Chapter 15
After leaving Willowmere, it had been ages since Ashley visited her mom’s spot. Her kids sweetly agreed, thrilled about the visit.
Ashley grinned and tousled their hair. “You guys are so sweet. Grandma would be happy to know that.”
At the Anderson Villa. Tristan briefed Eric on the findings. “Mr. Anderson, we’ve located where Ms. Ashley was during that time.”
Eric sat in his study, stunned by the news, and listened intently as Tristan continued. “After she passed away in the hospital, her body was cremated, and she’s now laid to rest in the public cemetery at Serenity Hills.”
Eric was a bit disoriented. Ashley is gone? Then who is Dr. Garcia at the hospital Still in a haze, he asked, “Who handled her funeral?”
Tristan replied respectfully, “Not sure yet, but it’s likely handled by a friend of Ms. Ashley. He gave Eric a cautious look and continued, “Regarding the paternity test, are you still interested in moving forward?”
Eric sat at his desk, feeling hollowed out as if he’d been punched in the gut. Memories flooded back, especially the day Ashley left. She’d begged, saying she was pregnant, but he was too angry to believe her. Now, he couldn’t shake the thought: if he’d believed her, could she and the kids still be here! He instinctively placed a hand over his heart.
Tristan asked, his voice tinged with concern. “Mr. Anderson, are you okay?”
Eric’s brows knit together tightly. Take me there, he demanded.
Do you really want to visit Ms. Ashley’s grave?” Tristan asked.
Eric was torn. On one hand, he thought Ashley brought it upon herself, even in death. But deep down, he felt drawn to see her and those kids. They were his family, after all. Those kids hadn’t even had a chance to experience life before their tragic end. And it was ridiculous for him, Eric, the big shot in Willowmere, to see his own family die in poverty,
He closed his eyes, feeling a mix of pain and sorrow. “Set it up. And…” His eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope, “Keep pushing with the paternity test.” Even if the odds were a million to one, he wasn’t ready to give up. Maybe, his kids were still out there somewhere in this world.
Ashley brought the kids to visit her mom’s grave. Spotting Eric there from a distance, she paused with the kids, then led them to a nearby spot, observing Eric with a puzzled expression. What was he doing here? She sneered, feeling ridiculous to see his crocodile tears over his dead wife.
Back then, Eric kicked her out, leaving her hungry, cold, and pregnant. She nearly died in a car crash afterward. Fortunately, her close friend, who was also a doctor, saved her. Around the same time, there was a hospital fire, and a female body that went unclaimed got mistakenly identified as hers. Taking advantage of the situation, her friend sent her overseas and gave her a fresh start with a new identity. And the girl mistakenly recognized as she ended up being buried next to her mother.
