Well, it didn’t make much of a difference to her either way.She would just head over there immediately.
Since it was Friday, the traffic situation on the road was terrible.
By the time Ashlyn arrived at the restaurant, it was already 6:40 p.m.
Led by a waiter, Ashlyn quickly made her way over to Jenifer’s private room.
“Ashlyn, welcome,” she said fondly.
“Thank you.” Ashlyn nodded with a formal air.
“I’m sorry for coming late.It was the traffic.”
Ashlyn turned her attention to the menu.She looked at it for a while before handing it back to Jenifer.
“Please, you go first.”
Jenifer looked surprised.
This was the Ashlyn that had received insults and humiliation from the Jones family during the three years that she was married to Gordon.
In the past, Ashlyn was generous and decent.
Never had she acted as superior as she was acting now.
Even though she had come late, all Ashlyn had given was an apology without the slightest embarrassment before taking her seat as if she was the host and not the guest.
Her tone was still gentle as ever, but Jenifer could feel the deliberate alienation in her expressions and words.
Nevertheless, she pretended not to have noticed any of these and simply took back the menu.
“Okay.If you insist,” she said with a shrug.
Ashlyn visited this restaurant only one time before.She ordered the most popular dishes on the menu because the place was still unfamiliar to her.
Sitting across from her, Jenifer listened to Ashlyn’s order and then ordered a soup and dish of her own.
The waiter took the menus and left after the two women finished their orders.
Only Ashlyn and Jenifer remained in the room.
Jenifer thought she knew what she’d say to Ashlyn.But now she found herself speechless.She knew Ashlyn was not like what she used to be.
There was no use in reminding her they were once family.
Gordon was usually reserved with Jenifer, but he came and asked her about what happened with Ashlyn over the past three years.
Thinking of this, she plucked up the courage and said, “I apologize, Ashlyn.I know you’re busy, but I still asked you to come out.”
Ashlyn sipped her coffee in silence.
After hearing what Jenifer said, she smiled slightly.
“It’s okay.I should be the one apologizing.You’ve invited me out so many times and I couldn’t go.I was also late today.Sorry for keeping you waiting so long.”
Ashlyn’s words were polite but cold.It was as if she had never been married to Jenifer’s son.
The aloofness of Ashlyn’s words made it awkward for Jenifer.
Silence filled the room.
Ashlyn did not feel any awkwardness.
She thought there must be something wrong since Jenifer had tried to get an audience with her for so many times.
Jenifer’s quiet demeanor could be deceiving, Ashlyn knew.She understood the Jones family and knew Jenifer was quite selfish.She had treated Jenifer well in the past but had gotten nothing from the older woman in return.
Ashlyn poured coffee in both of their cups and put down the coffeepot.
“What can I do for you?”
Jenifer nodded and retrieved a necklace from her purse.
“Gordon’s grandmother gave me this years ago.It’s been passed down for generations.Gordon’s brother is gone so it’s not a choice between giving it to you or his wife.I’m sorry to waste so much of your time since you are busy.For three years, we were a family.I was not very good to you before, but I know you still love Gordon.He asked me a great deal about you a few days ago.Although Gordon is not close to me, he is still my son and I know him well.I can see that he had feelings for you back when you were both married.The extended matter between his dad and me was an influence on him.He’s hidden his feelings and doesn’t say enough from his heart.I know that he loves you.It was a mistake for two young people to have wasted time on past grievances no matter who was right.Everything has calmed down since your divorce almost a year ago, so I hope you can give your relationship with Gordon another chance.”
Ashlyn only smiled throughout Jenifer’s words.
The waiter came in with their food when Jenifer finished speaking.
“Let’s have dinner before we talk,” Ashlyn said.She handed Jenifer some silverware for the meal.
Jenifer looked at Ashlyn.
Ashlyn was still smiling as if she hadn’t said anything at all.
Jenifer knew Ashlyn had heard her but didn’t care.1 .
Jenifer forced a smile on her face in an effort to look happy and polite.
“Let’s eat then.”
Ashlyn didn’t say a word in response.
Instead, she swung into action and proceeded to dish out the food for Jenifer and herself.
Jenifer was speechless.
She just didn’t know what to say.
There was total silence in the room, except for the sound of tableware clashing as the women ate.
Jenifer was not in a feasting mood, so she could only take a few bites.
Ashlyn, however, had a robust appetite.She had ordered a variety of dishes and she was satisfied with how they were prepared.
When Jenifer stopped eating, she looked up and saw Ashlyn enjoying her meal with relish.
Such a sight did not do anything to improve Jenifer’s mood.
Rather, it worsened it.
Ashlyn took her time to finish her food, and when she was done, she grabbed a napkin and cleaned her hands before leaning back to enjoy a few sips from her cup of tea.
When she put down the cup, she took the piece of jewelry on the table that Jenifer gave her and returned it to the owner.
“This is for your next daughter-in-law, not me.”
As she said this, there was a slight smile on her face, but the coldness in her voice could not be missed.
Jenifer’s face fell in disappointment.
“But Ashlyn, you love Gordon very much, don’t you?”
“No.I loved him, but that was long ago” Ashlyn said.
Jenifer opened her mouth to respond, but Ashlyn was not interested in listening, and instead cut her off immediately.
“If your aim is to persuade me to get back together with Gordon, I can assure you that it will be a waste of time.I made it clear that I want nothing more to do with Gordon, and I don’t go back on my word.The Jones family is too good enough for me, and so is your son, Gordon.No ordinary person is fit to become your daughter-in-law.”
Even though Jenifer was used to enduring scolding and humiliation, only Nathaniel dared to put her through such.
Ashlyn had been very respectful to her when she was Gordon’s wife.
This was the first time she had talked to Jenifer in such a mocking tone.
“But why? Why are you doing this to yourself, Ashlyn?”
Jenifer couldn’t help but ask her.
“I’m doing nothing to myself except making myself happy,” Ashlyn retorted.
As far as she was concerned, she had done everything right and she had no reason to worry.
“I think I’d like to take my leave now,” Ashlyn said with a sneer as she got up to her feet.
“I have quite some things to do.Good night.”
“Ashlyn!”
Jenifer wanted to still talk a little more with her, but Ashlyn ignored her and walked away without looking back.
Ashlyn, on her part, wasn’t really angry, even though she was not happy with the line of discussion Jenifer had picked.She had simply gone out of her way to give the woman every reason to never seek to meet her again.
Well, it was not a total waste of time anyway.
At least, she did enjoy a good meal.
Ashlyn looked at her watch and saw that it was just half past seven.
Obviously, she did not spend much time with Jenifer.
“Ma‘am, please help me!”
Before Ashlyn could locate the source of this sudden scream, a girl ran out from nowhere and grabbed her arm.She was wearing a business suit, but some of the top buttons had been pulled off.Her hair was a tangy mess and she had only one shoe on.She was disheveled in every way and it was clear that she had just escaped from danger.
Ashlyn did not see herself as a Good Samaritan, but seeing this girl who was obviously in trouble, she knew she had to do something.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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