Chapter 367
When There Is Nothing Left But Love
In comparison, peace and harmony were whatâs best.
That night, I stayed at Glenwood Apartments and had a pretty good nightâs sleep. I didnât even hear
Summer crying from hunger in the middle of the night.
It was only the following day when Jackson asked me if Summerâs crying had bothered me that I found
out.
I shook my head and yawned. âAfter breakfast,â I said as I looked at him, âremember to accompany me
to the hospital.â
Jackson rolled his eyes. âDonât even think about it. You broke it off for four months; how could you show
up when you want to.â
Nick was done in the kitchen. He emerged, clad in a tailor-made suit, and looked very dashing. When
Jackson and I came out, he said, âIâll go into the office in a while. Itâs a busy time as we took on some
new projects. Hereâs some breakfast for you and Summer.â
I nodded and noticed that he slid an egg very carefully onto Jacksonâs plate. I felt curious. How did they
end up together?
Nick caught me looking. âDoesnât look appetizing?â he said.
I shook my head and changed the subject. âDid John leave a young lady at your company?â
Jackson pondered for a moment. âAre you referring to the one called Yvonne?â
âThatâs her.â I nodded.
Jackson paused to take a sip of milk. âI donât know whatâs going on right now with them. John told me
that it was your intention, so I took her in.â
What?
When did I say such a thing?
Jackson saw me frown. âItâs her first day today. Do you want me to keep an eye on her?â
âNo, that wonât be necessary,â I replied. âI was just curious.â
Nick was in a hurry; he left shortly afterward. Jackson and I had some breakfast, and I pestered him
again to take me to the hospital.
An hour later, we were at the gynecologistâs consultation room.
Jackson held Summer as I sat opposite the doctorâs office. I asked sheepishly, âDoctor, it was four
months since I delivered my child. Since she died, I couldnât produce any more milk. Is it still possible to
breastfeed now?â
The gynecologist was a woman of fifty or so. She cast a glance to Jackson at my side and the child in
his arms, and said, âUnder normal circumstances, that would be impossible. Of course, there is a small
chance to, as many new mothers are able to breastfeed up to six months after delivery. But it all
depends on the individual.â
After a brief pause, she continued. âWe donât recommend that you go for specialized therapy, but you
could let your husband give it a go. Usually, a combination of diet and sexual stimulation is enough to
induce lactation.â
It took a while for the full meaning of her words to register on me. I blushed furiously and was about to
retort but I stopped myself. Instead, I chose to disregard that part. âWhat do I have to pay attention to in
my diet?â
âConsume food that encourages breast milk secretion, look up herbal remedies as well. I donât have
any for sale, but I could write you a prescription for the ingredients. Other people prefer massages, but
we wonât recommend you doing that. Itâs been four months for you; if the masseuse is overly heavy-
handed, they could damage your mammary glands. Your husband could give you a hand with that. And
let your child keep trying. The pressure from her suction wonât hurt you.â
At that, she bent over and wrote my prescription. After handing it to me, she added, âThis process
would require positivity and decent sleep to work. Make sure you get plenty of those!â
I nodded, still flushed in the face. After thanking the gynecologist, we departed the hospital.
Jackson was still holding Summer. He let out a cough and he turned to me. âThis will take a toll on your
body. Summer has been on milk powder for three months, and other than being slightly frail for her
age, she doesnât appear unhealthy. Should we just forgo this?â
Studying the prescription, I pursed my lips. âSummer is my child. If I am able to breastfeed her, why
shouldnât I? We owe it to her to try. You wouldnât want her to be sickly when she gets older, would you?â
Jackson nodded. âBe that as it may, but the doctor said that it could harm you. Four months is a pretty
long time. It would be difficult to start again after that long.â
âLetâs go,â I said, in an effort to end the conversation. I reached over and took Summer from his arms
and got into the car.
Jackson got into the driverâs seat, clearly unsatisfied with the way our chat was going. But something
on the outside caught his eye and he froze.
I followed his gaze and saw a woman dressed in a hospital gown outside of the patientâs ward. She
was walking alongside a man in a black suit. He had a cold-looking demeanor.
It was clear that he had just visited the woman at the hospital, and was accompanying her for a walk
around the hospital grounds.
Jackson looked over at me. âWhatâs the situation now between you and Ashton?â
I slammed the car door shut and watched the couple return to the hospital. âContemplating divorce.â
Jackson frowned. âBecause of him and Rebecca?â
I frowned back at him. âIsnât that enough?â
He started the car without another word. After a period of silence, he said, âIf you still care about each
other, you should talk it out. Divorce is too rash.â
I didnât respond. Looking back out at the hospital, they were nowhere to be found. Ashton had already
escorted Rebecca back in.
âLetâs go! We have a herbal recipe to prepare,â I said, with as much calmness as I could muster.
Itâs been so many years; Iâm numb to these feelings. Even anger is unnecessary at this point.