Chapter 344
Menu
Ashley replied, “I can’t make it.”
He called again. Ashley didn’t answer, turning off her phone. When she turned it back on after finishing her work, she saw a new message from Chase:“You’re at your family home?” Despite its brevity, the implication was clear: he’d come to her family home if she didn’t respond. Ashley clenched her phone, texting back, “What time does it start?”
Chase replied over half an hour later, “Nine o’clock.”
Ashley didn’t reply. That evening, Sam called.
Ashley answered.“Mommy, why aren’t you home yet?” Daddy said Mommy would be there for
almost nine, and she
she wasn’t home. but it was the parent–teacher
event,
Ashley said, “Mommy won’t be going back there. I’ll go straight to school tomorrow.”
Sam was surprised.“Oh…”
Ashley said, “Get some rest.”
“Okay.”
Ashley informed Tim that she would be late to work the next day.
Monday morning, she arrived at Sam’s school on time.
“Mommy!” Sam, standing beside Chase, waved excitedly.
Ashley approached. Chase greeted her.“You made it.”
Remembering his threat, Ashley ignored him, opening Sam’s tablet to check the event schedule. After a while, they took their seats.
Ms. Yang, delighted to
“Yes,” Ashley smiled.
see her, greeted her warmly.“Mrs. Sterling, you came!”
Sam brought over a flower crown for the mothers and asked Chase to put it on Ashley. Ashley said, “I can do it myself, thank you.”
