Chapter 392
Ashley remained calm. It didn’t mean anything. Chase’s memory was excellent. Probably he just wanted to express gratitude for their visit. Nothing more.
After dinner, Ashley and Amanda stayed for another hour before leaving. It was getting late, so Emily didn’t keep them. She told Chase, “You and Sam should go home too.”
“Okay,” Chase said. “I’ll come see you tomorrow morning.”
The four of them left the ward together. In the elevator, Chase asked Ashley,“Did you drive?”
“Yes.”
Chase didn’t say anything else, but Sam remembered something and asked, “Mommy, aren’t you going home with us tonight?”
“No, I’m taking your Great–grandmother home and staying over at her place.”
“Then I’ll stay at Great–grandmother’s too!”
Although Sam was closer to Chase, in Amanda‘ eyes, he was still Ashley’s son. Before Ashley could answer, Amanda said kindly, “Welcome, sweetheart.”
Ashley couldn’t object, but she reminded Sam, “You don’t have any clothes at Great–grandmother’s.”
Before Sam going abroad with Chase, Ashley often took him to Amanda’s. There was a closet almost full of clothes for him. But since Sam’s visits had decreased and he had grown much taller than before, they hadn’t replenished his wardrobe.
“What?” Sam looked disappointed. “Then—”
Chase intervened.“I’ll take care of it.”
Ashley paused, saying nothing. Sam was thrilled.“Yay! I get to sleep with Mommy tonight!”
Leaving the hospital, Sam happily got into Ashley’s car. Chase went to his car to get Sam’s backpack.
Sam happily accepted it.“Thank you, Daddy!”
Chase ruffled his hair, glancing at Ashley. Ashley didn’t turn around.“Sam, say goodbye to Daddy.”
Sam was really happy.“Goodbye, Daddy.”
“Goodbye.”
Then, Ashley rolled down the window, turned the steering wheel, and drove away. When they arrived the Jones residence, Sam’s clothes were already sent over. As Sam ran upstairs, Amanda told Ashley, “It’s good that he’s not preventing you from getting close to Sam.” She’d worried that Chase wouldn’t let Ashley see Sam, creating distance between them. That would be cruel.
Ashley didn’t explain, only humming in agreement, and telling her to get some rest. Then, she went upstairs.
The next morning.
The Joneses and Sam were having breakfast downstairs when the security guard announced a
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visitor. Ashley saw Chase’s car.
Sam rushed over. “It’s Daddy! Mommy, let Daddy in!”
Ashley lowered her eyes.“I see.”
Menu
The Joneses heard that. They were surprised but didn’t ask why, given Sam’s presence. Moments later, Chase arrived. Ashley met him outside.“Are you here to take my grandmother to the hospital?”
“Yes.”
Ashley nodded.“Wait a moment.”
Chase waited in his car.
Ten minutes later, Amanda came out. Chase got out and opened the car door for her. Sam was leaving for school.“Goodbye, Daddy.”
“Goodbye.”
He nodded to Ashley and the rest of her family before driving away. Ashley drove Sam to school.
At 11:30 AM, while Ashley was busy at work, Amanda called her.“The surgery was a success.”
Ashley was relieved. Moments later, Chase called. She didn’t answer. He then texted her, “We’re going out for dinner. Want to join?”
Ashley didn’t reply. He’d know what she meant.
He didn’t text again. At noon, however, Cindy called.
“Ashley, I saw your husband, no, ex–husband. He’s helping your grandmother upstairs at the restaurant!” Before Ashley could speak, she continued, “Did you two secretly get back together?”
“No.” Ashley, flipping through documents, told her about Emily’s fall and hospitalization.“We visited his grandma, and he was just being grateful.” That was also why he’d picked up Amanda this morning.
Cindy sounded dejected.“That’s it?”
“Yes.” Ashley thought his politeness was a way of reminding them that they were always outsiders to him. Only a fool would think he wanted to get back together with her.
That evening, Ashley finished work late. When she reached the hospital, it was past 7 PM. She saw Tanya leaning against a car nearby. Tanya saw her, too. Tanya’s lips pursed, staring coldly at her but saying nothing.
Ashley closed her car door, ignoring her, and entered the hospital with her flowers.
The VIP floor was quiet. As Ashley opened the door, she saw Chase, Zark, and Ethan. Remembering Tanya downstairs, she realized the four of them had come together. She didn’t know if Tanya had visited Emily.
Ethan
rolled his eyes. Zark stood up. Chase
Ashley ignored him, smiling at Emily.“Grandma.”
approached.“You’re
here.”
