Wake Up Leave The Liar novel Chapter 48

Chapter 25

“Dad!”

“Hmm. Chase entered and went to Sam’s bed.

Ashley wanted to put Sam down, but he clung to her, reaching for Chase. Chase picked him up.

Menu

Ashley smelled his cologne with a faint, delicate woman’s perfume- the same scent she’d smelled on Tanya at the banquet. She moved away until she couldn’t smell it.

Chase gently touched Sam’s forehead, then looked at Ashley.”What’s his temperature? Has it gone down?”

Ashley repeated the doctor’s words. “His fever’s gone down, but it’s still unstable; it might return.”

Hmm. Chase sat with Sam. Sam frowned.”Dad, your jacket’s stiff…”

Chase took off his jacket and gave it to Ashley, who reflexively took it.

She held it until she smelled the mingled perfumes and remembered she was almost divorced. Before, she would have considered holding his jacket a blessing. But now, she put it aside and said to Sam, “I’ll make you porridge.”

Sam, feeling better after his parents were home, nodded.”Thank you, Mom.”

Ashley smiled and left. Chase looked at the jacket she’d discarded.

Twenty minutes later, Ashley went upstairs. She saw Chase standing by the window talking on the phone.”The fever’s gone down, don’t worry.”

She assumed he was talking to Tanya. Would Tanya really worry about Sam?

Ashley went into Sam’s room. He was asleep, sweating. The butler was wiping his sweat. She offered Ashley the towel, assuming she would care for Sam. Ashley shook her head. The butler changed Sam into dry clothes. Ashley sat on the sofa. After the butler finished, she asked, “Did the doctor leave?”

Yes.”

“What did he say? Will the fever return?” She wondered if she needed to stay.

“He said Sam should be fine.”

‘Good.” Ashley thought she could leave.

The porridge was not ready yet. Ashley went downstairs. The butler said, “I’ll watch the stove. You must be tired.”

Ashley saw Chase reading the newspaper. He glanced at her and returned to the paper. Ashley paused. Before, she would have sat beside him. But now… they had nothing to talk about. She went upstairs; Chase didn’t stop her. She was surprised. She’d expected him to confront her about “bullying” Tanya.

Sam woke up.”Mom, I’m hungry. Is the porridge ready?”

“Almost Ashley asked the butler, “Is he still feverish?”

‘No.’

Relieved, she went to the kitchen. A few minutes later, she called Sam,”Sam, the porridge is ready.”

As she served it, she saw Chase walk over,

Sam was surprised. Only one bowl? Dad’s eating too.”

Ashley hadn’t expected that. The butler said, “I’ll get another bowl.”

They ate quietly. Chase had taken off his watch; his movements were elegant. Sam ate happily. “I missed Mom’s porridge.”

The butler said, “Now that Mrs. Sterling’s back, you can have this whenever you want.”

“Yes!”

Ashley paused. Chase remained silent. Sam, remembering something, said, “Mom, will you sleep with me tonight?”

Ashley was about to refuse, but seeing his pale face, she agreed. “Okay.”

Sam had just one bowl of porridge, and Chase didn’t eat much either. Sam insisted on showering even though he was sick. After his bath, Ashley thought for a while and then went to the master bedroom. Chase wasn’t there.

She thought he’d had her things removed, but the bedroom was unchanged. Her belongings were all in their places, as if she’d never left. Het closet was

also untouched.

Perhaps it was because of Emily. Ashley got her pajamas and a towel and went to Sam’s room. Sam was playing his phone. Seeing her clothes, he asked, “Mom, are you showering here?”

Yes.’

Soon, Chase entered Sam’s room.