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.”

going to sit down on the toilet bowl?” The injury was on his

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

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

and wait for me outside!” 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. I’ll

an earnest look on his face. I couldn’t help but wonder how there could be such a stubborn person

the toilet. I

Ashton was always

a while more. After a long time, I started panicking a little. Turning towards the toilet door, I called loudly, “Ashton, are you

he replied, sounding cool

about to go in to help him.

fine, I let out a sigh of relief and

shortly afterward with fresh bandages in her hands. This time, she didn’t try and

his back, my heart skipped a beat. An involuntary chill

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. He then

Ashton’s back, I shuddered in horror, hardly daring

nurse reattached the IV drip to his arm after bandaging his wound.

to fall asleep. His back was going to be

he found Summer, Ashton didn’t let her accompany him to the hospital.

to take Ashton to a hospital in K City, too. However, after considering the rough journey and the state of his injuries, he decided to stay here and recuperate

dropped by practically every day to visit us. Although our interactions were rather awkward, they could be