Chapter 30: My Goal

Ashton’s POV

“Are you sure you want to do that, Ashton? Are you now ready to face Megan?” my sister asked as she watched me while I was clenching the football in my hand.

We were inside my room, and I was leaning on my headboard while she was standing near the open window of my room. I could feel the night breeze brushing against my skin. It was a starry night, and I could feel a pang in my chest as I remembered the many starry nights I spent with Megan in Astikoz Hills.

“Yes, I can’t take it anymore, Isabelle. I made sure my number was on the cards of all the bouquets I sent her, but I didn’t get any text or call from her,” I said as I looked at my sister, and I heard her sigh.

“Ashton, don’t expect that Megan will communicate with you. You made her suffer, and eight years is long enough for you to look for her. Do you think Megan still feels the same way about you? I want you to know that there is a possibility that you will only get hurt in the end,” Isabelle declared.

“I was hurting for eight years too, Isabelle. And this is the first time after a long time that I felt this way after I met her at the mall—and of course, after seeing my son for the first time. He looked so adorable, Belle. He is as handsome as his father,” I said, and my sister laughed and shook her head.

“You are still the old Ashton, I know. But you are right. I can see it in your eyes, and you’re not faking your smile, Ash. And I can’t wait to meet my nephew, and I can tell that he is charming just like you were at his age,” my sister said, and I nodded my head.

“I guess so. Zach said Axel looked exactly like me, and next time I want to bring you to his school so you can see him,” I said, and I couldn’t stop myself from feeling so excited.

“Just tell me when so I can clear my calendar,” my sister said, and I felt sad that she planned to leave our firm since she wanted to open her own business.

“This coming Wednesday since I promised to bring him lunch and some toys,” I said, and my sister beamed at me.

“Okay then, good luck with your plan. I just hope you will succeed,” Isabelle replied.

“Me too. I know Megan will push me away, but I will never surrender. I want to take part in Axel’s life because he is growing fast, and while he is still seven years old, I want to be there for him and play my part as his father,” I declared, and my sister gave me a mischievous grin.

“Why are you smiling like that?” I asked.

“What’s wrong with my smile, Ashton?” she asked back.

“I can tell you’re mocking me,” I declared, and she sighed.

“I’m not mocking you, but you could have told me that you’re doing all this because of Megan. Don’t use your son as an excuse. I know you want to be a father to him, but having Megan back in your life is your primary goal. You want them both in your life,” she said.

“You’re right, Isabelle. I want to have them both in my life, and I hope I’m not too late,” I said as I let out a heavy breath.

“I think you made the right decision. I want to come with you to give you moral support,” she said, but I shook my head immediately.

“No, I don’t want you to see me at my weakest moment, Isabelle. There’s a chance she will drive me away. At least no one will witness the possible humiliation I’m going to face,” I replied.

“Okay. Just remember, I’ll be here for you. You can always lean on my shoulders,” she muttered, and I smiled weakly at her.

“Thank you, Belle,” I said.

“No prob. Good night, little brother,” she said.

“Good night, big sister,” I replied as she walked toward my door. After she gently closed it, I could feel the heaviness in my heart, and I suddenly felt lonely.

I found it hard to sleep because of my excitement, and when I heard the buzzing of my alarm, I got up right away because I didn’t want to fall behind schedule. I tried to reach Megalopre early in the morning, and I didn’t care if I would wake her up early. My spy told me Megan would have an early run every weekend, so I needed to be at her doorstep before she even woke up.

I didn’t even drink coffee because I hoped she would invite me to have a cup with her. I know I was thinking ahead, but what can I do? I want her back in my life, and I can’t wait to see her. I couldn’t stop thinking about kissing her again. Even if I was confident about meeting Megan, I couldn’t deny I had doubts because deep down, I feared rejection. But I had no choice but to face her and do the right thing.

I was willing to take whatever punishment she would give me as long as she gave me a chance to be with her and Axel. I would promise Megan that I would be the best dad to our son and the most incredible husband to her—if she would only let me be part of her life once again.

As I was driving on the expressway, I couldn’t stop myself from having second thoughts. I wanted to go back to Majuscule and stay in my room the entire day. But the image of Megan and Axel haunted me whether I was wide awake or asleep.

I felt so glad Alice had called the guard on duty before I arrived at her estate, or else I couldn’t have gotten inside her property. I was impressed and fascinated by the view of the long driveway, and when I pulled over in front of her house, I was looking at an enormous mansion. I realized maybe Gael wasn’t bad after all. Of course, my girl deserved all the luxury in life with her talent, and I wanted to give her and Axel all the comfort and extravagance the world could offer. But as I looked around her estate, I realized she was already living her life like a princess.

It was still early, and I could tell the sun was about to rise. I was sitting on the front steps of the porch since I didn’t want to make a noise. Alice told me Megan didn’t want to see me because she would know right away her best friend was the one helping me, as she’s not good at hiding her emotions.

I watched the sun creep through the sky behind the white clouds, and I smiled as I felt the early morning wind touch my skin. I hoped Megan would love my attire. I was only wearing faded jeans and a white T-shirt since I wanted to play with Axel today. I realized Megan’s estate had a beautifully manicured lawn, and the Bermuda grass made her house look so inviting and relaxing.

I shook my head when I saw the beautiful garden surrounding her house. I realized she might have thrown away all the flowers I sent her since she had lovely roses in her garden. I was deep in thought when I realized it was time to knock on her door.

As I got up and walked toward the main door, I could feel my heart beating rapidly. The nervousness I felt made my hands shake. I took a deep breath to calm myself because I didn’t want Megan to think I wasn’t ready to face her. It felt like I was in senior high school all over again. I looked for a doorbell but couldn’t find one, so I knocked several times until I heard her soft voice on the other side of the door.

My heart pounded hard against my chest as I heard her unlatch the door. I could hear the creaking sound as she opened it wide. Her eyes widened in shock, and my mouth hung open as I looked at her beautiful face. I could feel my heart ache as her smile faded right away. Her entire face darkened, and she was looking daggers at me.

“What are you doing here, Ashton?” Megan asked angrily, and I couldn’t stop myself from smiling—even if she was looking at me with anger—because she called me by my first name. It meant she was ready to face me now, and I couldn’t help hoping I’d have a chance to have a civil talk with her.

“To win back your heart and claim what’s rightfully mine,” I replied with confidence, and I couldn’t stop looking at her entire face, even if she looked furious and hurt. Her angelic face was still the same, and I couldn’t deny I was still crazy about her no matter how she glared at me with resentment.

“You have nothing to claim because you lost your chance eight years ago,” she answered coldly. I could see her grip the doorframe for support because I knew she couldn’t deny it—she was feeling the same way. I could see it beneath her hard stares.

“Meg, please! Let us talk,” I begged, and she laughed.

“Talk? There’s nothing to talk about, Ashton, because what we had was over eight years ago. I came to your house that day, begging you to hear me out, but you drove me away. And now you are too late. Please leave because I don’t want to see you anymore—not even your shadow,” she hissed.

“Please let me see my son,” I said, and her face turned bright red.

“Son? What are you talking about, Pritzgold? Axel is not your son,” she said and slammed the door in my face. I felt so defeated as I stepped back. I knew I deserved all this, but I could feel the pain in my heart. I could still hear her words, and I felt horrified as I realized what I had done that day.