I Slapped My Fiancé—Then Married His Billionaire Nemesis novel Chapter 374

**TITLE: The Attention 374**
**CONTENT: Chapter 374 Playmates**

Ashton stood there, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that stirred a deep, almost painful nostalgia within my chest. It was a look I had seen countless times, yet it always managed to evoke a whirlwind of emotions.

My heart fluttered, a small, helpless tremor reverberating through me, as if it recognized the weight of the moment.

When I finally mustered the courage to speak, my voice emerged tight and tinged with nervousness, betraying my inner turmoil. “You… what are you doing here?” I asked, my curiosity piqued but my heart racing.

“I came to see… the babies,” Ashton replied, his tone casual, yet the underlying sincerity was unmistakable.

“Oh.”

So, that was the sole reason for his visit. A part of me felt a strange mix of relief and disappointment, though I couldn’t quite articulate why.

“How have you been these past few days?” he inquired, his eyes searching mine, perhaps hoping for more than just a simple update.

I assumed he was still fixated on the babies. “Good,” I replied nonchalantly, trying to keep my tone light. “I’ve been eating and sleeping well. The babies are fine too.”

“That’s good,” he affirmed, a hint of warmth in his voice.

“Mmm.”

We stood there, facing each other, an invisible barrier of words unspoken stretching between us. The silence grew, wrapping around us like a thick fog, until I felt compelled to break it. “Would you come for a walk with me? I go out every morning for a bit,” I suggested, my heart pounding at the thought of being alone with him.

He nodded, a small smile gracing his lips. “Take a jacket. It’s cold outside.”

I turned and retreated inside, my mind racing as I gathered some clothes, slipping into the bathroom to change. The anticipation of our walk sent butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

Stepping outside, the morning air at The Copper Spur Ranch was invigorating, crisp, and refreshing. The path that wound through the ranch was adorned with lush greenery, and every so often, a jogger would pass by, their rhythmic footsteps echoing in the stillness.

We walked slowly along the road, fingers intertwined, the warmth of his hand in mine soothing my nerves. I felt myself gradually relax, savoring the comfort of his presence.

However, as the quiet stretched on, it began to feel a tad too rigid, and I knew I had to fill the space with words. “This place is lovely,” I started, but the sentence caught in my throat as I recalled Ashton’s aversion to my gratitude. I swallowed the rest of it, opting instead for a smile that I hoped conveyed my appreciation.

His eyes flicked over my face, a fleeting moment of connection before the corner of his mouth lifted into a slight smile.

Ashton spent the entire day with me, a delightful escape from the routine. We meandered through the ranch, indulging in leisurely walks, sharing a simple lunch, and lounging in the activities room, lost in idle chatter and laughter. It was only when a call from his assistant broke the spell that he reluctantly returned to the demands of his work life.

Yvaine couldn’t resist teasing me about it when he left, and this time, I didn’t bother to deny it. I relished the fact that Ashton had come all this way, that he had missed me enough to drive forty minutes just to spend a whole weekday by my side.

“What about me?” Yvaine chimed in, her tone playful. “I ditched work too.”

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