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?”

nodded obediently. “You’re so

by her childish accusation, I explained, “Michael is already shorter than you. If you continue to bully him, he’ll

Michael indignantly, “Mommy says

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

walked toward the back

always worried that Summer would feel lonely, but seeing how Summer

retracted my gaze, I felt someone’s eyes on me, snapping me back to reality. I turned to find Ashton burning holes in me with his scorching stare. A myriad

at home while I check if my help is

seemed to rumble in his chest as

skipped a beat at the simple question. I met his gaze and replied with conviction, “I’ve

flickered in his eyes as he

while I help out in the kitchen,” I repeated as the conversation ran

tried numerous ways to numb out in the past four years, but my mind has been cruel to me. The

by your side only filled me with hate 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

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

afterward. I exhaled heavily as I watched his retreating

stilled when he saw me. “I can handle this myself.