Chapter 180
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After working for over 24 hours, Ashley finally documented everything and sent it to Tim. Then, she went downstairs for breakfast.
Tim, after reviewing the documents, was ecstatic. That’s it! That’s exactly right! You’re just brilliant!”
Ashley rubbed her aching temples. T’m going to take a nap. We can talk later.”
“Okay.”
Ashley slept until 5 PM.
When she woke up, she found Sam playing Sudoku on the rug.
Seeing her wake up, Sam got up.”Mommy, you’re awake!”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Are you thirsty? Do you want some water?”
Ashley nodded. “Thank you.”
Sam poured her a glass of water and then went back to his game.
Ashley watched his back, realizing she’d been neglecting him the past couple of days.
But today was the last day of her vacation. Tomorrow she had to return to work at Eternal, and she’d have even less time for Sam.
Thinking this, she said, “Sam.”
Sam turned around.”Mommy?”
“When’s your dad coming back?”
Daddy said he wouldn’t be back so soon,” Sam asked, “What’s the matter?”
Ashley shook her head.”Nothing, go play.”
“Okay.”
After finishing her water, Ashley texted Chase.
When are you coming back? I have to go back to work tomorrow and won’t have time for Sam. Come and him.”
More than half an hour later, Chase replied.
Ill be back in two days.”
Ashley didn’t text back.
After dinner, Sam went for a walk with Amanda. Once Ashley went upstairs, Tim called.
They were discussing and refining ideas, so Ashley had the speakerphone on.
get
Sam, back from his walk, heard Ashley on the phone. She was talking to a voice he’d never heard before. Slightly unhappy, he asked, “Mommy, who are you talking to?”
‘A friend.”
‘Oh…’
Tim heard that, but he didn’t say anything. He certainly wouldn’t mention that he’d met Sam when he was little and even held him.
Ashley and Tim talked until 10 PM before ending the call.
The next day, Ashley officially returned to Eternal. Since the company started developing the two projects she’d spearheaded last year, they were severely understaffed. They had planned to hire more people at the end of last year. But both she and Tim had been too busy. Hiring was urgent, and Ashley addressed it on her first day back.
Chase had said he’d be back in two days, but ffour days passed, and he still hadn’t returned.
On the fifth day, while Ashley was at work, she got a call from Sam. “Mommy, Daddy’s back! He sent someone to pick me up.”
“Okay, Ashley said. “Remember to pack your stuff.”
Sam excitedly replied, “I know!”
Then, Sam asked, ‘Mommy, will you come and send me home?”
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Ashley still had a lot of work to do. She wanted to refuse, but lately she hadn’t been giving Sam much attention because of work. Besides, after this, Sam probably wouldn’t think about her for a while. Thus, she agreed.”Okay, Mommy will be right there.”
Sam cheered, “Yay!”
Tim had also returned from his business trip. Ashley was exhausted from work, and he wouldn’t mind if she left early to rest. But…
He snorted coldly.”Chase didn’t feel guilty at all about leaving Sam with you for his honeymoon with Tanya, and he even delayed his return. And you, the non-custodial parent, feel guilty for slightly neglecting Sam? Maybe Chase did that because he knew you were a softie.”
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.

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