When There Is Nothing Left But Love

Ashton tends to do things this way too. I hung my head low at the sudden, intrusive thought about him while my nose wrinkled in discomfort.

Marcus did not notice my minute reaction. He merely grinned. “It’s not a waste. See, we’re using it now, aren’t we?”

We took a spin around the house. It didn’t look like we need to buy or replace anything, but the kitchen looked quite empty. Perhaps Marcus, assuming that I was not much of a cook, did not bother too much with the layout.

“Is there anything missing?” He said, changing the house key and fingerprint code to mine.

I nodded in response. “Since you’re free tonight, why don’t we cook at home? I can give Macy and Jackson a call later, invite them to join in. I should let them know I’m safe anyway. Ever since I left, it’s like I’ve been cut off from the outside world.”

Marcus nodded. He did not look too good, but I paid little mind to that.

We left the residence together and headed to the supermarket. There, we stocked up on basic cooking necessities, including rice, cooking oil, sugar, and salt. Marcus turned to me with a look of surprise. “You can cook?”

It was so embarrassing to have that question thrown at me. Impatiently, I rebutted, “Don’t underestimate me, alright? What makes you think I can’t cook?”

I picked a few seasonings and added bluntly, “Just you wait, I’ll show you what I’m capable of tonight!”

Laughter escaped him. He raised a hand, patted me on the head, and said, “Alright then. I’ll wait!”

him, so I asked for a favor, “Marcus,

target behind me, looking rather solemn. I

reaction, I was about to whip my head around, but Marcus pulled

a stern tone, “It’s getting late. Let’s

on, someone forcibly

eyes took in Ashton’s face, filled with depth, eagerness, and delight interwoven in a complicated mess. In short, the emotions reflected in his eyes were an impetuous, messy lot. The thoughts in my head crashed to

at a loss of what to do. My body stiffened, my heart began to ache, and the dense pain began

my hands and body tremble. In a moment, I broke off eye contact

him yet. I was not ready to tell him what happened to the baby. I was not ready to give him

suddenly

belly had already begun to show. She was standing next

items before.

the brink of emotional collapse. In that instant, I lost control. I shoved Ashton’s arm away with all my

Rebecca. No one expected I would turn

I did not give her time to respond at all. The next thing I knew, I tore at her delicately styled hair, yelling in a frenzy,

you mad woman! Ash, save me!” Rebecca, scared

tightly secured in their arms. A low, gruff

I broke myself free from his arms with