Chapter 431
When There Is Nothing Left But Love
Basically, all the gossips revolving around Nancy was related to Ashton. Anyhow, the magazine did not
publish his front profile blatantly.
He was looking at Nancy with his back at the camera. It seemed like a photo taken during an event.
Obviously, the reporters did that to boost the sale of the magazine.
âItâs all nonsense,â he said abruptly.
Startled by his words, I withdrew my gaze from the magazine and looked at him. âWhat did you order?â
âA family bucket, ice-cream, hamburgers, coke, and French fries.â Summer was thrilled!
I frowned. âCan we finish them?â
She sulked. âMommy, I can only eat this once a month. I must satisfy my cravings.â
Ashton concurred with her logic and it made me upset. âSummer, eating and working are the same,
donât bite more than you can chew. When you canât finish it, you waste money. When you canât deliver
a promise, thereâs a price to pay and you might even lose the person you love. Do you understand?â
A crease formed between Ashtonâs brows. âSheâs only four!â
âItâs the same even if sheâs a year old. Thereâs no need to wait until sheâs eighteen to understand the
principle that she can learn now.â I might have sounded harsh, but I strongly feel that these are things
that Summer needs to grapple with at an early age.
He sighed and indicated for us to wait at our table.
Summer seemed to have realized she over ordered. She kept silent for a while and then approached
me. âMommy, Iâm sorry. I wonât do it again.â
I nodded. My eyes were fixed on Ashton as he walked toward us.
He put the food on the table and told Summer, âEat whatever you like and enjoy yourself.â
She waited for my approval before digging in.
I did not have much appetite. The big screen caught my attention. It was still broadcasting the videos of
Nancy promoting the jewelry.
âWhether itâs Rebecca or Nancy, to me, itâs all for show. If you mind, I wonât bring along a female
companion to any social events.â He sounded firm.
I heaved a soft sigh. âYou donât need to do that. Iâve found my lifeâs goal and I know what I want. You
donât have to worry about what I think.â
He grimaced. âSo, youâre mad at me?â
I denied because I did not care. âRegardless of who youâre with, these are just tactics used by the
media to entertain its audience. They can do that at our expense, but we shouldnât dwell in it.â
A warm smile settled on his face. âIâll cook tonight.â
I chuckled.
âHuh? Didnât we plan to dine out tonight? Are we still going for a movie later?â asked Summer with a
greasy mouth.
Her reaction made us laugh. Ashton cleaned her mouth and replied gently, âWhatever you say.â
Summer made the call for the rest of the outing and the day seemed so perfect.
When we returned home, it was already late. The exhausted Summer fell asleep on Ashton.
Maybe we walked too much the entire day. My previously injured foot started throbbing painfully.
Post injury effects?
Ashton sent Summer back to her room. When he got out, he saw me pouring hot water into a bucket.
Without hesitating, he took over and tested the water temperature.
Seemingly, the water was too hot. Thus, he added some cold water. Thereafter, he untied my
shoelaces, intending to wash my feet for me.
I blocked his hands and refused. âI can do it on my own.â
He was adamant. âThe old injury hasnât healed completely. Apply some ointment after soaking your feet
in the hot water.â
As he spoke, he immersed his long fingers into the water.
Some fates are inextricably intertwined. I canât seem to get rid of him.
He helped me massaged my ankle. âThere must be many happenings going on in K City. Youâve been
staying here for a long time. Itâs time to go back.â
He lifted his head. âAre you asking me to leave?â
âItâs a suggestion.â
He kept quiet as he continued to massage my ankle attentively.
It had almost been two weeks since he came to R Province. I know how busy it could get at Fuller
Corporation. He was always seen engaging in virtual meetings on his laptop and settling a lot of
documents.
Even so, the heart of Fuller Corporation was in K City. Clearly, his stay in R City would never be a
viable long-term solution.
I was so used to having three meals a day and managing major and menial tasks in the yard.
Therefore, I was reluctant to live with him in K City and surrounded by the hustle and bustle.
It may seem that his subtle intrusion into my life has portrayed a harmonious union between us two.
Itâs actually just an illusion because he will leave ultimately.
It was a starry night. I could not fall asleep as I pondered over Summerâs future.
I knew better than anyone that she didnât belong in R Province. I might have found my peace and my
pace of life, but she was only a child who needed exposure and a better environment to learn and
enrich her life.