Ashton laughed at my warning. “You don’t understand. This is between men,” he said as he took off his coat.
I shrugged. “I truly can’t understand how a man can bully the young.”
“What’s happening here?” Cameron asked with concern. She thought we were arguing.
“It’s nothing. Just something about the kids.” Ashton ended the discussion before it could continue further.
I shook my head resignedly and rolled my eyes at him when I caught his gaze. His authoritarianism and chauvinism are obvious in his actions, yet he continues to deny them. Men!
Having experienced getting his full name called by Ashton, Gregory didn’t come out of his room for dinner. Instead, he locked himself in the study. Even Audrey couldn’t get him out.
After several futile attempts by the maid, Ashton got up from his seat and strode toward the stairs.
I recognized that look. He was about to use force.
“Wait,” I called urgently, following behind him. “I’ll call him down. You stay right behind me.”
When I first met Gregory, I thought Ashton was stressing him out too much. That kind of absolute obedience and expectation to execute every order without fail is too inappropriate for a six-year-old child.
I can understand Ashton’s hope for Gregory to shoulder all his burdens. However, I hope Gregory can understand he has another parent he can relax with.
I soon arrived at the study with Ashton.
Knock! Knock!
“Gregory, can I come in?” I asked after knocking on the door twice.
A child’s opinion should always be respected.
However, there was no response from within.
Shortly after, I heard footsteps approaching the other side of the door. “Mommy, don’t worry about me. You can eat first. I should be punished for disrespecting Daddy earlier.”
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: When There Is Nothing Left But Love novel (Ashton and Scarlett )