Chapter 419
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Ashley, at a different restaurant, was just starting dinner when her phone buzzed twice. It was Cindy. She opened the messages and saw two pictures of Chase and Tanya. Before she could close it, Cindy called.
“Ashley, did you see the pictures I sent you?!”
Ashley had only looked at one of them; she didn’t intend to look at the other.“Yes.”
“My friend sent the first photo to me last night, saying she saw them at a hotel. On New Year’s Eve! They went to a hotel?! Aren’t they desperate?!”
Ashley remained impassive, merely murmuring, “Mm.”
“The second one is even more gross. It was a screenshot of that bitch’s post. She posted the roses and New Year’s gifts Chase gave her at the hotel! It looked like the had just had sex! It’s disgusting!”
Ashley didn’t care.“Mm.” Then, she asked casually,“Did you eat?”
“Not yet. I went out with friends last night. I drank too much and just woke up. I forgot to send you a New Year’s greeting.”
“It’s okay.” Ashley said, “Happy New Year.”
“Happy New Year, Ashley.” Cindy wondered if she should keep talking about Chase and Tanya.“Ashley, what are you doing?”
“Having lunch with my family.”
“Oh…” Cindy scratched her head.“Sorry, Ashley. I didn’t mean to ruin your mood.” “It’s fine.” She said warmly, “Go wash up and eat something, or you’ll have a stomach ache.”
“Okay, okay.”
They chatted for a while before hanging up.
After dinner, Ashley and Amanda went for a stroll. They didn’t encounter anyone and returned home in better spirits.
The Joneses didn’t have many relatives in the city, so the holidays were relatively calm. By the evening of the second day of the New Year, Ashley had some free time and went back to work on the documents Burke had given her.
Around 10 PM, as she was about to shower, her phone rang. It was Chase. Ashley ignored it and went to shower. After showering, she was working on her laptop when she heard a car pull up outside. She paused, remembering Chase’s call. Frowning, she went to the window and saw Sam running from the car. He called Amanda, “Great–grandmother!”
Ashley checked her phone and saw a message from Chase.
“I’m going abroad on business tomorrow. Please look after Sam for the next few days.”
She
put down her phone. Sam had run upstairs and burst into her room, excitedly throwing his arms around her.“Mommy!”
Ashley caught him to prevent a fall. The scent of Tanya’s perfume wafted from him. Setting Sam’s backpack on the sofa, she stopped him from rushing to the bed.“Did you shower?”
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“Yes.”
But he still smelled of Tanya, suggesting that Tanya had either moved into Chase’s place or dropped Sam off with Chase.
Ashley said calmly, “You look dirty. Change your clothes.”
Sam thought he had probably sweated from running. He nodded and went to change. Ashley continued working.
Sam, back from the bathroom, pulled out a little rabbit lantern.“Mommy, look! A lantern!” Ashley paused. “This is…”
“Daddy bought it for me! Isn’t it cute?”
“…Mm.”
Sam turned off the lights and turned on the lantern.“Isn’t it prettier in the dark?!”
“…
Yes, it is.” She asked, “Do you like it?”
“Yes! I love it!” She pulled out another one.“Daddy bought me two! This one’s for you, Mommy. Will you
take a walk with me downstairs?”
Ashley refused.“I’ve already showered. And you’ve changed your clothes; you don’t want to get them dirty. We can do it tomorrow.”
Sam’s enthusiasm waned.“Oh…” It had been a month since he’d last seen Ashley. Seeing Ashley was interested, he didn’t insist. He set down the lantern and hugged Ashley.“Mommy…” Ashley put down her work.“Mm? What is it?”
Sam said nothing, kicking off his shoes and climbing into her lap.“I missed you so much.” He kissed Ashley’s face twice, giggling.“You smell so good.”
Ashley tightened her hug, touched his face but said nothing. She noticed a subtle change in Sam’s features he looked more like Chase now. She lowered her gaze. Noticing his bare feet, she covered them with the blanket.“How long will you be staying?”
―
Sam shook his head.“I don’t know. Daddy didn’t say. He just told me to wait for him.” Ashley softly murmured, “Mm.”
Sam remembered something, running to his backpack.“Mommy, I bought you a gift from my trip!”
Sam pulled out a crystal ball and gave it to Ashley, looking at her expectantly.
It had been a long time since the last time Sam had given her a gift.
Ashley accepted it calmly.“Thank you. Mommy loves it.”
