In Love, Never Say Never

Jackson sighed as he drove.

Back at Glenwood, I followed the doctor’s instructions with the herbal remedy. Summer began crying again. Jackson said that she’ll cry whenever she’s feeling hungry. But she didn’t seem to enjoy the milk formula very much.

Nick stayed back at the office that night. That presented a dilemma, as he was the handiest with Summer. Without him, Jackson and I were at a loss in regards to her constant crying.

The only thing we could do was to hold her and paced around the room. It wasn’t easy, but we managed to get her down for a nap.

The remedy was ready. I helped myself to a large bowl of it. Jackson stared at me glumly. “The smell alone is bitter enough to make me gag. Are you sure you want to do this?”

I nodded, took a deep breath, pinched my nose, and gulped it all down. It was bitter as hell, and the honey lozenge that Jackson handed me afterward couldn’t have been more welcome.

My stomach wasn’t agreeable, either. It rumbled on and on like a grouchy old dog. I went back into the bedroom and lay down for a bit. Not long after, Nick came home and took Summer and Jackson out for a walk.

I was almost asleep when the phone rang; It was Ashton. I picked up groggily. “What is it?” I mumbled, irritated.

“Come down, we need to talk!” He said in a low voice.

“Can we do this another day? I’m not up for moving much today.” I didn’t feel like having another quarrel again, and I felt that my irritation might just spark one. Besides, another day might give us both time to calm down and talk things through better.

“I’m coming up!”

I…

a panic. I got

I was living here. The winter in J City wasn’t that harsh. Clad in a wooly sweater and a dark overcoat, Ashton leaned against his car, looking as

I repeated. I felt extra prickly today, for some reason.

flung it into a bin nearby. He straightened up, took off his coat, and pulled it around my shoulders. “Why aren’t you dressed for the

patience wore thin and I was not

I couldn’t read his expression.

his coat and handed it back to him.

as I sensed

married woman now.” There was a bite of impatience in his voice. “Don’t you know that? Do you think it’s

“Ashton, I’ve told you this before. If you’re not happy with this arrangement, I’m

“Is our marriage a joke to you? Have you become so comfortable in flinging the threat

Ashton, when are you going

around my arm and flung

strong enough to retaliate. Before I could sit upright,

a dangerous ride; he sped past countless red lights. At

yanked me out of the car. “Ashton, are you crazy?”

me up on his shoulders. I grew dizzy

climbed on top of me and took

into his shoulder and held on until I tasted

didn’t know what to do

opened my eyes. I couldn’t divorce him, nor could