When There Is Nothing Left But Love

“Ash, please take your friendship with Parker into consideration, and don’t leave me alone! I need you by my side. Please, Ash! I don’t need anything else apart from your companionship. Along with Jared and Joe, we can live a carefree life as we had used to, can’t we? I’ll always be the innocent little girl that requires the guidance of the three reliable brothers of mine. Please don’t leave me alone! I can’t possibly live on my own!”

Ashton’s initially indifferent look seemed to have eased up because he was affected by her words. Nobody would know him better than me—he had never enjoyed being alone; he couldn’t bear to leave the needy ones alone either.

Rebecca’s seemingly sincere words had touched him. He had always been alone ever since he was young. Although Ashton had his doting grandfather by his side, none of the things that his grandfather had done could compensate the man for his loss.

Therefore, he couldn’t bear to forsake his friendship with Parker and his relationship with Rebecca because being needed would give him a sense of accomplishment that he desired. It would make him feel loved.

I stood by his side silently because I couldn’t be sure as to how I was supposed to react. All along, I knew that I wasn’t a match for Rebecca. I could never put on such a great show to deceive others.

As Ashton returned to her side and brought her up, casting a gentle gaze as if he could forget the things that she had done, I knew that my efforts were in vain.

Apart from the sound of Rebecca sniffling behind us, we were dead silent throughout the entire ride. It felt as though I could hear the ambient noise in the car.

In the end, I broke the silence, requesting once the car was brought to a halt at the junction, “Why don’t you pull over at the bus station in front? I’ll drop by a certain somewhere before making my way home.”

Furrowing his brows, Ashton looked at me as he queried, “Where are you going?”

I tried my best to force a smile onto my face as I denoted, “I’ll go for a walk and get Macy the mangoes that she’s craving for before I make my way to the ward.”

“I’ll go with you!”

“No!”

my cool in front of them. Hence, I tried my best to regain my composure and stated, “It will be fine; the hospital is merely a few streets away. I won’t get lost, okay? Y-You should drop Ms. Larson off

it a thought for a few seconds. In the end,

deep breath because it felt as though a heavy

out of the car, I bade them farewell with a bright and gentle grin, behaving as though everything was fine while

nauseous, as though I would puke at any given point in time.

for my phone to get in touch with Jackson, but I suddenly recalled that I had flushed

I walked along the green, I started to feel weak because of the scorching sun that was on top of

I took a seat by the road and buried my face in my palms as I began to

a fragile woman. It wasn’t

couldn’t stand the heat anymore and I thought that I was seeing things when I caught a glimpse of Jackson in front of me. Soon, I muttered, “Jackson,

and lifted me up, bringing me into his car. “What happened? Why are you alone on the streets in the middle of such a hot day? You might

returned to my usual self after I was brought into the cool environment that was filled with chilling air.

tissue to me as he explained, “I was on my way to

my face clean after I took the wet tissues from him. I stared at the man in the front passenger seat wide-eyed

What about you? Why are you crying on the streets when you

diverted their attention immediately, instructing Jackson, “Hey! Let’s drop by another place

do you want to

Square! I have accidentally broken

turning in another direction from the