When There Is Nothing Left But Love

Joseph delivered several dishes over and saw me while I was arranging the books in the living room. As he moved, he asked, “Are you preparing for the exam, Mrs. Fuller?”

I nodded. “I’ve wanted to take the exam for a while but had to postpone it after everything that’s happened. Now that I finally have the time to, I might as well do it.”

He smiled. “That’s good. It’s nice to be able to do the things you like.”

It was rare to hear a typically aloof man like Joseph uttering such words.

When Ashton returned with Summer, I was just about to cook after having washed the vegetables.

Noticing me in the kitchen, his slender figure came up to me from behind and held onto me clingily. “Each time I see you in the kitchen, I think I’m the world’s luckiest man.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Don’t be silly. Who’s coming over later?”

“John and his fiancée, who’s also your future sister-in-law,” he said with a smirk, leaning down to kiss me on the lips when he caught me giving him a sidelong glance.

I swerved in time to avoid it, chiding, “Stop it. Joseph and Summer are around.”

“Just five seconds,” he said in a husky voice.

But it was never only five seconds with him. Had it not been for the vegetables in the frying pan, it would’ve taken several more five seconds than one hand could count.

I was done cooking, the sound of a car engine sounded from the outside. Hearing that, Summer

get off the car, she jumped on him without any consideration and shouted in

over to the passenger side and pulled open

the woman who would appear in sight was

and elegant as she used to be, albeit instead of the tight-fitting dress she used to

guess she’s

turned toward me and smiled faintly. “Ms. Stovall,

mine. “It’s been a while indeed. The dishes are ready. Let’s

took our seats, John glanced at Ashton for a bit before resting his gaze on me. “If you’re used to living in the apartment

It was obvious he was indirectly telling me not to live with

he placed a slice of meat onto my plate. He

was meant to imply that I had lost weight from living alone with no one to care for

two of them could have a meal in peace.

to say, Summer was unable to understand the adults’ conversation. Perhaps children tend

particularly precocious. She tugged at Hannah and said softly,

and said, “Be good, Summer. Let

I’ll have to refer to

talk so much during mealtime. Eat your