When There Is Nothing Left But Love

From how gently I spoke, I probably sounded like a thoughtful wife.

Ashton’s gaze on me darkened for a moment before he began to introduce the man briefly.

This man so happened to be Henry Lowell, the owner of this courtyard and heir of a prominent family of doctors. He was so passionate about medicinal herbs and ingredients that he decided to cultivate them here.

The beautiful woman with him was his wife, and the one-year-old child was his son.

After a brief exchange of greetings, I felt unsettled. I had been trying too hard to keep my pregnancy a secret from Ashton all this while; what if Henry were to reveal it?

Feeling worried, I couldn’t help but glance at Jared, hoping he would think of a way to help me.

At this moment, Mrs. Lowell returned with the freshly cooked cuttlefish stew and beamed at me. “Try some of this, Mrs. Fuller. I loved this when I was pregnant. It may taste a little strange, but my husband added some nourishing herbs into it, so they’re especially good for you. How many weeks old is your child?”

Suddenly feeling panicky, I returned a smile. “It was six weeks old, but Ashton and I hadn’t planned for the child. That’s why we decided to get an abortion.”

The woman was dumbfounded and stared at me, looking rather doubtful. “You don’t look like—”

“These are just some symptoms of false pregnancy, Mrs. Lowell. She’ll be fine as time passes. I can’t help but admire you and your husband, though. You’re both so experienced that you could tell she was pregnant just by observing her.” Jared, who was sipping some tea, finally spoke up.

for a moment before smiling and saying nothing more. Mrs. Lowell, on the other hand, still

our meal, Henry whispered something into his wife’s ear, causing her to glance at me in surprise before nodding and leaving the

for Mrs. Fuller. If she takes them

and gazed at me emotionlessly. I couldn’t

though he had specifically brought me over to have Henry take a look

I remained silent the whole time

car. Joe couldn’t stand the sight of me, so

still had other matters to take care of, I got down and said I would take

didn’t say much. He merely told me to be

all. I considered approaching Jared, but couldn’t as he was surely with Ashton now. With nowhere else in mind, I headed to

dark and the bar was fairly

was utterly shocked to see me. “What are you doing here instead of resting at home?” she demanded, looking like she wanted to

my boredom,” I spat out

just had an abortion a few days ago, Ms. Stovall.

about me, I turned to her. “Give me

my boredom,” she replied before heading to the