Accidentally Yours, My Super Rich Second Husband-Chapter 124: A Quiet Evening

The car hummed softly as Evander guided it through the busy night streets. Ashton sat quietly in the backseat, his head leaning against the window, watching the blurred scenery pass by. His expression was distant, his small fingers lightly tapping on his knees.

Delphinia, seated in the front passenger seat, turned to glance at Evander as he maneuvered the steering wheel with practiced ease. "So, where are we going?" she asked, her voice light with curiosity.

Evander shot her a quick smile before focusing back on the road. "It’s this little place Ashton and I used to go to all the time. They have great pizza, and it’s got a cozy atmosphere. It’s been a while since we’ve been there, but I think you’ll like it."

Delphinia’s eyes brightened, a smile spreading across her lips. "That sounds wonderful. I’m excited to try it out!" She shifted slightly in her seat, leaning back and looking over her shoulder at Ashton. "What about you, Ashton? Are you excited?"

Ashton barely lifted his head from where it rested against the window. "Yeah," he mumbled.

Delphinia’s brows furrowed slightly. The excitement in her chest dimmed as she noticed the faint shadow of sadness in Ashton’s face. His eyes seemed clouded, lost in thought. Is he thinking about Lydia again? she wondered, her heart squeezing a little at the possibility.

Evander must have sensed the shift in the atmosphere because he glanced briefly in the rearview mirror. "You okay back there, champ?

Ashton straightened up slightly, shrugging his shoulders. "I’m fine," he said, but his tone didn’t convince either of them.

The rest of the ride continued in relative silence, broken only by the soft music playing from the car’s radio. Delphinia kept sneaking glances at Ashton, her worry growing with each passing moment.

When they arrived at the restaurant, the warm glow of string lights hanging outside greeted them. The small, family-run establishment had a cozy charm, with its brick walls and wooden sign painted with the name, Rosie’s Table. Delphinia stepped out of the car, taking in the welcoming atmosphere.

"It’s adorable," she said, her voice filled with genuine admiration.

Evander chuckled as he locked the car. "Told you you’d like it."

Ashton climbed out of the car slowly, his hands shoved into the pockets of his jacket. He trailed behind them as they walked toward the entrance, his steps dragging just slightly.

Inside, a friendly waitress greeted them and led them to a booth near the window. Ashton slid into one side of the booth, pressing himself against the wall, while Evander and Delphinia sat across from him.

"So," Evander began, opening the menu and scanning it quickly. "This place has the best pizzas and pasta you’ll ever try. Ashton always gets the margherita pizza, right, buddy?"

Ashton gave a small nod but didn’t respond otherwise.

Delphinia opened her menu, her excitement returning momentarily as she read through the options. "Everything looks amazing. I don’t know how I’ll decide!" she said with a small laugh, glancing at Ashton. "Do you want to help me pick, Ashton?"

He shook his head, barely meeting her gaze. "You can just choose."

Evander’s smile faltered slightly, but he quickly masked it. "I’ll order for us then," he said, his voice steady. "I think we’ll start with some garlic bread and a Caesar salad. Ashton, your usual pizza?"

"Yeah," Ashton murmured.

Delphinia’s brows knitted together again as she watched him. She wanted to say something but wasn’t sure how to approach it without making him retreat further. Instead, she smiled softly and handed her menu to the waitress when she returned.

When their food arrived, the table filled with the delicious aroma of melted cheese and fresh herbs. Evander served Ashton a slice of pizza, and Delphinia took a piece of garlic bread.

"Ashton, you have to try this," Delphinia said, holding up a piece of bread. "It’s so good!"

He nodded, taking a small bite of his pizza without much enthusiasm. A faint smear of tomato sauce appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Delphinia noticed and instinctively reached for a napkin. "Hold still," she said gently, leaning over to wipe it off.

Ashton looked up at her, and for a moment, a small smile appeared on his face. It was brief but genuine, a flicker of warmth that gave Delphinia hope. But just as quickly as it came, it disappeared, replaced by a distant, almost somber expression.

Will they still love me like this when my new sibling comes? Ashton thought, his chest tightening as he imagined being pushed aside. The image of a tiny baby cradled in his father’s arms flashed in his mind again, and he suddenly felt very small.

Delphinia watched him closely, her heart sinking at the change in his demeanor. "Ashton, are you feeling okay?" she asked with concern. "You look a little pale."

Ashton shook his head quickly. "I’m fine," he said. He picked up another piece of pizza and took a bite, avoiding her gaze.

Evander and Delphinia exchanged a glance across the table. Evander raised his eyebrows slightly, as if asking her silently if she had any idea what was going on. Delphinia shook her head subtly, her lips pressing into a thin line.

Evander sighed softly, leaning back in his seat. He watched Ashton for a moment, his expression a mix of worry and frustration. Delphinia reached under the table, gently squeezing Evander’s hand. They both looked at Ashton again, their concern mirrored in their eyes.

The rest of the meal continued in near silence, the warm hum of the restaurant feeling strangely distant compared to the tension at their table. Delphinia couldn’t shake the feeling that something was troubling Ashton deeply, and Evander’s jaw tightened as he tried to think of how to address it.

Ashton, meanwhile, focused on his plate, his thoughts swirling. He wanted to believe that nothing would change, that they would still love him just as much. But the uncertainty gnawed at him, leaving him unable to fully enjoy the meal.

As they finished their dinner, the waitress returned to clear their plates, her cheerful demeanor contrasting sharply with the quiet mood at their table.

"Thank you for dining with us," she said with a smile.

Evander nodded politely, offering a faint smile in return. "Thank you." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

As they got up to leave, Delphinia glanced at Ashton again, her worry deepening. Evander placed a hand on Ashton’s shoulder as they walked out, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Ready to head home, champ?" he asked, his voice soft.

Ashton nodded, but his expression remained neutral, his thoughts clearly elsewhere.