When There Is Nothing Left But Love

I dozed off anyway. Suddenly, I felt Ashton stir next to me. When I opened my eyes, I saw him struggling to make his way off the bed.

I sprung out of my bed immediately and ran over to help him, as though in a trance.

He was sweating profusely again, probably because of the injury on his back. Seeing that I was up, he looked at me apologetically and said, “Did I wake you?”

I shook my head, feeling a little sorry for him. As I grabbed hold of his arm, I asked in concern, “Are you alright? The doctor said you aren’t allowed to get off the bed yet.”

He pursed his lips, his fingers tightening around the handrails of his bed. “I’m going to the toilet.”

I froze for a moment before replying, “There’s a bedpan!”

“Help me to the bathroom!” he ordered as though he hadn’t heard me. His voice was low and full of authority, and for a moment I thought he was back to the cold, distant Ashton again.

He had his pride, I supposed. Knowing that I wouldn’t win in an argument, I gave in and helped him off the bed.

He was 180cm tall and looked almost absurd next to me. For some reason, I had a distinct feeling that he was consciously not putting any of his weight on me.

We entered the toilet. Since his arm was still attached to the IV drip, I bent down without a second thought to help him unbuckle his belt.

However, he grabbed hold of my hand almost immediately. Looking a little helpless, he said, “Alright, I can do this myself. Go outside and wait for me.”

felt rather anxious. “How are you going to sit down on the toilet bowl?” The injury was on his back and didn’t affect his walking but sitting down would cause his wound to

me and shook his head. “I’ll be fine. Be a good girl and

“I’ll just help you unbuckle your belt. I won’t look at you, I promise! I’ll help you sit down on

he said, still smiling. A hint of desperation had crept into his voice. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’m not a child, you know. I know what I’m capable of.

on his face. I couldn’t help but wonder how there could be such

slightly, I went out of the toilet. I heard

annoyance. Ashton

him, I sat outside and waited for a while more. After a long time, I started panicking a little. Turning towards the toilet door, I called

he replied,

got up and was about to go in to help him. Nonetheless,

that he was fine, I let out a sigh

hands. This time, she didn’t try and hide the wound—instead, she peeled off the bandages and

blistering skin on his back, my heart skipped a beat. An

sure he doesn’t make any big movements that might aggravate his condition. That could slow down the rate of his recovery.” After explaining this to us, the doctor removed the last bits of rotting flesh from

Ashton’s back, I shuddered in

the IV drip to his arm after bandaging his wound. Because of the medication,

back was going to

didn’t let her accompany him to the hospital.

too. However, after considering the rough journey and the state of his injuries, he decided to

to visit us. Although our interactions were rather awkward, they