When There Is Nothing Left But Love

I nodded and took a deep breath. Having calmed down slightly, I asked Hannah, “Where are you now? Send me your address, and I’ll come over right away.”

“OK!’

After we’d ended the call, I found Ashton looking at me anxiously. “What’s going on?”

“I think Hannah’s going into labor. There’s no one with her right now, so I’m going over,” I said, already making a beeline to my wardrobe to change.

When I had finished, I saw Ashton waiting for me at the door with his car keys in hand.

I was startled but had no time to question him. We immediately got into the car and headed off towards the address Hannah had given.

On the way, I began dialing John. None of my calls were successful.

“Why isn’t John picking up?” I fretted.

Ashton continued driving, his eyes fixed serenely on the road. “Don’t get all flustered yet.”

I knew that I had to compose myself but couldn’t keep my hands from shaking. Hannah’s baby was only seven or eight months old. How can she suddenly be going into labor? Something must have gone wrong.

It was precisely at this crucial moment that John had chosen to go missing.

I considered briefly and decided to give Louis a call. It was quiet on his end of the line. Louis’ rich voice came through clearly. “Scarlett, what’s up?”

“Uncle Louis, where’s John? I think Hannah’s going into labor now. Can you reach him?” I asked hurriedly.

Louis paused, then said, “I’ll look into it. How’s Hannah doing?”

on my way over to her. I don’t

right. Don’t fret, my dear. Let me worry about getting in touch with John. Focus on getting Hannah to the hospital as soon as you can. Don’t worry!” Louis

He wrinkled his brow

“What’s wrong?” I prompted.

to go down to take a look,” he said, immediately parking the car. He swung his legs out and headed straight towards

lying in the yard with a puddle of blood forming beneath her. She

she heaved a sigh of relief. Then she fainted

only then that I let out the breath I’d

to look at Ashton, only to see streaks of blood all over his body.

state. He then commented ruefully, “I’m

I crumpled onto a chair along the hallway.

terror from the last time I experienced a miscarriage washed over me like a flood, leaving me

worry, nothing bad is going

the fear had subsided, I remembered my original mission. I took out my phone and called John

was a woman’s voice, however, that answered. “Hello, Mr. Stovall is currently in the

voice sounded

John on the

was silence on the other end for a while. “Are

annoyed, and my voice hardened. “Get

to have discerned my displeasure. She stuttered, “Ms. Stovall, Mr. Stovall’s really in the shower right now. I’ll be

response. I flung the phone away

bout of violence, clattering onto the

the phone. He deftly extracted

Ashton dialed Joseph. Joseph arrived in no