Chapter 16
“But he said he likes my honesty, and if I insist on rejecting him, then I shouldn’t stop him from being friends with my son.”
“My son absolutely adores him. For two whole weeks, he came almost every day to play with my son, took him out, and always brought me a gift. He called it ‘loving the owner means loving the dog too’.”
Aaron felt itchy all over, finally realizing Ashley didn’t actually want him to listen-she just wanted to hurt him.
“His persistence instantly reminded me of your past self. Instinctively, I felt he wasn’t sincere enough, I questioned his motives. But hearts differ-thanks to you, I’ve learned to tell them apart. Then I was moved, we got together. Ev- ery morning, he gives me a good morning kiss-”
“Enough!” Aaron cut her off loudly.
Ashley’s expression was mocking, intensely mocking.
“What’s the matter? I’m having a sweet romance with him. You dragged me and the child away-isn’t this exactly what you wanted to hear?”
Aaron’s eyes reddened. Each breath scraped his lungs, pain radiating through his body.
“You know perfectly well…”
“Are you even worthy?” Ashley said coldly. “In exchange, I wouldn’t mind hearing about your love story with Nicole.”
Aaron completely shut down.
Staring at the scenery blurring past the window, uncontrollable panic sprouted in his chest and spread through his limbs.
He didn’t return to Philadelphia immediately, nor did he stay in Australia-this soil felt unsafe.
He took both to America, where Ashley had once personally planned their family trip.
The entire trip, from major choices like which attractions to visit and what activities to do, down to the accommoda- tions, interior designs, and meals… matched Ashley’s original plan exactly.
That evening, Aaron personally cooked dinner for her and the child.
Ashley smiled faintly.
“You honed these skills cooking for Nicole, didn’t you? I really owe her-benefiting from her influence.”
“This dish isn’t something Rui Rui and I like. It’s Nicole’s favorite. If you want to cook for her, go back home.”
“So spicy-are you deliberately punishing Rui Rui and me?”
Throughout the candlelit dinner, Ashley criticized every detail.
Aaron felt utterly drained.
After all those years together, she’d never once spoken a harsh word to him.
But now, nothing but harsh words remained.
“What would you like to eat? I’ll make something else,” he said gently.
Ashley dropped her fork.
“After all this time, you don’t know what our son and I like? Do you even know what Nicole likes to eat?”
Aaron went back into the kitchen.
When he returned, Ashley and their son weren’t at the dining table-he found them in the living room.
“Uncle Bruce!” Rui Rui hugged his phone, grinning for the first time all day.
Ashley leaned toward the screen, her voice soft and smiling.
Aaron’s voice cracked as he gripped the steering wheel: “Tell your parents I’m sorry. Rui Rui and I will be back soon, don’t worry-”
Rage shot through him.
Aaron charged forward. “Don’t contact him!”
Ashley stared coldly.
“I’ll contact whoever I want. Bruce, water my plants. And the stuff in the fridge-”
Aaron swiped her phone away, crushing her in his arms.
“I know. I know how much Nicole living with us hurt you and Rui Rui. How my being around her tore you apart. I know… God, I know now…”
Ashley shoved him away.
“I have nothing to do with this. I’m not here to wake you up.”
Seeing her icy profile, Aaron felt utterly helpless.
Late at night, he knocked on Ashley’s bedroom door.
“These businesses are my compensation. Since I destroyed your company, I’m giving you mine.”
