As for myself, I have made a considerable sum from my time at Fuller Corporation as well as from the deal with OrbitTech, so I feel pretty safe going forward.
I would sell off the property I own in Glenwood Apartments and acquire a smaller unit in R Province. That would be where Summer and myself would reside.
The man was silent for some time before he regarded me. “Is there no way back for you and Ashton?”
I merely smiled. “I’d been deluding myself for far too long. Before this, I used to see that baby in my dreams, calling out for me to save him. The birthmark on his forehead was stuck in my head. Yet I keep telling myself that Ashton had no choice, that it was not what he wanted. At some point, Jackson, everyone has to face up to reality.”
He pursed his lips. “What about the Moore family? And the Stovalls? Have you thought about them?”
Summer held on tight and refused to go.
That put a smile on my face. “I had never thought about the Moores, but I’m sure Uncle Louis would understand.”
I took in a deep drawl. “John and Cameron were closely aligned back then. If Ashton knew, why do you think John would not? He knew I’m Cameron’s daughter, and knew what Ashton did. Who knows, maybe he might be in on it too. Cameron and Zachary are not foolish. How could they not know the DNA samples were tampered with?”
Jackson pursed his lips and held his tongue.
Spring arrived early in J City. After a few torrential showers, some trees had begun to sprout.
Summer had grown a few more inches. She now liked having adults bounce around with her.
Ever the efficient worker, Jackson managed to find a buyer for my unit in Glenwood Apartments within a couple of days.
When I purchased the unit years ago, I did not pay too much for it. Most of my spending went into the interiors and furnishing.
The prospective buyers were easygoing. Even though I was in a hurry to sell, they did not try to bargain and offered to take it off my hands at the market rate.
The paperwork would take some time to settle. I had wanted to go to the cemetery to visit George and Grandma for a while then.
Over the weekend, I headed out early. As Summer was still little, I did not want to take her there.
Hence, I drove down alone.
We were almost into March. The morning sun was mild. Perhaps owing to the rain, the environment glistened with dew.
Since it was still early, there were not many visitors at the cemetery. Those present stood on the slabs and paid respects to their dear and departed.
I spaced out before Grandma’s grave, transfixed upon the photograph that had been weathered brown upon the headstone.
“I’ve almost lost my way when all of you left me on my own, Grandma. Please take care of my baby on the other side…”
I breathed in deep and held my pain and my silence. May the dead be at peace, and the living be well.
The presence I sensed behind me made me froze. Without guessing, I knew it was him.
Some time had passed before I exhaled. I turned and made straight for the outside of the cemetery without acknowledging him.
As I brushed past him, my wrist was seized upon. It caught me off guard, albeit momentarily. I twisted out of his grasp and regarded him without emotion. “It’s fine even if you won’t sign on the papers. Once we’re separated for three years, our marriage will be dissolved automatically.”
“Is there no way back?”
I collected myself and scoffed, “You should have thought about that when you decided to deceive me.”
“Do you hate me?”
“I don’t hate you, Ashton. But that’s all about it.”
I felt like I have turned the corner and was ready to move on.
Physically distancing from him, I broke eye contact. “If you have ever felt anything for me at all, let me go so that we may both go our own ways. That would be for the best.”
I turned around and exited the cemetery. It was dusk by the time I returned to the Glenwood Apartments.
A voice emanated from within as I stood outside. It was Cameron’s.
I opened the door and entered.
As expected, Cameron and Zachary were seated inside the living room playing with Summer. They sat upright, seemingly as startled as a deer in the headlights.
“Y-You’re back!” Cameron was first to speak. Hers was a bundle of nerves.
I nodded. It appeared that Jackson and Nick were not around. “Did they go out?”
“No,” she replied. “Mr. Kane’s in the nursery, and Nick’s gone out to get something.”
I nodded and left it at that.
Summer extended her arms toward me. I took the opportunity to take her off their hands before I settled myself on the couch.
Cameron and Zachary exchanged awkward looks with each other.
