Chapter 438 Misunderstood Relationship
Ashley returned home visibly shaken, her mind elsewhere.
Atticus was pacing anxiously in the living room. When he saw her, he called out with relief, "Pearl, you're finally back!"
Ashley looked up, noticing his concerned expression. "Atticus, what's wrong?"
"Sit down," he said. "We need to talk."
Ashley nodded. She was eager to tell him about her encounter with Garrett anyway.
They sat on the couch in a heavy silence. Atticus studied her face carefully. Despite harboring feelings for Ashley for six years, he had never intended to confess. But seeing Ethan reappear made him fear he might lose her forever.
"What is it, Atticus?" Ashley prompted.
"I... saw Ethan today," he finally said.
Ashley's eyes widened, her heart suddenly racing. Her throat went dry. "Oh," was all she could manage, her gaze dropping to the floor.
"When I was dropping Andy and Nate at preschool," Atticus continued, "I saw him there with a little girl. I don't know their relationship, but there was a bit of a confrontation. The boys met him."
Ashley was stunned. Ethan and her children had already met? And who was this little girl with him? His daughter perhaps? Despite having no memory of Ethan, the thought of him having a family with another woman filled her with unexpected bitterness.
"What did he say?" she asked.
Atticus related the morning's events, explaining that Ethan had no idea Andy and Nate were his sons.
"Pearl," he said hesitantly, "was what your sister said back then really true? I've only met Ethan once, but he seemed fair and decent. Not at all the monster we were led to believe. Could there have been some misunderstanding?"
"I don't know," Ashley admitted. "I only know my husband's name was Ethan. Everything else about him is gone from my memory." She paused before adding, "Atticus, I met King Garrett today during my milk delivery route."
Atticus looked surprised—it wasn't every day that ordinary citizens encountered royalty.
"The strange thing is," Ashley continued with a frown, "he seemed to recognize me. And he has some connection to Ethan!"
Like most people in Ferndale's Gold Valley District, they knew the king had a son called Totti Thibodeaux, though his photos rarely appeared in the media. Being busy with their dairy farm, neither Ashley nor Atticus paid much attention to celebrity gossip. They had no idea that Ethan was actually Prince Totti.
"I see." Atticus said thoughtfully as they both fell into silence, lost in their own thoughts.
After an awkward pause, Atticus cleared his throat. "Don't worry about this, Pearl. I'll ask around and see what I can find out."
Ashley nodded, giving him a small smile. He had always been there for her unconditionally all these years, making life simpler.
"There's something else," he added. "Andy and Nate are being bullied at preschool. I just found out today. Nate was pushed into a mud puddle."
"What?" Ashley jumped to her feet. "Why didn't they tell me?"
The boys always left for preschool clean and came home clean. She had no idea they'd been washing themselves in the river before coming home, afraid of worrying her.
"They didn't want you to be concerned," Atticus explained. "I've spoken to the teacher about it. We'll keep a closer eye on them from now on."
Ashley nodded firmly. "Yes, I know what to do."
"I should get back to work," Atticus said. "Shall we pick up the boys together this afternoon?"
"Sounds good," she agreed.
They headed out to the farm together. The workers, seeing them constantly side by side, had long misinterpreted their relationship.
"When do you think the boss and Pearl will get married?" one worker asked another. "They already have kids together."
"Have you noticed that Andy and Nate look nothing like the boss?" another replied.
"Maybe Pearl cheated... never thought she'd be that kind of woman..."
Unaware of these rumors painting her as unfaithful, Ashley went about her work, skillfully milking the cows while Atticus brought in fresh hay.
"Pearl, would you like to visit my father later today?" he asked as they worked.
"Of course," she replied. "We can go after we finish here."
After completing their chores and having lunch, they drove to the hospital around three o'clock.
At the hospital, Atticus's father, York Grayson, was having a coughing fit. His face turned red from the effort, and he quickly covered his mouth with a white handkerchief, which soon became stained with blood.
York stared at the bloodstain with trembling eyes and resignation.
When Atticus entered the room and saw the bloody handkerchief, he rushed forward. "Dad! You're coughing up blood? Is your condition getting worse?"
York weakly shook his head, his face pale. Looking at Atticus with hope in his eyes, he said, "Atticus, my time is running out. Could I see you married with children before I die?"
Atticus's face showed both embarrassment and sadness.
York turned his gaze to Ashley, who nodded politely. "Hello, Mr. Grayson. Atticus and I came to see how you're doing."
York gestured for her to come closer. When she sat by his bedside, he took her hand and placed it on top of Atticus's. "Pearl, you and Atticus have been together for years now, and you already have children. Could I see you walk down the aisle before my time comes?"
Ashley froze awkwardly, discreetly withdrawing her hand from Atticus's.
Pain flashed across Atticus's face. He managed a sad smile. "Dad, I've told you not to believe those rumors. Pearl is like a sister to me. We could never get married."
With his condition, Atticus had never considered marriage for himself.
"You! Atticus, are you trying to send me to my grave?" York exclaimed, pointing an accusatory finger while clutching his chest with his other hand. The emotional outburst was too much—he gasped for air before losing consciousness.
"Dad!" Atticus cried out.
"Mr. Grayson!" Ashley exclaimed at the same moment.
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