Dr. Linnard glanced at Ashton's tense expression, then looked back at me and gave a small, uncertain nod. "Sure."
I called the waiter over and had the desserts packed to go. The air between us felt tight, charged with unspoken tension that pressed against my chest in a way I couldn't ignore.
Annoyed by how Ashton stood so close, I rose to my feet and told Dr. Linnard, "I'll wait downstairs."
She nodded again, clearly uncomfortable but choosing not to interfere.
Outside, the heat lingered, so I stepped into the shade of a large tree, letting the cooler air settle around me. Ashton followed shortly after, with Rebecca trailing behind him.
The moment I saw her face, I could tell she was holding back tears. Her composure was slipping, and the emotions she tried to hide were already spilling through.
"Why did you reject my mother's suggestion?" she cried out, her voice trembling. "She's right. Are you going to waste your life on a child?"
