“The doctor said the baby is perfectly healthy—no signs of trauma from what happened yesterday.”
"That’s such a relief," she breathed out, her voice trembling slightly.
"I saw how serious and quiet you have been ever since we arrived at the hospital. I thought something was wrong with the baby."
Her unintentional comment made Michael pause.
An uncontrollable image surfaced in his mind—standing amidst roaring flames, Ashlyn stared back at him with eyes as cold as ice.
Frowning, he reopened his inbox. However, there was still no reply. Not even a word from her.
It annoyed him. No—it infuriated him.
After all, no matter how cold or neglectful he’d been in the past, Ashlyn had always come when he called—always giving in.
But now? Now she had the nerve to ignore him?!
He let out a bitter, humorless laugh.
Silently, he escorted Daniela out of the OB-GYN wing, took her out for lunch, made sure she got home safely—and only then headed to the office.
The moment he stepped into his office, a male assistant approached him with news.
“Sir, Old Master Hudson has returned to the country. He’s called an emergency meeting with all upper management in Conference Room One.”
Without much reaction, Michael turned and began walking toward the meeting room.
As he walked, he instructed casually, “Buy a few of the latest luxury handbags and trendy jewelry pieces.”
The assistant nodded eagerly.
“Of course, Mr. Hudson. I’ll have someone send them to Miss Daniela’s residence right away.”
Michael paused, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Send them to the Roberts family’s old estate.”
In his mind, after leaving the villa, Ashlyn couldn’t possibly have anywhere else to stay except the Roberts family home.
—
One week later, late at night.
After finally wrapping up a major project, Michael returned home.
He walked into the living room, only to see a slender, graceful figure curled up on the sofa in a silk nightgown, like a little shrimp.
“Ashlyn, how many times have I told you, when I’m done working, I’ll come back. There’s no need for you to keep—”
His voice trailed off as he got closer and realized—it wasn’t Ashlyn.
It was Daniela.
His mocking tone immediately vanished.
Being stared at with such cold indifference, Daniela shivered. She looked pitiful and wronged, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“Michael... Ashlyn hasn’t returned for days.”