From how gently I spoke, I probably sounded like a thoughtful wife.
Ashton’s gaze on me darkened for a moment before he began to introduce the man briefly.
This man so happened to be Henry Lowell, the owner of this courtyard and heir of a prominent family of doctors. He was so passionate about medicinal herbs and ingredients that he decided to cultivate them here.
The beautiful woman with him was his wife, and the one-year-old child was his son.
After a brief exchange of greetings, I felt unsettled. I had been trying too hard to keep my pregnancy a secret from Ashton all this while; what if Henry were to reveal it?
Feeling worried, I couldn’t help but glance at Jared, hoping he would think of a way to help me.
At this moment, Mrs. Lowell returned with the freshly cooked cuttlefish stew and beamed at me. “Try some of this, Mrs. Fuller. I loved this when I was pregnant. It may taste a little strange, but my husband added some nourishing herbs into it, so they’re especially good for you. How many weeks old is your child?”
Suddenly feeling panicky, I returned a smile. “It was six weeks old, but Ashton and I hadn’t planned for the child. That’s why we decided to get an abortion.”
The woman was dumbfounded and stared at me, looking rather doubtful. “You don’t look like—”
“These are just some symptoms of false pregnancy, Mrs. Lowell. She’ll be fine as time passes. I can’t help but admire you and your husband, though. You’re both so experienced that you could tell she was pregnant just by observing her.” Jared, who was sipping some tea, finally spoke up.
Henry squinted for a moment before smiling and saying nothing more. Mrs. Lowell, on the other hand, still couldn’t seem to believe I was merely exhibiting false pregnancy symptoms.
After our meal, Henry whispered something into his wife’s ear, causing her to glance at me in surprise before nodding and leaving the room.
Then, Henry turned to Ashton. “Since you’ve come all the way here, I’ve prepared some herbs for Mrs. Fuller. If she takes them diligently, it won’t be difficult for you both to have another child.”
Ashton nodded and gazed at me emotionlessly. I couldn’t tell what he was up to.
But somehow, it felt as though he had specifically brought me over to have Henry take a look at me. As for his reasons, I truly had no idea.
Feeling perplexed, I remained silent the whole time until we left.
It was already evening by the time we got into the car. Joe couldn’t stand the sight of me, so he pestered Ashton to send me home.
Knowing they probably still had other matters to take care of, I got down and said I would take a cab.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: In Love, Never Say Never (Ashton Fuller and Scarlett Stovall)