When There Is Nothing Left But Love
Chapter 808

Chapter 808

He smiled again, gazing at me with his dark eyes. “I got someone to follow her—don’t worry about it.Originally, I planned to go out for a walk with you alone, but Joe isn’t around, and Rebecca might bebored if I left her alone in the hotel. Next time, let’s go out by ourselves, alright?”

I pursed my lips and grunted in response, sounding rather deflated. When had he become so close toRebecca, anyway?

Over the past few weeks, he had started treating her like a younger sister who had been entrusted tohis care!

He suddenly leaned closer and pinched my cheeks. It hurt a little. I looked up and met his gazedefiantly. In a low voice, he said, “Scarlett, as long as she doesn’t do anything inappropriate, can’t youjust treat her as your younger sister? Do you need to make things so difficult for the both of us? Just letgo of your grudge, won’t you?”

I frowned even more fiercely. His words had touched a raw nerve in me. Staring at him in the eye, Iasked, “Is that all I am to you? A wretched woman who has been wasting away in hatred and regret?”

Was he castigating me for acting like a woman who had been deserted by her husband?

Hearing my sudden question, the smile disappeared from his face. “Scarlett, you know that isn’t what Imeant!”

The streets were swimming with people and having an argument here would only reflect badly on us. Ipursed my lips and kept quiet.

Ashton seemed to have realized the mistake in his words, too. He tried to take my hand, but I swattedhis arm away irritably.

Here, Rebecca appeared with a couple of yo-yos in her hand and a fabulous smile on her face. “Ash,take a look at these! My brother and I used to play with them all the time, and I didn’t know they soldthem here! In fact, I thought I would never see them again!”

Ashton assented and handed me one of the yo-yos. “Do you want to give it a go?”

I shook my head. “No thanks!” I was in no mood to play.

He didn’t force the matter. Instead, he looked at Rebecca and nagged, “Don’t injure yourself!” With that,he continued walking further down the street.

Lavelian Village had lovely architecture. Usually, it would be a dream to sniff the air of Jadeboroughand have a stroll along the streets after dinner. The hawker stalls along the road were a feast for theeyes.

However, sight-seeing was best done in the right mood. I had been very happy when I came to visitwith Nora the other day, but all I felt in my heart now were bitter traces of annoyance anddisappointment.

After walking for a while more, Rebecca seemed to get a little tired. She ran over to a bench by the sideof the street and sat down. Smiling sweetly at Ashton, she exclaimed, “Ash, why don’t we rest our feetfor now?”

Throughout the whole thing, neither Ashton nor I said a word. After sitting on the bench for a fewminutes, Rebecca seemed to think of something. Pulling Ashton up, she turned to me and said, “Ms.Stovall, wait for us for a bit, won’t you? We’ll be back in a jiffy!”

With that, she disappeared into the crowd along with Ashton.

I leaned back in the bench and watched the swarm of people pass me by. The scenery would havemade me very happy on normal days, but I couldn’t replace it in me to smile today.

At that moment, the phone in my pocket started to ring. It was a K City number. Who was calling mefrom K City? I thought for a few moments, but not a single name came to mind. I picked up the phoneanyway.

Immediately, I heard the sweet voice of a little girl on the other end of the line. “Mommy, are you still atwork? Why is it so noisy in the background?”

I froze for a second. I had nearly forgotten that Summer promised to call me every night. Snapping outof my daze, I said, “Oh, I just had dinner, and I’m out for a walk now. Work is over for today.”

Summer’s voice was soft and almost ticklish in my ear. “Mommy, you have to rest well! Don’t be tootired! Mr. Fuller went to look for you today—have you met him yet?”

I nodded and smiled. “Yes, I have. Summer, who are you with right now?” With Ashton gone from thevilla, she had probably been left in the care of Mrs. Dune.

“I’m in Granny’s house! Since Mr. Fuller isn’t at home, I went to stay with Granny and Grandpa for awhile. Mommy, do you want to talk to Granny? She misses you as much as I do.”

I froze again. I wanted to turn down her offer, but Cameron was already on the phone. “Scarlett, howare you? It’s getting cold lately, so make sure to put on warmer clothes. Come back when you’re donewith your work, alright? It’s nearly the Harvest Festival—are you and Ashton going to be back in timefor it?”

Perhaps it was because we were speaking over the phone, but she sounded even older over the line.In fact, she sounded almost elderly.

I nodded and said, “We’re not sure yet, actually. I’ll get back to you closer to the Harvest Festival.” Aftera short pause, I said, “Thanks for taking care of Summer for me.”

I heard Cameron’s helpless laughter on the other end of the line. “Oh, you silly child. What’s there tothank me for when I’m taking care of my own granddaughter? Scarlett, I’m getting on in age, and I’ll begone in a couple of years. I know you still hate me deep inside, but we must look forward in life.”

I pursed my lips and didn’t say anything else.

Summer started fussing to speak to me again. She took the phone from Cameron and started tellingme about the interesting things that had happened in school. I listened half-heartedly to her, laughingslightly when appropriate.