Chapter 6

I knew Ashton would come looking for me.

The video had surfaced so suddenly, and it concerned a child. He’d have to get to the bottom of it.

I just hadn't expected him to come so fast.

He was already waiting when I arrived downstairs at my apartment building.

Against the night sky, his tall, slender figure looked exactly the same as six years ago.

Except six years ago, Ashton would open his arms for me, waiting for me to rush into his embrace.

Now, he just stood there, radiating a coldness that dared no one to approach.

Brenda was a bit worried. As I got out of the car, she pulled me aside.

I turned back and smiled at her. "It's fine. If he wanted to hurt me, he wouldn't do it himself."

"True," Brenda sighed, then reminded me to talk to Ashton properly.

"You've been through so much. Good days are ahead. Don't make your life harder again!"

I smiled and nodded.

Once they left, I walked toward Ashton.

My steps were calm, as if I were meeting an old friend.

But only I knew that in the last two steps before reaching Ashton, my heart rate quickened uncontrollably.

After all, we had loved deeply once.

Because I loved him too much, when the earthquake hit, when he abandoned me without hesitation to find Camilla, I almost lost the will to survive.

Ashton knew why I dumped him.

But he never offered an explanation afterward.

And because I publicly announced our breakup, humiliating him, he let me endure cold sneers and ridicule in the industry for years.

Who could blame him? He was rich and powerful.

Even now, knowing whose fault it was, I was still the one to break the silence. "Mr. Ashton."

Ashton frowned, his voice low. "I'm still used to you calling me by my name."

I had called his name so many times before.

*Ashton, I'm almost done with work. I'm coming to find you for dinner!*

*Ashton, you've been on a business trip for a week. When are you coming back?*

*Ashton, I miss you so much.*

Six years had passed, yet the tone with which I used to flirt with Ashton, to pour out my longing, was still so vividly clear.

A surge of inappropriate regret welled up inside me. I smiled and shook my head.

"Ms. Camilla said you're getting married soon. It's not appropriate for me to call you by your first name anymore. Congratulations to you both."

Ashton said, "Do you think I can still get married now?"

Even if Camilla was still willing to marry him, willing to instantly become a stepmother, her family elders would still care about appearances and would certainly object.

I had ruined his plans again.

"I'm sorry," I quickly apologized.

"Where's the child?"