Chapter 413
Mares
Tim delivered the fireworks directly to the Jones residence. To avoid any trouble, Ashley gave Zark an address near the Jones residence.
Around 2:30 PM, Ashley drove to the address she gave Zark. Zark had said he’d have the fireworks sent to her, but when she parked, she found him there.
Zark smiled.“You came.”
“Mm…”
Zark said, “Open your trunk.”
As she opened the trunk, Zark loaded the fireworks and some New Year’s gifts. Ashley saw the gifts and said, “The gifts aren’t necessary…”
“Betty asked me to give them to you.”
Ashley didn’t know what to say.
She
put a handmade knitted scarf and some gifts she’d bought after lunch into Zark’s car.“These are for Betty.”
Zark smiled.“Okay.”
He picked up a cute, thick rabbit lantern from those gifts.“What’s this?” Ashley said, “It’s a rabbit lantern. I bought two–one’s a snake, the other’s a rabbit. Kids should like them.”
Zark examined them. Both were charming and festive.
“I think Betty will like them. Thank you.”
“Don’t say that. I’m just returning the favor.”
Zark put them back, glancing at a nearby coffee shop.“Want to sit for a while?
“Sorry, I have things to do.” Emily was being discharged from the hospital, and she and Amanda needed to go there.
Zark was a bit disappointed.“…Okay.”
Ashley didn’t say anything else, getting back in her car and leaving.
Soon after arriving home, she and Amanda left for the hospital with some gifts. They’d called Emily ahead.
Whether to avoid awkwardness or for some other reason, only Emily and her caretaker were there when they arrived. Amanda didn’t see Sam and felt a pang of disappointment, though she
didn’t mention it.
Emily noticed that. She knew about Ashley and Chase’s impending divorce. Since Ashley wasn’t there the last time Alex came, she knew that even before the official divorce, Ashley had already distanced herself from the Sterlings. She guessed Ashley wouldn’t be celebrating the New Year at her place this year.
Emily had mentioned Sam’s custody to Chase, but he refused to budge. She’d asked him about where Sam would spend the New Year, and he’d said it was up to Sam. Sam was traveling abroad and wouldn’t return until evening; Emily hadn’t had a chance to ask him yet.
95.6%
< Chapter 413
Menu
Seeing her old friend’s disappointment, Emily felt immense guilt. But it was true that Sam was closer to Chase now. She couldn’t make promises to Amanda and Ashley without Sam’s
agreement.
Emily said nothing, but Amanda and Ashley understood what she was thinking about. They avoided the topic of Sam, chatting about other things and her leg recovery.
Emily was about to be discharged. After about half an hour, Ashley and Amanda left. Emily gave them the gifts she prepared.
Not long after, Chase arrived at the hospital. Emily knew he’d deliberately walked away to avoid Ashley. Their divorce was inevitable, and Emily knew she couldn’t stop it. But… Chase sit beside her bed, carefully peeling an apple. Emily said, “Chase, Sam is Ashley’s son. Can’t you just give custody to her?”
Chase
tone calm.“Sam
is
my
son,
too.”
continued peeling the apple, his Emily snapped, “You didn’t do your fatherly duty until two years ago and now you want custody?!” Chase put the sliced apple on a plate and offered it to Emily.“I’ve changed.”
Emily turned away, ignoring him.
Chase
down put
the plate.“Grandma,
this
is
between
- us.
Don’t interfere.”
After discharge formalities, Chase took Emily back to her place, then went to the airport to pick up Sam.
< Chapter 414
Chapter 414
