Chapter 623
When There Is Nothing Left But Love
Staring at the golden potato wedges, I was too full to eat anymore, but it brought back my childhood
memories.
The land in R Province was cultivable. Every year during spring, Grandma planted two acres of maize.
From soil preparation to sowing to manuring to irrigation, I had to be there to give her a hand. On our
way back, we dug up some potatoes to make potato wedges.
Sometimes, we roasted them over the fire. When they were cooked, the dark, burnt skin was peeled
and the golden potatoes smelled appetizing. With Grandmaâs homemade sauce, they were the most
delicious food I had ever eaten.
At that time, she often wiped the ashes on the tip of my nose and laughed. âWhen Letty gets married,
Iâll help you take care of your baby and feed the little one roasted potato as well.â
My eyes misted over in reminiscence. A passer-by saw tears trickle down my cheeks. He handed me a
packet of tissue and consoled me out of sympathy.
âHey, I donât know what youâre going through. But youâre still young and have plenty of time ahead of
you. No matter what problem youâre facing, hang on and donât give up. Eventually, itâll pass. Cry it out,
then start again.â
Taking the tissue from him, I nodded gratefully. With a faint smile, I gave him the potatoes wedges in
return. âThank you.â
After pulling myself together, I ambled along the street instead of hailing a cab.
Suddenly, my phone rang with a call from Ashton. âShall we eat lunch together?â
Glancing up at the sky, I actually felt that the weather in K City was getting warmer. Lifting my hand to
shield my eyes from the dazzling sunlight, I stared at the leaves on a tree blankly.
âIâm going to visit Aunt Sally.â
Pausing briefly, he said, âFlora told me that you didnât drive when you left the house. Be careful as you
move about.â
âOkay,â I replied while nodding my head before hanging up.
It was past noon. I hailed a cab and headed South.
Sallyâs house wasnât too far away. When I walked into the yard, she was about to have her lunch.
The woman was surprised when she saw me. âLucky you! Youâre here just in time for lunch.â
With that said, she stood up and took another set of utensils for me.
âLetâs eat together,â she looked at me and said.
I grinned at her and sat at the table. âMmm⦠It looks yummy.â
After lunch, Sally wanted to take a walk, so she took me and strolled around the house.
There were many people in her neighborhood. A young lady was holding her baby under the sun. She
was grinning from ear to ear while playing with the baby.
A moment later, the young lady went away. Holding my hand, Sally said expectantly, âAshton and you
need to buck up and have another baby. Iâm not working now, so I canât wait to look after your baby.â
She paused for a second and glanced at me in contemplation. âBoth Ashton and you are good-looking.
Iâm sure your baby will be beautiful and even more adorable than Ashton when he was young.â
She chuckled while letting her imagination run wild.
I plastered on a smile, but my heart felt heavy.
After we went back to her house, Sally took some clothes to the backyard, and I trailed behind her.
When I saw her washing her clothes with her hands, I squatted and helped her out.
The woman tried to stop me a few times, but she gave up as I went on washing the clothes. Letting out
a sigh, she explained, âThese are branded clothes, so Iâve to hand-wash or send them for dry cleaning.
But the laundry shop is too far from here, so I wash them myself since Iâm free now.â
I smiled and nodded in acknowledgment. âIf itâs inconvenient for you to stay alone, why donât you move
in with us? Our place has more than enough rooms. Itâll be livelier if youâre there.â
She chuckled. âHave another baby, and Iâll come over to take care of the baby.â
I didnât utter a word, so Sally thought I was shy and stopped talking about it. Standing up, she went into
the house, brought a stool, and put it behind me.
âAshton said that you often have backaches after the miscarriage. Iâve never given birth before, so Iâm
robust enough to handle this. Take a seat. Stop washing them if youâre feeling unwell.â
Initially, I wanted to decline, but I gave in to her insistence.
When we had finished washing the clothes, we sat in the yard with some fruits on the table. Pouring me
a glass of water, she said solemnly, âDonât be shy. Youâre a mother now. As for Ashtonâs and your baby,
Iâve even thought of a few boyâs and girlâs names. When the time comes, Iâll list them out for your
reference.â
The water in the glass tasted bitter all of a sudden. I swallowed it, and the bitterness lingered in my
throat.
After chatting for a while, I wanted to make a move. Before I leave, she reminded me with concern,
âHave a safe journey. Text me when youâre home.â
I turned my head around and nodded at her. Perhaps I should make time to see Cameron. No matter
how much resentment I felt toward her, she was still my biological mother.
Sally stood at the doorway and sent me off with a smile. For some inexplicable reason, a wave of
sorrow welled up in my heart. Walking over, I wrapped my arms around her. âAshton and I are not by
your side every day, so please take good care of yourself.â
She let out a hearty laugh. âHoney, why are you so sentimental all of a sudden? You can come over
whenever you want.â
I put on a smile and said in a gentle voice, âI know that in your eyes, Ashton shouldnât be with an
ordinary woman like me. Though youâre not happy with me, you still care about us a lot. Youâre not his
biological mom, but you have him on your mind all the time. In fact, youâre really amazing.â