Unexpected Marriage With Mr. Leighton: Rebirth of the Villain-Chapter 302: ACCEPTANCE

"Who granted your access to this place?" Ranon asked during dinner. He placed Ashlyn in the baby seat next to him, while Eilon was next to her.

Renna eyed Ema unhappily, especially when this woman intruded on her kitchen and took over the preparation for dinner, which made her late to feed Ashlyn.

"I came here because I have something important to tell you about Daniel," Ema said softly. She took a seat next to Ranon. "I have been trying to contact you in the last few weeks, but I couldn’t get through to you."

"That doesn’t answer the question. Who granted your access?" Ranon gestured for Eilon to take his seat so he could sit next to his mommy.

The little boy was happily obliged; he was confused because his mother didn’t sit next to him. He jumped from his seat and approached Ema happily.

Meanwhile, Ema was left speechless. Ranon did it with subtlety; it seemed very natural as he continued to feed Ashlyn.

"The guards allowed me to enter when I said I was Mrs. Leighton." Ema was also surprised when she was allowed to enter. "I told them that I have important things to tell you about Daniel."

Hearing that, Ranon intended to ask Cam. Later on, he learned that the new recruit had mistaken Ema for Laurel, as she had said she was Mrs. Leighton and had mentioned Daniel.

"Ranon, I am truly sorry for your loss. I know how it feels." Ema looked sympathetic.

However, her attempt to empathize made her seem foolish, as their situations were completely different. You couldn’t even compare the two of them.

"This is hard in the beginning, but later it will be fine. You will be fine." Ema stretched out her hand to touch Ranon’s, but he glared at her, which made Ema freeze.

His eyes filled with hostility.

Ranon didn’t drag her out of the house simply because he didn’t want to do it in front of the children. If Ema came alone, he would have asked Renna to make her leave.

"I came here with Eilon because I thought Ashlyn would be lonely, and because they are close in age, I can see they are getting along well. I will bring Eilon often to accompany Ashlyn, so she will not be lonely."

However, Ranon didn’t give any reaction to whatever Ema was saying.

"Ranon... You need to think about Ashlyn. She is still very young to lose her mother; she will need a figure that will guide her."

"Mr. Leighton will always be here to guide her," Renna chimed in as she put down another dish. She had been listening to the conversation and came just in time to voice out her comment.

"It’s not the same because a mother figure is crucial for a child, especially since Ashlyn is also a girl. She needs guidance from the older woman." Ema was not happy because Renna was daring enough to talk back to her.

She was only a maid in this house, someone that Hazel brought in from the Rose family. She should return to that family now that Hazel was no longer here.

Actually, Renna was a little bit worried that Mr. Leighton would scold her for disturbing the dinner, but seeing that Ranon said nothing, Renna became bolder.

"Miss Laurel is here; she comes almost every day. Unfortunately, she can’t join the dinner because she is busy with her business. She can be a mother figure for Ashlyn. And if she needs someone way older, I am a woman too, and I am old."

Ranon smiled a little when he heard that. He imagined Hazel would have loved it.

If Laurel were here, Ema wouldn’t be able to take a step inside the house or even cook something for Ashlyn, knowing how overprotective Laurel was with the little girl.

After all, Laurel had been there since the beginning. She was the first person to visit once Ranon and Hazel accepted a visitor.

Laurel doted on Ashlyn so much that it sometimes gave Hazel and Ranon a headache.

But of course, Ema didn’t like it at all. "She has no experience with a child this young. She has... no maternal instinct as she doesn’t have a child on her own."

Ema immediately realized that she had taken things too far, but the words had been spoken.

"That crossed the line," Ranon said coldly.

"I—I didn’t mean..." Ema was upset, so she didn’t filter her words.

"While all mothers are women, not all women have the qualities or dedication required to be a good, deserving mother." Renna gave Ema a dirty look. "Especially when a mother uses their child for their own advantage."

Renna had gone too far as well. She was upset because Hazel was not gone for long, but this woman was already testing her luck to get to Mr. Leighton.

Hell, she couldn’t imagine this woman to be a mother for Ashlyn. Renna prayed Mr. Leighton wouldn’t fall for whatever trick Ema had.

On the other hand, Ema was upset. She looked at Ranon, who said nothing. He called her out when she went overboard, but he said nothing when this old maid said such a thing to her.

"Don’t you want to say something? That’s disrespectful." Ema pressed her lips. She was very upset, more so when Ranon didn’t even look her in the eyes.

"I agree with the statement." And that was all Ranon’s comment, which pissed Ema off even more. "Renna, see her off. I will bathe Ash."

His daughter was a little bit sweaty after she played with Eilon.

"Yes, sure."

After that, Ranon picked Ashlyn up and walked away without saying anything to Ema, while Eilon looked at him with confusion.

Seeing how Ranon ignored this woman, Renna smirked. "If you are done, I will escort you to the exit." She then sashayed away from the dining table. She was clearly mocking Ema.

In the end, it was only Ema at the dining table with Eilon, who looked at her with confusion.

"Mom, why doesn’t he like you?" Eilon asked about Ranon. He could tell that easily.

If even a little child could tell that, it should be very obvious for Ema. Yet, she refused to acknowledge that. Hazel was gone, and neither of them had a partner, and this would be her second chance.

She let him go once, and she regretted it until this very second. And now the universe helped her to get back together with him; she wouldn’t let go of this chance.

"We used to get along well, but he is upset because I did something wrong. Will you help me to be good friends with him again?" Ema then prodded. "Do you like him?"

Eilon frowned. "He is scary."

It could be counted with one hand how many times Ranon interacted with Eilon in the past, even when he came to visit.

"Don’t worry; if you know him more, he is much better than your father. He is kind; can’t you see how he treats his daughter?" Ema kissed Eilon’s cheek. "Don’t you want a father like him?"

"But he is my brother." Eilon tilted his head in confusion.

Ema hated that word so much.

***

"Do you want to go somewhere?" Ranon asked Ashlyn as they walked out of the therapy room after she had her therapy session.

It had been four months since Hazel left, but not even once had Ashlyn made a noise. She remained mute. The therapy sessions that she attended had not shown any results.

Laurel had been stressed out about whether to continue with the therapy or find another alternative since they said it could take a long time depending on the severity of the case.

Ashlyn nodded. She raised both of her arms to be picked up as they walked in the corridor.

Ranon picked his daughter up, and he furrowed his brows. The heaviness was still there when he picked up his daughter.

Ashlyn was not heavy, but it was his heart.

Thirty minutes later, Ranon drove his car up the hill to a beautiful cemetery. It was in a lovely spot where you could see the whole city.

A perfect sight for someone who loved the city lights. And it was where Hazel rested for the last time.

It took Ranon this long to be able to accept that no matter how long he waited, she wouldn’t come again to him. She was gone.

And they couldn’t meet as soon as they thought they would in their last conversation.

Ranon had asked Lucian about where Hazel was buried because he refused to hear anything about the funeral or even anything related to her.

And now, he was here with Ashlyn. The little girl was confused, but she found this place beautiful with many flowers and green grass, especially the sight of a giant tree near where her father knelt down.

"I am sorry; I have come very late..."

***

Everything was so dark. She felt the pain. These suffocating and cold feelings were familiar to her. She had gone through it once before, and she wished she didn’t have to feel the same pain anymore.

However, it was inevitable.

The darkness swallowed her when the air was sucked out of her lungs, and she was in and out of her consciousness, even though she didn’t know what the difference was.

From time to time, she would hear noises—voices from people around her talking about something that she couldn’t understand.

But at the other time, it was very peaceful...