Accidentally Yours, My Super Rich Second Husband-Chapter 57: A Mother Now

Delphinia stood outside Ashton’s bedroom door, clutching a pillow tightly against her chest. Her fingers nervously fidgeted with the soft fabric of the pillowcase, her mind running through every possible outcome of what she was about to do.

Would Ashton let her in? Or would he look at her with those innocent eyes and say no? The idea made her stomach churn. She wasn’t even sure why she was so nervous—he was just a child, after all.

Taking a deep breath to calm her racing heart, she raised her hand and knocked softly on the wooden door. The sound echoed faintly in the quiet hallway, and Delphinia immediately second-guessed herself. Maybe she shouldn’t bother him. Maybe she should just turn around and—

The door creaked open.

Ashton peeked into the doorway, his small frame dressed in navy-blue pajamas adorned with tiny white stars. His hair was slightly mussed, and he blinked up at her with a mixture of curiosity and sleepiness. Delphinia couldn’t help but smile at the sight, though her nerves only grew stronger under his silent gaze.

"Um... can I sleep with you tonight?" she asked with sweet voice.

For a moment, Ashton didn’t respond. He didn’t move, his wide brown eyes quietly studying her, as if waiting for an explanation. Delphinia’s heart sank slightly, and she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. Maybe this was a mistake.

But then Ashton stepped aside, silently granting her permission to enter. Relief washed over Delphinia, and she couldn’t help the way her face lit up with a wide smile.

"Thank you!" she said. With quick, light steps, she entered the room, her bare feet brushing over the carpet as she approached the bed.

Ashton scrambled back onto the bed with a small push. Delphinia followed suit, settling down beside him and pulling the blanket over herself. The bed was small but cozy, and the faint scent of fresh laundry lingered in the air. She had just nestled into the soft mattress when Ashton’s quiet voice broke the silence.

"Why do you want to sleep here tonight?" he asked with genuine curiosity.

Delphinia hesitated, adjusting the blanket around her shoulders to buy herself a moment to think. What could she possibly say? That she was here because she couldn’t bear to stay in the same room as Evander after what had happened between them? Because every time she closed her eyes, she could still feel the press of his lips against hers, the warmth of his breath, the way her world completely upside down with a single kiss?

No, she couldn’t tell Ashton any of that.

She let out a dry laugh, hoping it would mask her unease. "What, can’t I just want to spend some time with you?" she teased lightly, avoiding his gaze as she fluffed her pillow.

Ashton didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t press her further. "You can," he said simply. "I don’t hate it."

The sincerity in his words made Delphinia’s chest tighten, and she turned her head to give him a soft smile. "Thank you," she said earnestly.

Ashton’s brows furrowed slightly. "Did Dad chase you away?"

Delphinia froze for a split second before letting out another dry laugh, this one a little more forced. "Of course not," she said, waving a hand dismissively. "I just... wanted to spend more time with you. That’s all. Good night, Ashton. Have sweet dreams."

She quickly turned onto her side, pulling the blanket up to her chin in an attempt to hide her guilt. It wasn’t exactly a lie, but it wasn’t the whole truth either. What else could she do, though? Admit to a seven-year-old that she was using him as a shield to avoid her own husband? That she couldn’t trust herself to be in the same room with Evander after that kiss?

Her cheeks burned at the memory, and she automatically touched her lips. It wasn’t like it was her first kiss, but still... there had been something so intense, so consuming about it. The way Evander had claimed her lips with such confidence, the way his tongue and teeth had sent shivers down her spine—it was completely unfamiliar and yet strangely intoxicating.

But the real question was, why hadn’t she stopped him? Why had she just stood there and let it happen?

She let out a quiet sigh, shaking her head as if that could somehow shake the thoughts from her mind. This wasn’t the time to dwell on it. She was here now, safe in Ashton’s room, and that was all that mattered.

"Delphinia?" Ashton’s voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her back to the present.

"Hm?" she murmured, turning slightly to face him.

"Is it okay if I tell my friends at school that I have a mom now?"

Delphinia’s eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat. She turned fully to look at him, her heart squeezing painfully at the sight of his hopeful expression.

"Of course it’s okay," she said softly. "Why wouldn’t it be?"

Ashton shrugged, his gaze dropping to the blanket. "I just... I didn’t know if you’d be okay with me saying that."

Delphinia felt a lump form in her throat, and she reached out to gently brush a strand of hair from his forehead. "You can tell them," she replied. "You can tell everyone."

Ashton’s face lit up with a small, shy smile, and Delphinia couldn’t help but smile back.

As she lay back down, her thoughts began to drift once more. A mother. She was a mother now, wasn’t she? The realization settled over her like a warm blanket, both comforting and terrifying in equal measure. It wasn’t something she’d ever expected or planned for, but as she looked at Ashton’s peaceful face, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride.

She didn’t know what the future held or what challenges lay ahead, but one thing was certain: she would do everything in her power to protect this little boy and make him feel loved.

For the first time in what felt like forever, Delphinia closed her eyes with a genuine smile on her lips.