Accidentally Yours, My Super Rich Second Husband-Chapter 35: A New Rule

The first light of day lit up the kitchen as Delphinia tightened the strings of her apron. The house remained quiet, the only sound being her footsteps on the floor. She had woken up early again, determined to take over the responsibility of preparing breakfast for her new family.

"They’re my husband and stepson," she murmured to herself as she whisked eggs in a bowl. "Who else should take care of them if not me?"

The thought gave her a new kind of motivation she couldn’t quite explain. She wasn’t just fulfilling an obligation; she genuinely wanted to make an effort. Perhaps by starting with small acts of care, she could bridge the emotional gap she felt with Ashton and even strengthen her bond with Evander.

The smell of sizzling bacon and freshly brewed coffee filled the kitchen as she worked. She hummed softly to herself, arranging slices of toast on a plate and pouring orange juice into glasses. When everything was ready, she carried the plates to the dining table, setting them down just as footsteps echoed on the staircase.

Evander and Ashton appeared, their silhouettes framed by the morning light. Evander looked as sharp as ever, his suit perfectly pressed despite the early hour. Ashton, still rubbing the sleep from his eyes, followed a step behind, clutching his small backpack.

"Good morning," Delphinia greeted, smiling warmly as they entered the dining room.

Evander’s gaze flicked to the table before meeting hers. "You’ve been busy again," he remarked, his tone neutral but not unkind.

"Good morning," Ashton mumbled, sliding into his seat.

Delphinia took her place at the table, watching as they began to eat. She noticed the way Ashton pushed his eggs around on his plate before taking small bites and the way Evander sipped his coffee.

Halfway through the meal, Delphinia’s fingers tightened slightly around her fork. She had thought of an idea the night before and couldn’t shake the feeling that now was the right time to bring it up. She glanced at Evander, clearing her throat softly.

"Evander?" she said, her voice gentle but enough to catch his attention.

He looked up, his brow arching slightly in question. "Yes?"

Delphinia hesitated, her gaze flickering to Ashton before returning to Evander. All the words she had gone over in her head earlier seemed to blend into a confusing blur. What if they say no? The thought gnawed at her, but she pushed through.

"I was thinking," she began slowly, "about Ashton. I mean... I’d like to take him to school from now on. If that’s okay with you."

Delphinia winced, her fingers curling tightly in her lap as she braced for Evander’s response. Please say yes, she silently begged.

Evander looked at her for a long second. The pause made her heart thump loudly in her chest.

"Sure," he said finally, his tone calm. "I don’t see why not."

Relief flooded through her, but she wasn’t done yet. She turned to Ashton, her voice soft and unsure. "What about you, Ashton? Is that okay?" 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

The boy looked up from his plate, his eyes darting between Delphinia and his father. He didn’t answer right away, and Delphinia’s stomach sank.

"It’s fine if you don’t want me to," she added quickly, not wanting him to feel pressured. "I mean, I don’t want to—"

"Fine," Ashton said firmly, his quiet voice cutting through the moment.

Delphinia’s mouth fell open slightly in surprise. It wasn’t much, but it made her smile grow a little more. "Really? You don’t mind?"

Ashton nodded, his gaze dropping back to his plate.

Evander, who had been silently observing, set his coffee cup down with a small clink. "Then it’s settled."

**

After breakfast, Evander left for the office, as he usually did, while Ashton went upstairs to grab his stuff. Delphinia waited by the front door, her heart feeling strangely light. When Ashton reappeared, they headed out to the car together.

The drive to school began in silence. Delphinia sneaked a look at Ashton, who was gazing out the window, lost in thought. She wanted to say something, anything, to break the awkward quiet.

"What subjects do you have today?" she asked, her tone casual.

Ashton shrugged slightly. "Math, science, and art," he replied, his voice soft but clear.

"Art? That sounds fun. Do you like it?"

Ashton hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yeah... it’s okay."

Delphinia smiled, feeling a small sense of accomplishment. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.

The school wasn’t far; it came into sight quickly, bustling with students everywhere.. Parents stood in small clusters, chatting as their children hurried toward the entrance. A row of cars waited near the drop-off zone, their emgines running as kids hurried onto the sidewalk.

Delphinia parked and stepped out of the car, watching as Ashton did the same. Standing face to face with Ashton, she crouched slightly to meet his eyes. "Good luck today," she said, her smile soft and genuine.

"Thanks," Ashton replied, his voice almost a whisper. He adjusted the strap of his backpack, looking unsure of whether to leave just yet.

To Delphinia’s surprise, he glanced back at her. "Will you pick me up later?" he asked, his tone almost shy.

Her heart skipped a beat. "Of course I will," she said, her voice filled with warmth.

Ashton nodded, seeming satisfied with her answer. He turned and began walking toward the school entrance, his small frame disappearing into the crowd of students.

Delphinia stood by the car, watching until she could no longer see him. A soft smile lingered on her lips as she waved goodbye.

Getting back into the car, she felt a jumble of emotions she couldn’t quite pin down. It wasn’t perfect, but it was progress. Slowly but surely, she was finding her place in Ashton’s life.

She let out a satisfied sigh, asked the driver to head off, and started the ride back home, already thinking about the moment she would pick him up later that afternoon.