Chapter 486 Ashley is Pregnant and Quietly Leaves the Country
After confirming the departure time, Ashley quickly packed her belongings.
There wasn't much to pack. She couldn't go back to her rented apartment to get anything, so she told Harold to help her move stuff out and end the lease next month.
"Did you contact my brother?"
Harold couldn't relax no matter what and said sourly, "I did. I told him you're going to Sylvania in a couple of days. Family is everything, so don't be afraid of anything in the future."
Ashley rested her chin on her hand and said dreamily, "No matter how old you get, you always want to be with your parents. Maybe you should spend some time with your uncle and aunt too."
"Fine, I'll go on blind dates if I have to. It's not like it'll kill me," Harold hesitated for a moment but couldn't hold back and shared the news he had heard, "Damian has been turning Rochester City upside down looking for you these past few days. He's blown up my and Amelia's phones, and there are plainclothes security guards at the law firm every day. I secretly went to your rented place and your home, and they're all swarming with his people. Wherever you go now, he'll find you in less than three minutes."
Ashley sneered, "That's just fate. He can turn the city upside down, but he still won't find me."
"Mr. Hearst, how should I put it... Never mind, just take care of yourself!"
Ashley gently touched her belly and half-jokingly said, "Harold, if I have a child, would you be willing to be the godfather?"
Harold almost choked, "Are you pregnant?"
"Not sure."
Her period was twelve days late. The last time she was with Damian, they didn't take any precautions. What if...
But her period sometimes got delayed by half a month, so it might just be a coincidence.
"Don't be unsure! You need to confirm this. Seriously, you're so careless."
Ashley cupped her face and looked at her reflection in the mirror, her face no longer swollen.
The ointment Damian had given her worked wonders; most of the swelling had gone down overnight, and the lighter bruises were almost gone.
See, all wounds and pains will eventually pass.
"I'll find a way to test it."
"I'll have Hannah bring you some stuff."
"Okay."
That evening, Hannah arrived with a huge shopping bag filled with food and supplies. With teary eyes, she said, "My brother bought all this for you. He was so secretive and wouldn't let me see you. He said you're going to Sylvania. Is that true?"
Ashley was grateful for Harold's thoroughness. If Hannah knew there was a pregnancy test in there, she'd probably have a million questions. "Yes, but don't tell anyone. If you let it slip, I won't want you as my apprentice anymore."
Hannah pursed her lips, and tears started to fall. "Master, I don't want you to leave."
What should she do? Her idol hadn't even pursued her master yet! If the connection she introduced was broken, what then?
Without her master, who would teach her and protect her in the future?
"Don't cry. You look ugly when you cry."
Hannah sniffled hard. "Master, will you come back?"
"Depends on my mood!"
Hannah cried even harder.
The next morning, Ashley nervously took a test.
She didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Just as she decided to leave Damian, she found out she was pregnant with his child.
The two bright red lines were incredibly ironic.
Three years ago, on that rainy night, she lost her first child with Damian. That loss left her completely disheartened, leading her to sign the divorce papers and move far away to Sylvania.
Today, history seemed to be repeating itself.
But this time, she wouldn't look back.
Her hand brushed over her belly. This child, she would protect well. This was her child and had nothing to do with Damian.
Ashley called Amelia, but before she could say anything, Amelia started complaining, "Ashley, don't go out recklessly. Damian has people everywhere looking for you like a madman. Honestly, if I didn't already know what kind of person he is, I'd be moved to tears. He might find my place any day now. It's terrifying. Don't give him a chance to see you alone! Don't let him get any advantage!"
Ashley showed no emotion. "I'm leaving in a couple of days. I won't see him."
"Is everything arranged?"
"Yes, Sean is helping me."
Amelia had a knowing look. "Don't call me too much. I'm afraid he's monitoring my phone. How about leaving me a letter before you go?"
Ashley said, "Okay, I'll write you one."
The night before she left, Ashley wrote a letter to Amelia, also telling her about the baby.
At first, her tone was light and cheerful, writing freely. But as she continued, her fingers started to tremble.
Looking back over the past few months, so many things felt like a ridiculous dream.
She had returned with high hopes, only to leave with a heart full of despair.
Unconsciously, she wrote Damian's name on the blank paper.
Love had shattered. Even though the pain still lingered, it was elusive and unreachable.
All that was left was a faint sigh.
She crumpled the letter and threw it in the trash.
In the end, there was no need for any words between them.
The day she left was a bright and sunny one.
Ashley sat in the back of a military SUV, watching the streets of Rochester City recede through the window.
At a red light, Ashley took out her phone and popped out the SIM card.
As she was about to throw it out the window, her eyes were drawn to the car next to them.
The SUV's high chassis allowed her to look down into the car.
In the back seat of a black Rolls-Royce, sitting by the window, was Damian!
He was on the phone, his expression fierce, his side profile tense. From his brow to his jaw, his bones seemed more prominent than usual, as if he had lost a lot of weight, making his face look even more chiseled.
The hand holding the phone had distinct knuckles, while the other hand was clenched into a fist, as if he was holding something back.
That intense aura seemed like it could tear someone apart.
Ashley’s hand trembled, and the SIM card fell to the ground. She hurriedly rolled up the window and shrank down, almost trying to hide under the seat.
Her heart pounded wildly, and in just a moment, her palms were covered in cold sweat.
Knowing he couldn't hear her breathing, Ashley still covered her mouth, trying to minimize her presence.
Damian hung up the phone, irritably pulled out a cigarette, and rolled down the window to light it.
His gaze shifted and landed on the green military vehicle. He took a few deep drags, looking frustrated.
Thomas cautiously said, "Mr. Hearst, we've contacted the communication system to track Mrs. Hearst's phone. We should have an answer soon."
Damian wearily furrowed his brow, "Got it."
The light turned green, and the driver continued driving. Seeing Ashley's state in the rearview mirror, he asked worriedly, "Ms. Astor, are you okay?"
Ashley hastily wiped her eyes, "I'm fine. Just drive."
The car merged into the heavy traffic, and the black Rolls-Royce quickly disappeared among the sea of vehicles.
Standing on the ladder, she looked back at the scenery of Rochester City. All her emotions turned into a bitter smile at the corner of her mouth.
Sean, dressed in a suit, holding a briefcase, with neat short hair and a tall, clean-cut appearance, stood beside her.
They exchanged a smile.
Sean nodded slightly, "Ms. Astor, welcome aboard."
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