I was still steeped in anger, knowing that Hunter had cheated on Emery. And the more I looked at Ashton, the more I was reminded of Rebecca, which only made me even angrier.
“If you could tell, why didn’t you say anything? Are all men alike? Do you all always help one another keep your dirty secrets?”
“You didn’t come clean to Emery either, did you?” Ashton said with a frown.
Fine. He’s right.
“Didn’t you also think that there was nothing more to Rebecca becoming closer to you?” I retorted as a sudden urge to cry came over me.
For two years, I had been so troubled over the affairs of the heart that I never had a good night’s sleep. I continued to be plagued by those memories even to this day.
Ashton’s expression softened as he held my gaze. “If I had known I’d fall for you, I never would have made you sad.”
I bit down on my lip as I saw the sincerity in his eyes. An immeasurable amount of warmth filled my heart and I felt myself even more on the verge of tears.
Even though Ashton had made mistakes in the past, he never went to the extent of going all the way with Rebecca. On the other hand, Hunter had no problem betraying his love when faced with the temptation of the flesh.
“Can we go home now?” Ashton’s voice once again brought me out of my daze.
“You go on first. I feel like going over to Emery’s,” I mumbled, still trying to hold back my tears.
“Emery doesn’t need your pity now,” Ashton replied. “The fact that she could act like nothing was wrong even when her love rival had turned up shows how much she values her pride. Do you want to ruin that for her?”
“I don’t!”
“Then it’s best to leave it be and let her handle it on her own. Go home now. It’s almost time for your injection.”
Even after so long, Ashton still never failed to surprise me. “I thought you’d know Hunter better since you’re both men. Who knew you’d relate with Emery even more,” I remarked.
“Is that weird?”
“What do you think?”
“I don’t think it’s weird at all,” he replied as he pushed the button for the elevator. “You’re my wife, Emery’s your friend, and Hunter’s not. It’s obvious who I would understand more, isn’t it?”
When the elevator doors opened, he was quite the gentleman as he gestured for me to step in. “After you, Mrs. Fuller.”
Back at the Stovall residence, I had barely stepped into the house when I heard Summer and Emma still up and playing.
“Summer, look at the time! Why haven’t you gone to bed?”
As soon as she heard my voice, Summer dashed toward me.
“Look, Mommy! Isn’t this wooden horse cute?” Her smile was big and sweet as she excitedly showed me the toy in her hand.
“Hey Scarlett, your daughter sure is easy to please. She has so many expensive toys to choose from, yet she only likes this little horse figurine,” Emma joked.
I led Summer to the sofa and sat down with her before scrutinizing her favorite toy horse.
I honestly had no idea why she loved this toy so much. There was nothing special about it, and its craftsmanship was shoddy. I wondered why the girl would find something like this fun.
“Summer, where did this wooden horse come from?”
“Mr. Cress from school gave it to me!” she answered in her sweet, saccharine voice.
“Mr. Cress? Which Mr. Cress?”
“He’s our language teacher! He even praised me in class!” Summer said gleefully.
Seeing her so happy made me smile too. I was relieved to know that the school was a good fit for her.
Just then, John appeared on the stairs, dressed in his pajamas. “Summer, say goodbye to your mother. It’s time for bed.”
“I’m coming! Goodnight, Mommy!” Summer planted a kiss on my cheek and ran up the stairs to John.
Emma saw how well John and Summer got along together and felt a twinge of envy. “John will be a good father in the future.”
“That’s only possible if you give him a chance.”
Emma lowered her head and did not say anything.
I was about to probe her further when the nurse came in to administer my injection. I had no doubt it was John who had informed her.
