When There Is Nothing Left But Love

My prompt registered immediately. Ashton stood up and proffered a hand, suave and refined. However, his gaze lingered on Summer and Michael when he noticed them.

Michael seemed to be a late bloomer, at least in comparison to Summer. Both of them were five years old, but Michael appeared a year younger.

Ashton’s expression darkened, but I waved it off. “What would you like to eat?” I directed my question to the children.

Summer seemed to be in a foul mood. While her eyes were still on Ashton, she replied, “Anything you make is fine, Mommy.”

Michael caught sight of my injured ankle and suggested, “Let Daddy cook for us tonight.”

This was nothing out of the norm, but Michael’s words were piercing to Ashton’s ears.

I offered no clarification. Instead, I looked at Colin and teased lightly, “Looks like it’s your turn to show off your cooking skills tonight.”

Colin could be rather tactless at times, and his ability to read the room was failing him at the moment. Though he was taken aback by Ashton’s presence, he invited graciously, “Mr. Fuller, please stay for dinner with us. We cook with homegrown produce. You should try some.”

Ashton masked his emotions and nodded, his eyes dark and unfathomable.

I glanced at the children and instructed them as usual, “Both of you pick some vegetables from the back garden. Summer, don’t bully Michael, understand?”

pouted but nodded obediently. “You’re so unfair, Mommy. You always

explained, “Michael is already shorter than you. If you continue to bully him, he’ll never grow

and told Michael indignantly, “Mommy says that I can’t bully you, so I’ll help

“Daddy says that I’m a strong man, and strong

toward the

involuntarily. I had always worried that Summer would feel lonely, but seeing how Summer and Michael were closer than biological siblings put me

to reality. I turned to find

the intensity of his gaze, I blurted, “Please make yourself at home while I check if

wrist, pulling me back. His voice seemed to rumble in his chest as

I met his gaze and replied with conviction, “I’ve

eyes as he chuckled

home while I help out in the

be friends?” Ashton asked timidly, his voice helpless and distant. “I’ve tried numerous ways to numb out in the past four years, but my mind has been cruel to me. The more I try to forget, the clearer the memories become. It’s all engraved in my brain.

and resentment. It would break me. Perhaps it might have seemed like I had plenty of friends and family in J City and K City, but I was dying inside. There’s no way I can come to terms with my suffering. R Province is my home. Here, I can be the person I aspire to be. I hope you understand my

loud silence fell upon us. Seconds ticked by before he finally spoke. “Fine!” The weight of a single syllable pressed down on both

as I

to find Colin preparing the ingredients. He stilled when he saw me. “I can handle this myself. Go and keep