I froze for a moment before answering, my voice low. "I'm going back to Peakville Estate for lunch. Mrs. Eriksen will be there."
John let out a quiet, mocking sound. "If I'm right, you'll lose your appetite the moment you return. Ashton has been in K City's hospital for half a month, and you haven't shown a single sign of concern. What kind of husband can accept that kind of indifference?"
As he spoke, he leaned closer, closing the space between us in a way that made my instincts tense.
I shifted away, keeping distance, and said through gritted teeth, "I don't think I can eat properly sitting with you."
"You can ignore me," he replied, his tone relaxed as his gaze drifted out the window, a faint grin on his lips. There was a quiet pressure in his presence, the kind that made it hard to stay calm.
I turned my head and noticed a black Jeep parked nearby. The window slowly rolled down.
Ashton.
