When There Is Nothing Left But Love

“Are you saying that you’ve never tried to find out what happened to Macy back then?” I asked. My heart ached for Macy. If Jared really cared about her, why didn’t he even try?

The obvious answer was that he didn’t care. Otherwise, Jared wouldn’t have given up just like that. Not only had he never tried to look for Macy, he never even asked after her.

It made me even more fearful of handing Summer over to Jared.

He remained silent, biting his lip.

I’d calmed down. Looking at Jared’s troubled face, I vowed, “No matter what the Crests have planned for Summer, I will never give her up to you.”

I then stalked the rest of the way back to the table.

Ashton had been engaged in casual chit-chat with Joe. When he said me, he reached out in concern and asked, “What took you so long?”

“It’s nothing. Have you finished eating already?” We’d all gathered here today under the pretext of having dinner, but nobody had taken more than a few bites.

Ashton continued looking at me. “You’re not hungry?”

I shook my head vigorously. “Nope.”

Upon hearing this, Ashton pushed back his chair and stood up. Politely, he said to Joe, “It’s getting late. We’ll get going then.”

Obvious displeasure was written all over Joe’s face. He demanded, “Didn’t we agree to this get-together? Are you leaving before we’ve even gotten to say anything?”

Jared was smoking near the door. We passed each other without

do you think

In a mellow voice, he asked, “Did Jared say anything

shook my head. “I just feel that whatever I do for her won’t

her at the villa. But what would I tell an innocent child of four, five years old? What could she do with that

everyone else was right. Summer would leave someday, eventually. But not

this? Let Summer and the Crests get to acknowledge each other, but she continues

mean a bigger family and more love showered upon her. She had

a while before replying uncertainly, “Can

hesitation for agreement. “Of course!” he

we got back. When she saw Ashton and me enter, she came running and flew

Fuller, I have something for you!” Summer announced,

to contain his laughter, Ashton asked, “What is

palm of her hand. It was all very obvious to us, but she was evidently

instructed, “Give me your

and obediently did so. A sweet encased in a shiny wrapper dropped into

often derived joy from the most curious

sofa. Patiently, he asked, “Why did

friend Dottie from school said that her uncle gave it to her aunt when they got married. It’s a lucky sweet! If you eat it,

originally been heading towards the kitchen. My ears pricked up at her last

happiness made a lovely