Chapter 430 Gratitude
The next day
Atticus and Ashley checked out and took a taxi back to the port.
Atticus noticed Ashley looking troubled and asked, "Are you still worried about your husband?"
As soon as Ashley heard the word 'husband,' she thought of Ethan. Even though her only memory was that photo, it still evoked strong emotions in her.
Atticus said, "I couldn't sleep last night and found something. Look."
As he spoke, Atticus took out his phone and showed a few photos. The main subjects were Ethan and Ashley. They seemed to be at some venue, with Ethan kneeling on one knee and Ashley looking moved, as if it were a proposal scene.
Ashley looked at the photos, her emotions fluctuating, and her heart pounded wildly.
Ashley asked, "Where did you find these?"
Atticus replied, "On a forum. It took a lot of effort to find a few photos of you two. From the content, it seems you were very much in love before. I don't know why things turned out this way."
He added, "Strangely enough, as soon as I downloaded the photos, the forum content was deleted, as if someone deliberately erased your memories from the internet."
Ashley looked at the photos, scrutinizing Ethan's face. She knew she should hate him, but for some reason, she couldn't muster any hatred. Instead, she felt her heart flutter and even wanted to gently touch his features.
Ashley, feeling conflicted, said, "Atticus, can you give me these photos?"
Atticus replied, "Of course, I'll send them to you. But you don't seem to have a phone..."
Ashley looked embarrassed.
Atticus said, "Stop the car. We need to go to the mall ahead."
"Okay."
The driver stopped the car, and Atticus paid the fare. He and Ashley got out. Ashley asked in confusion, "Why are we going to the mall? Aren't we heading to the port?"
Atticus replied, "To buy you a phone."
Ashley's face showed a mix of emotions—surprise, shame, and being moved. She looked deeply at the man in front of her, realizing it was the first time she had seriously observed him.
Atticus had a handsome face and was about 6'1". Living by the sea for years had tanned his skin to a bronze color. Despite wearing a thin shirt, his muscular build was evident.
Such a seemingly tough and handsome guy turned out to be so considerate. Ashley couldn't help but feel grateful for his kindness.
Ashley said, "Atticus, I don't have anyone to contact. There's no need to buy a phone."
Atticus replied, "Who says so? If you don't buy a phone, how will you contact me in the future if something happens? I'm not giving you a phone for free; you can pay me back later."
Ashley looked at him deeply and asked, "Atticus, we're neither family nor old friends. Why are you so good to me?"
Atticus glanced at her, his eyes falling on her pregnant belly. He sighed and said, "Why are you looking at me like that? You don't think I like you, do you? Please, I'm not interested in other people's wives, especially pregnant ones. I'm just being kind because I feel sorry for you."
So, he pitied her.
For some reason, Ashley felt relieved and said, "Atticus, I'll pay you back once I earn some money."
Atticus smiled and said, "Alright, let's go buy you a phone and transfer the photos of you and your husband to you."
Ashley gave a faint smile and said, "Thank you."
Her smile was a blossom of joy.
Atticus's heart skipped a beat, and he turned away, not daring to look at her again.
As they walked through the mall to buy a phone, they passed by a little girl. Nora watched Ashley's back thoughtfully.
Yara said, "Nora, what are you looking at? Let's go."
Nora said, "Mommy, I think I saw Aunt Ashley."
Yara was stunned and scanned the mall. Ashley and Atticus had just entered a phone store, missing her gaze.
Yara said, "Nora, don't say that. Ashley..."
Yara's voice had a hint of tears, "Let's go. Don't mention her name. Your daddy and uncle have just started to recover, and your grandparents are still in the hospital. We can't upset them again."
Since receiving the news of Ashley's death, the White family had been deeply affected. John and Mia were hospitalized, Landon became more silent, working day and night to numb himself, and Liam initially drank every night, crying for his sister to come home. It was only recently that he accepted reality and started acting normal again...
If they heard Ashley's name again, they would surely lose it.
Nora hesitated, "But... I really..."
Yara said, "Nora, don't be naughty. You know how much Ashley's death hurt the White family. Mentioning her again would only break their hearts."
Nora lowered her head and said, "Mommy, I'm sorry."
Yara said, "Let's go!"
Before leaving, Nora unwillingly looked back and saw Atticus and Ashley coming out of the phone store. This time, Nora clearly saw Ashley's face.
Nora's eyes widened in surprise. She wanted to tell her mommy immediately, but her mommy didn't like her mentioning Ashley. After some thought, Nora chose to remain silent and followed Yara away.
Nora remained distracted.
The White Mansion
Since Ashley 'left,' the house had become lifeless.
Landon and Liam were even more silent. When Nora returned home, she hesitated about whether to tell her daddy about seeing Aunt Ashley.
At that moment, Landon received a phone call.
Whatever was said on the other end made Landon stand up abruptly, his emotions agitated, "What did you say? You saw someone who looks a lot like Ashley checking into a hotel?"
Liam heard this and stood up nervously, looking at Landon expectantly.
Landon asked, "Which hotel? Damn it, why didn't you keep her there!"
Liam, also agitated, asked, "What's going on?"
Landon said, "Someone saw Ashley, but she already checked out and left. We don't know where she went."
Nora, after much internal struggle, saw how agitated they were and said, "Daddy, I also saw Aunt Ashley at the mall today!"
Liam looked at her in shock, "Nora, are you sure you didn't mistake someone else for her?"
Nora shook her head, "I looked very carefully several times. It was definitely Aunt Ashley!"
"Which mall?"
"The Oasis Mall."
Landon and Liam, as if reading each other's minds, ran out.
They ordered, "Hurry, to the Oasis Mall!"
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