Chapter 1525
When There Is Nothing Left But Love
I couldnât help but feel indignant.
Right before the elevator doors closed, Ashton caught up with a gloating smile playing on his lips.
I rolled my eyes at him and refused to speak throughout it all.
As soon as the elevator stopped, I stepped out without hesitation, went to the car, picked Audrey up,
and sat inside.
âMommy, what did you leave behind?â Audrey asked innocently.
Her question left me even more exasperated. Iâm pretty sure I left my dignity behind.
âNothing.â The last thing I wanted to do was recall the reactions of those store employees. Hence, I
hastily changed the topic. âLetâs go home now, okay? Iâm exhausted and donât have the energy to talk
anymore.â I purposely inserted a whine in my tone.
âMm, okay!â Audrey got down from my lap and sat obediently. Mimicking the way adults spoke, she
instructed Joseph, âMr. Campbell, you may drive now!â
Ashton bent over to get into the car just in time to hear Audreyâs words, casting her a wounded
expression as he settled down in his seat, as though saying, âDonât you want your father anymore?â
Audrey stuck out her tongue at him and cheekily hid behind Summer, pretending to ignore him.
At that moment, how I wished I was sitting in the same car as John. At least there, he would expose the
âtrue colorsâ of this sly and shameless man.
Previously, he intentionally let Ashton believe that he was the Stovall familyâs live-in son-in-law just for
the fun of it, but I ended up getting the short end of the stick.
No, I have to find a way to cure him of his unhealthy tendency of living off his wife!
Fully absorbed in coming up with a solution, I didnât realize we arrived home until after a good few
seconds.
After passing through the gates, I noticed several trucks parked in the yard, seemingly here to transport
large items.
But the workers were making their way out, so I surmised that they were already done with their work.
The service was excellent as they made sure to avoid coming when there were many people at home,
so as to prevent accidents.
But when I returned to the bedroom on the second floor at night, every trace of happiness was wiped
from my face.
We were only out for a day, but Ashtonâs master bedroom had been expanded to double its original
size and was currently connected to the bedroom next to his.
Most importantly, the bed in the room was replaced by an excessively enormous one. If it wasnât for the
elaborate linen, one might even think that it was a communal bed stolen from a dorm.
I stood by the door, completely dumbfounded. Later on, when Audrey came over and saw the large
bed, she instantly bolted in and flopped onto it with her slippers still on. âWow! Thereâs a big, big bed!
We can sleep with Mommy and Daddy now!â
Behind me, Summer and Gregory helplessly watched the scene before them. Similar to me, they had
grimaces on their faces.
Audrey was probably the most innocent and ignorant one in this family, who was also easily satisfied.
After letting her roll on the bed for a while, Summer walked up and tried to persuade her. âAudrey, we
havenât seen each other for so long. Why donât you sleep with me tonight, hmm?â
But Audrey suddenly sat up from the bed and came up with a mischievous idea. âOkay! Summer, Greg,
Mommy, and Daddy will all sleep here!â
Summer was nonplussed and could only sit beside the bed to reason with her. âAudrey, youâre a big girl
now. You must learn to sleep on your own instead of clinging to Mom and Dad all the time,
understand?â
Audrey shook her head. âBut other kids get to sleep with their parents. I want that too. I like Mommy
and Daddy. I donât wanna sleep aloneâ¦â
Children were difficult to reason with, and were also easily hurt. As they spoke, Audreyâs eyes became
red-rimmed and her head drooped as she sobbed softly.
Of course my heart couldnât take it when I saw this. Rushing forward, I comforted her. âAlright, alright.
You donât have to leave, okay? You can sleep here with me. Youâre still small, so you can sleep on your
own when youâre older. Donât cry anymore, hmm?â
Audrey accepted my offer immediately, sniffling before returning to being all smiles. âThank you,
Mommy! I love you the most!â
Who could have resisted those large, tearful eyes of hers?
My mouth lifted into a smile. Then I told Summer to take her siblings to wash up while I, too, prepared
for bed.
After all, we were out for an entire day. Tired, I took a hot shower.
Half an hour later, I opened the bathroom door and was surprised to see Ashton there. At that moment,
he, Summer, and Gregory were huddled together and talking in hushed tones, which greatly aroused
my suspicion.