Chapter 1580
When There Is Nothing Left But Love
We sat in three cars on the way back. Ashton and I naturally sat in the same one, and he kept playing
with my fingers the whole way home. Somehow, I felt anger rise up in me at his nonchalant demeanor.
I pulled my hand out of his and sat up straight with my hands folded on my lap. I might as well have
written the words, âDonât touch meâ in marker pen on my face.
It may be true that he have gotten rid of his prejudices about Shaun, but he also tried to make me look
like the bad guy. Solving one did not mean I could forgive the other issue.
Traditionally, women were known to be detailed and have a practically perfect memory, so there was no
way he was going to fool me.
Ashton turned around instinctively at my harsh reaction and paused at my impatient expression. He
smiled casually. âIf youâre still angry about me making a decision about Shaun on my own, you can
pretty much stop now.â
âReally? Go ahead then, whatâs your excuse?â I said as I folded my arms over my chest. I was
interested to see what arguments he had cooked up this time.
He had his own ups and downs when it came to business, but when faced with his wifeâs temper, he
knew exactly what to say and do to get me to forgive him.
âHavenât you realized Audreyâs feelings?â Ashton asked me with a hint of a smile hovering on his lips.
âFeelings?â I asked, surprised.
Right as the word left my mouth, I discovered what Ashton was talking about.
Audrey clearly had some different feelings toward Shaun.
I had always been purposely avoiding the topic. For starters, I was under the impression that even
though she had been influenced by media from other countries, that didnât mean that she would mature
so quickly. Secondly, since we were talking about Shaun right now, there were so many uncertainties
that I had to take into account. If I didnât think about it, it wouldnât happen⦠or so I thought.
To me, a childâs idea of love was fickle and unstable. I knew she would eventually change her subject
after her feelings reached their peak.
Obviously, the only exception was a kidâs love for their parents.
Ashton looked away without answering me. He shifted into a more comfortable position and said
casually, âBeing a father has taught me a lot of things, and Iâve been thinking about a lot more things as
well. Audreyâs only six, but Iâve already thought about her marrying out of the family, of how she might
meet a*sholes in the future. I havenât been able to relax since thinking about the things she could go
through. Thatâs why, when Shaun started becoming the target of her affection, I wasnât willing to give
him a chance even though he saved her. Even if I became the bad guy, I didnât want to let anyone hurt
my daughter.â
I felt like laughing as I wondered when Ashton had suddenly become such a sentimental person.
Still, I did relate with him when it came to worrying about Audrey.
âThen why did you change your mind, Mr. Fuller?â I asked jokingly.
Ashton looked at me and took a deep breath, displeasure evident on his face. âHavenât we settled
everything by now? Youâve been calling me âMr. Fullerâ for a few days now. Is it really appropriate?â
âWhy wouldnât it be?â I shrugged with an innocent look on my face.
It had always been rather fun to mock Ashton a little from time to time. Appropriate or not, I felt like I
should have been allowed to have some fun once in a while.
âSo youâre saying I can stop calling you âhoneyâ and start calling you âMs. Stovallâ then?â Ashton shot
back huffily.
âHmmâ¦â I hummed, genuinely thinking about it. It sounded rather interesting, so I nodded. âSure!â
Ashton fell back into his seat as he pinched his brow and unbuttoned the first button on his shirt. He
then began taking big breaths as he pretended to feel faint.
I couldnât believe how much of a jokester Ashton was becoming, what with the whole childish act even
at his age. I burst out laughing and said, âWhat? Are you feeling sick?â
Ashton shook his head around, looking a bit helpless. âOh, definitely. I think itâs pretty bad, too.â
For some reason, his simple joke scared me badly. My smile immediately froze on my face.
The car fell into an awkward silence and Ashton realized soon enough. He opened his eyes and turned
toward me. At the sight of my pale face, he placed a hand over mine and said seriously, âIâm just
kidding. Donât take that seriously. Iâm as fit as a fiddle. I havenât paid you back for all Iâve done,
remember? Iâll be fine.â