When There Is Nothing Left But Love

The doctor left, and the nurse finished changing the bandages on his back. A tube had been inserted into the back of his hand, and the nurse took great care to adjust it. She looked at me and said, “His bandages have to be changed every three hours. Make sure to give us a shout when the time comes.”

I nodded and thanked her in a low voice.

A short while after the nurse left, Ashton woke up from his coma. As he lay on his bed, his lips moved a little, his voice sounding too hoarse to be heard.

I got up and poured some water, dunking a straw into the beverage so he could suck the drink up. However, Ashton shook his head, telling me to forget about the straw.

I obeyed. He took a sip from the cup and looked a little better. His lips white as snow, he muttered, “Thank goodness you’re fine.”

How strange. His first words after he woke up made me shed tears again.

I fought back my tears as I looked at him and said, “You’re a jerk, Ashton Fuller.”

He grinned back at me. Although he looked very gaunt, his face was still very handsome. “Don’t worry, it’s just a small injury. I’ll get better with some rest.”

I glared at him, the lump in my throat growing more painful. “A small injury?” He had nearly lost his life, and still had the audacity to say something so ridiculous! Was he tired of living?

Ashton’s lips curved slightly. “I’m thirsty.” I wanted to be a cruel wife and make him die of thirst, but one look from him and my heart softened.

As I fed him sips of water, my heart hurt uncontrollably. Unable to hold back my tears anymore, I could only watch as they landed on my hands.

you always crying? Girls shouldn’t cry

much uglier could I get? Ashton, I don’t need you to sacrifice yourself

girl. Jared’s target was me, and you were innocent. Come to think of it, I was the one

bowed my head and said in a low voice, “That’s what

moment I exerted some force, he let out a growl of pain. Evidently, I had

hold my hand if

but I could feel how cold his hands were.

down. I never did become that hero in your heart. Somehow, I was never able to protect you every time something happened to you, and I failed again this time. I thought I blocked every drop of that sulfuric acid, but you

touch the scar on my face. However, he grimaced in pain again as his wound stung, and he quickly wrenched his hand

pain. I shook my head, looking at him with tears in my eyes. “Ashton, I never

were icy cold, and I knew the effects of the anaesthesia were beginning

probably hold a grudge against me for that. Actually, I’d prefer that. When you found out that something had happened to Summer, you left without telling me and went to beg Emery and the Stovall family for help. You didn’t consider turning to me during your hour of need, but I can hardly blame you for that. It’s my fault for letting you down again and again and making

protest his claims, but I realized that what he said was

know what else to say. After a short pause, I said

to wait for you to come to me one day. Until that day, I’ll put in my best effort

I had spent most of my life catering to Ashton’s whims.

my own whims all along. I refused to open up my heart to him and forget our complicated history—instead, I got used to burying bitter grudges

up to new people or let go of the lovers I