Chapter 414
“Daddy, Aunt Tanya!”
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Spotting Chase and Tanya at the airport, Sam broke free from the housekeeper’s hand. He ran to them and threw himself into their arms.
In the car, Sam rummaged through his little backpack, pulling out trinkets from his trip for Tanya and Chase.“Daddy, Aunt Tanya, I got you gifts!”
Tanya accepted them, gently stroking his hair. “Thank
you, Sam.”
Emily returned home, and they were going to her place for dinner. After dropping Tanya off, Chase instructed the driver to head to the Sterling residence. On the way, he worked on business. Sam played quietly.
Arriving at the Sterling residence, Sam ran inside with his backpack.“Mommy! Mommy!” Chase closed his laptop and said calmly, “Your mother isn’t here.”
Sam stopped, turning back.“Huh? Mommy’s not here?”
“No.”
“Is Mommy still busy?”
Chase ruffled his hair.“Maybe you should call her.”
“Oh…”
His mommy hadn’t answered any of his calls. It was fine when he was home, but while he was abroad, even Daddy and Aunt Tanya weren’t around. Although they called and video–chatted every day, he’d felt lonely and homesick. He’d missed his mother the most at the beginning of the trip and called her repeatedly, but she didn’t answer. He’d eventually given up. His mommy must be really busy, so he stopped calling. He’d hoped she would pick him up at the airport, but Daddy and Aunt Tanya had said they would be there, so he hadn’t mentioned it. He’d expected his mommy to be home, but…
The thought of Ashley’s absence dampened his homecoming joy.
Chase knelt, gently pinching his cheek.“Are you crying?”
Sam pursed his lips, looking away.“No!”
“You’ve given up on calling your mommy?”
Sam stayed silent, then mumbled, “Not… not really…”
Chase smiled, saying nothing more. He scooped him up.“Let’s go inside.”
In his arms, Sam’s spirits lifted.
The Sterlings were waiting for dinner. Everyone looked at them upon their arrival. Emily’s face lit up seeing Sam.“Sam’s back! Come here. Let me have a good look at you.”
Sam went to Emily, then greeted the others. Lily and Linda responded, but they didn’t seem as excited as Emily. Jake, however, was delighted to see Sam. He picked Sam up and pinched his cheeks. Sam giggled.
Jake asked Chase, “By the way, where’s my sister–in–law?”
Lily and the others had also noticed that Ashley was absent. This was odd. But they weren’t
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particularly concerned and didn’t ask.
Chase said, “She’s busy.”
Mers
Jake bought that and continued talking to Sam. Emily knew what was going on but said nothing. After dinner, Sam felt bored and called Ashley. Even on holiday, Ashley was busy. She was reviewing documents from Burke when Sam called. Seeing it was Sam, and remembering it had been nearly a month since their last meeting, Ashley answered.
Sam hadn’t expected her to answer.“Mommy!”
Ashley, focused on her laptop, replied, “Mm.”
Sam didn’t mind her coldness and said excitedly, “Mommy, I’m back!” Ashley didn’t know he’d been abroad. She simply replied, “Okay.”
Sam was ecstatic. He bounced on the bed.“Mommy, when will you be free? Will
be free? Will you come home tonight? I want sleep with you tonight! I have so much to tell you! And I miss your cooking! When are you coming home?”
Ashley didn’t tell him she wouldn’t be going back to the Sterling residence or Chase’s.“Mommy’s busy. I’ll take you out next month.”
“Next month?” It felt long, but Sam didn’t say it.“Which day?”
Ashley felt Sam’s desire to see her, even through the phone. Her grip on the mouse tightened. After a few seconds, she said, “I’ll let you know when I’ve decided.”
“Okay…”
Ashley asked, “Did you take a bath?”
“Not yet. But I will.”
“Go ahead. Mommy has work. I have to hang up.”
“We just started talking!” Sam was upset.“Mommy, we’ve only talked for two minutes! Can’t we talk longer?”
“Next time when I’m free, if you want, we can talk longer.”
Sam wasn’t happy.“But I want to talk with now!”
you
Ashley lowered her eyes, but she didn’t hang up.“Okay, what do you want to say? I’m listening.” Sam’s mood brightened. He excitedly recounted his trip, then added, “When I first arrived and you weren’t there, I really missed you.”
“…Mm, I know.”
Remembering those unanswered calls, Sam’s voice cracked.“Mommy, you must answer my Ashley hesitated.“I will… try.”
calls!”
“Really?”
“…Yeah.”
Sam
minutes, ten happy. After was
he
was finally satisfied. “Bye, Mommy.”
“Bye.”
Despite the call, Sam still felt a pang of sadness. He put down the phone and went to Chase’s study. He was in a video conference. Seeing him, he muted and turned off his camera.“What’s
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wrong? Didn’t she answer your call?”
