Chapter 200 Chapter 74

Chapter 200 Chapter 74
ASHLEY'S POV

Being in Dallas again should have freaked me out.

It should have, not when I still have nightmares of Genevieve's threats, not when her icy words and death promise were what held me back from telling Kelena the truth.

But somehow I wasn't scared. I was not afraid.

How could I be, when Kellan's been by my side like he was bound on protecting me at all times. We'd left Austin immediately, taking his private jet here and all the while, he gave me these sweet foot rubs that made the heaviness in my lower back lessen

I was already dozing off when we landed, a car waiting for us too, and Kellan took the wheel, driving straight to his Gran's home— Margery.

I loved the woman, she's sweet and kind with a sense of humor that has me cackling each time.

My throat tightened at the lie Kellan and I had agreed to tell her, the facade that we promised to keep.

Play husband and wife. Simple

I had no doubt that Kellan's father— Seb, already knows of our fallout, and my heart ached at the thought of facing him.

Margery and Seb were good to me. They've loved me since the first day we met, even when they knew who my family was, their love for me didn't change. They both welcomed me into their homes with wide smiles, a big embrace, and a heart full of love.

And I was going to lie to them— Margery especially. But I was going back there while pretending that things between me and Kellan were normal.

Guilt pressed like a heavy weight on my chest. Making it more difficult for me to breathe. Because the baby growing inside me wasn’t just mine. It was theirs, too. Their blood. Their family. Their granddaughter and great-granddaughter.

I wasn't just keeping Kellan in the dark, I was keeping two other people I love. Seb and Margery were more family to me than my parents ever were.

I stared out the window and blinked tears away. The car slowed as Kellan took a bend, heading into a quieter part of the city.

Margery lived in a calm and quiet retirement community. It wasn’t one of those nursing homes. Her place was a cottage, and her neighbor was full of elderly people who loved to reminisce about their days of prime, bake pie, and play bingo cards.

It's been a while since Kellan and I visited.

Her place grew nearer and nearer. And as we approached, the heaviness and ache in my chest grew taut. Margery's home was exactly as I remembered it.
Nothing had changed.

It was still lovely with the ivy surrounding her cottage, still beautiful and welcoming.

I hadn't realized how much I've missed it here till Kellan parked in front. He too watched his Gran's cottage for a moment as if he were remembering something.

Neither of us moved.

And then, finally, he exhaled and turned to me, his green eyes bright but also imploring. “Are you ready?”

To lie to Margery that nothing was wrong in our marriage, no. I wasn't.

I forced a smile. “Yes”

No matter how much it hurts me not to tell her the truth, her health was more important and I wouldn't risk that.

Kellan got down from the car and turned around to open my side, then with a warm and steady hand, he led me down.

His hand lingered in mine, threading his fingers through mine. That touch alone made me gulp.

We hadn't talked about things. About us. About how we kissed twice and how we're living together despite having been divorced.

Speaking of divorce, the lawyer never called me back to tell me if the whole process had been finalized.

My heart skipped a beat. What if the divorce hadn't been finalized at all? Does that make sense? Does that matter?

My thoughts came to a halt when Kellan knocked on her door.

He squeezed my hands reassuringly and then leaned down and...and kissed my cheek.

My stomach fluttered like a hundred butterflies were trapped inside. Kellan's eyes lingered on mine, watching me with the same love and softness I missed.

My lips parted, and just as his eyes fell on them, just as those beautiful green eyes darkened at the corners. The cabin doors opened.

“Get a room, you two.” Her voice made me flinch away from Kellan's intense gaze.

“Gran,” my words cracked, and a tear slid down my cheeks. I threw myself at her, hugging her tight.

Gran hugged me like a mother would, like Genevieve should have. “It's been a long time Ashley. You hardly ever visit these days. Is my pie not tasty enough to draw you back from Austin?”

I let out a watery laugh and pulled back, surveying Gran's face. At seventy-five, her hair was all grey now, the soft curls not as lush as they had once been. But she wore her age with pride. Margery Langston's wrinkles didn't stop her from adding a layer of lip gloss to her thin lips.

Her back wasn't as straight as it once was, but her eyes still gleamed with the mind of mischief and joy that could light up a room.

“I see you're glowing Ashley”

My cheeks heated when her yes fell to the curve of my belly. What should I say, what possible explanation is there to give for not telling her on time that wouldn't expose me and Kellan's cover

I felt his arm slide around my waist, and Kellan's smile was filled with so much pride and happiness that it made my heart bleed over again.

He beamed at his Gran, “We wanted to surprise you with the news of your great-grandbaby,” he galnced at me, then winked.

I blushed.

“But you've ruined the surprise by demanding we come.”

Gran's assertive eyes danced between me and Kellan and I could hear the blood swooshing in my ears. “Come,” she whispered to Kellan, and the moment he leaned forward to kiss her cheeks, Gran swatted his arm, hard.

“Gran! What was that for”

She didn't look at him as he took my hand and led me into her living room. Then Margery smiled sweetly at me. “I knew that was his idea. You would have told me earlier on right, Ashley?”

I gave her a smile and a nod, saying nothing else

Kellan soon caught up to us, and Gran leveled him a glare. “It took you five years to give me a great-grandchild, and you dare keep it from me?”

My cheeks turned the colour of a strawberry, but Kellan's warm and hearty laughter filled the room. He raised his arms in surrender.

“Alright Gran. That's on me. I promise I'll tell you on time for our second baby”

My eyes widened at Kellan, and a softness, a sweet tenderness passed through his face. I couldn't tell if that was part of the act or not.

Gran led me to her couch, and Kellan sat beside me. My face was still burning hot when he asked. “So why did you demand our presence, Gran. You know if you missed us, you could—”

“Oh shut up,” she rolled her eyes, and Kellan's lips shook with his held back laughter.

Gran stood in front of us and clapped her thin, veined fingers together. “ Ashley. Kellan. I have news for you too.”

Kellan opened his mouth to speak, but she raised a finger up and we both drained of colour.

There was a shiny sparkle, an engagement ring.

I froze like a statue. Kellan went pale beside me.

“Gran,” he croaked out in something like fear, staring at the ring on her finger. “What… what is this?”

Her cheeks flushed pink, and a wide grin bloomed across her face. “I’m getting married this weekend”