Ashton rose to his feet without speaking. The doctor came in for a quick check-up. “Mrs. Fuller is completely fine. A few more days of rest and she’ll be cleared for discharge.”
Ashton nodded. Capitalizing on his attention being elsewhere, I pushed the half-eaten bowl of soup away from me.
After the doctor left, I rose to go to the bathroom. However, my legs were not in use for too long and I toppled over the moment I put some weight on them.
Ashton’s reflexes were lightning quick. He reached out and caught hold of me. “What are you doing?” he asked sternly.
“I want to go to the washroom,” I answered, trying not to laugh. That was embarrassing.
Ashton lifted me up in his arms and carried me into the bathroom. He then threw me over his shoulder and undid my pants for me.
“Ashton, I can do this on my own,” I said hurriedly, pushing him away. “Please wait for me outside.” I was hoping he would leave before he saw how red I was.
“What’s the matter? I’ve seen every part of you before, haven’t I?” he said with a frown.
How is that the same?
I pushed him again. “It’s not the same. Please let me do this on my own. I think I can manage!”
Ashton threw my hands off bossily. “I have been changing your urine bags for the past two days,” he said. “You are my wife, I should be taking care of you. I’m sure you would do the same when I’m old and grey. Stop overthinking.”
I was speechless. He was right. After being married for so long, there wasn’t anything left to hide from one another.
It was one thing when I was comatose, but a whole other thing when I’m completely conscious. I pushed him gently. “That was different but I’m awake now. I can do this on my own. I promise to call you when I’m done, okay?”
Ashton pouted at me. “Be careful then,” he said.
I nodded.
I sighed with relief at the sight of his departing back. If not for his timeless good looks and graceful slender build, I would have assumed he was an old grumpy man.
When did he become so meticulous and fussy?
After two days of rest in the hospital, the doctor examined me one more time before declaring that I was fit to go home.
Ashton spent practically all of his time here at the hospital. He had even brought over all of my toiletries. Joseph was tasked with investigating my abduction, so the job of caring for my needs fell to Ashton.
I sat on the edge of the bed and watched him pack my clothes. “Ashton, when you’re old and broke, you could apply for a housekeeping job.”
“You think I’ll go broke?” Ashton placed my folded clothes into the suitcase and asked.
“No,” I answered after a moment’s pause. With his abilities, he would never be as poor as that.
Ashton placed the toiletries into the basin we paid for during my stay at the hospital. It was used to hold the water to clean my face when I was rendered immobile in bed.
“Do we need to bring that home?” I asked. We didn’t need that at the villa.
Ashton did not reply. It was practically brand new, it would have gone to waste if it was left here at the hospital, but also stored away without use for it if we brought it back.
Besides, Ashton was the type of man who did not concern himself with the nitty gritty aspects of whether or not a basin would come in handy someday.
The janitor smiled at me as she entered to perform her daily cleaning duties.
I’ve come to befriend her during the past couple of days. She appeared to be a mute, as she had always greeted me with a smile and nothing else.
Ashton walked up to her and placed the basin on her tray of tools. In a few gestures, he had expressed his intentions.
The lady nodded vigorously in gratitude. I did not understand much and interrupt them.
We made our way downstairs to the parking lot. As I entered the car, I teased him. “Mr. Fuller, it appears that you are becoming increasingly humble.”
Ashton chuckled lightly as he fastened my seatbelt for me. “If I remained distant and aloof, I would be missing out on the joys of life being around my wife and my children. I want to be a part of that.”
He started the car but kept his grasp on me. “That’s dangerous, Ashton,” I protested.
“Do you not trust my driving skills?” Ashton teased.
I laughed but did not refute him.
As soon as I got better, I began to keep myself occupied again. Ashton took it upon himself to investigate my abduction quietly. As I did not have connections and resources, it was difficult for me to take up that task.
Since I was in charge of the project in Lavelian Village, I had to be there naturally.
After a day’s rest at the villa, I packed my belongings and headed for Lavelian Village.
Nora had nothing much to do too. She spent her time either tailing behind Armond or enjoying my company.
There was much to do when the project started. Even Nora lent a helping hand.
After we returned to the hotel at night, Nora climbed into bed and complained, “After working hard for the entire day, I don’t even get a room, not to mention not getting paid”
