When There Is Nothing Left But Love

Joe stopped smiling and turned to Rebecca. “Stay out of this, Rebecca.”

“Why should I? Everyone agreed to this rule when Parker was here. I was there too. Why should I stay out of this?”

“But the rule didn’t say anything about sticking your nose into this. Don’t you know that, Rebecca?” Jared finally spoke. His gaze was cold and also impatient. Rebecca was stunned before tears started to stream down her face.

I was starting to get impatient. “I don’t know how you guys agreed to the rule, but I accept your apology. Thanks for the treat, and there’s no need for the wine. You’ve apologized, and that’s good enough.” I paused for a moment. “Everyone settles their matter differently. You have your way, and I have mine. Do away with the wine.”

Joe was flabbergasted, and he cast a confused look at Ashton.

Ashton, who had kept quiet all the while, finally stood up and looked at Joe. “We’ll go with Scarlett’s way. It’s getting late, and she’s exhausted. We’ll be leaving now.”

He was going to take me away when Rebecca stopped us and glared at us with tear-filled eyes. To be precise, she was looking at Ashton. “You can’t just break the rule Parker made whenever you want. Do you think this woman is more important than our decades of friendship?”

creased Ashton’s forehead.

give her a free

filled with drama. I don’t care what the reasons were behind this inhumane rule, but Ms. Larson, let’s stop for a moment and think. You guys were just twenty-year-old kids back then. I can understand why this rule

a deep breath. “Everyone’s in their thirties now, for god’s sake. Doesn’t matter how healthy they are, ten glasses of alcohol is going to hurt. Not to mention they’ve been pulling all-nighters lately for the company. Their bodies are at their limits. If

paled, then her face turned red with anger. Her chest heaved, and she glowered. “That’s sophism! You’re leaving because you’re too arrogant

be a five-year-old. Every word

a moment before turning to Joe. “Honestly, you’re a good guy, Joe. You know right from wrong. Ashton’s my husband, and since he sees you as his brother, then by extension, you’re my brother too. I won’t argue with you just because of some childish insults. Naturally, I won’t get between you and Ashton. I accept your apology, and you don’t have to drink the wine. It’s precisely because you’re family that I don’t want you to kill yourself over

I took Ashton’s hand and left the room. The moment I got into the car, I flung his hand away and glared at him. “Did you bring me here just to annoy me?” I wouldn’t have come if I had known Rebecca

you the whole time. I

own.” With that, I went into the car

…

the villa, I saw Sally standing at the doorstep. She was wearing a jacket. When she looked behind me and didn’t see Ashton, Sally looked at me.