them.
Sam was playing with a puzzle. Linda asked Mitch to join Sam.
Mitch sat down.“Hi, Sam.”
Sam nodded.
While playing, Mitch said, “I saw your mom today.”
Sam looked up.“You saw my mom? Where?”
“At the cinema.”
Sam pursed his lips.“Impossible! My mom is busy. You had the wrong guy.”
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Mitch was unhappy.“I didn’t. It was your mom.”
Menu
“You’re lying!” Sam didn’t believe him. He’d called his mom last night and this morning. It was impossible that she went to the cinema without telling him.
“I’m not lying!” Mitch insisted.“She was with a girl about your height. She’s super cute!”
Sam had decided to ignore him, but now he was furious. He grabbed some puzzle pieces and threw them at Mitch.“Impossible! Stop lying!”
Mitch was also angered. He threw pieces back at Sam.“I’m not lying!”
“You-”
“What’s going on?” Chase and the guests heard the commotion. Lily rushed over. Mitch, red–eyed, said, “I said-”
“Hmph!”
Sam, red–eyed, ran to the living room.“Daddy!”
Chase hugged him. After greeting the guests, he took Sam away.“What happened?”
Sam was about to repeat what Mitch had said, but the thought that Ashley was with another child made him cry.
Lily and Linda had learned what happened. Lily asked Linda if Mitch was lying, but Linda said she wasn’t sure.
Lily said, “I believe Mitch didn’t lie, but he probably just saw someone who looked like Ashley.”
Alex had asked about Ashley when he didn’t see her at the hospital. Chase, with Sam present, said Ashley was too busy to come. The Sterlings didn’t know about the divorce. They thought Chase was telling the truth.
Lily and Linda thought Mitch might be mistaken. Ashley wouldn’t go to the movies instead of coming back to Emily’s. It didn’t make sense.
.
