When There Is Nothing Left But Love

I nodded and pointed towards the hugging couple. I teased, “You’ve never told me about your past relationships.”

I paused as Rebecca abruptly came to mind. He did say that he had never loved Rebecca.

As we made our way through the crowds, he stuck closer to me and replied, “I didn’t date when I was younger.”

Shocked by his reply, I stared at him in disbelief. “No! You’re pulling my leg, right?”

“Back then, I was swamped with classes and essays every day. Grandpa also arranged for me to take extra law classes, so I basically didn’t have time for anything else.”

His explanation seems pretty reasonable. Pouting, I continued to prod him for an answer. “Didn’t you have any crushes then?”

His eyes bored into mine as he replied, “I had a crush on you the moment I saw you at J University.”

Stunned, I began to blush furiously.

We continued walking at a leisurely pace. Suddenly he asked, “Don’t you have questions for me?”

“What questions?” Confused, I stared back at him.

“A few days ago, Flora told me that there was a lipstick mark on my shirt. Why aren’t you asking me about it?”

surprise, though I quickly recovered myself and said, “There’s nothing to

answer had stunned him into silence. He appeared to be deep in thought, though I didn’t have the mental energy to try and guess what was on his mind. I just wanted to enjoy my walk with him before his imminent

and didn’t follow him in. I gestured for him to

at me. “You go first. I’ll go in after

didn’t argue with him but merely smiled at him. I felt a twinge of regret

ran towards him, giving him a tight hug. I said

behavior. “What’s wrong?

firmly around

heard his chuckle before he replied, “Why don’t you stay here with me

finally loosened my arms. I straightened out his tie with a small smile on

I can no longer afford. This is

of taking a plane,

to be tedious, but I’ll get to enjoy

away from the station. I took out my phone, knowing it would be a big

are handy now when I can’t

should’ve known the world would be much more complicated than I imagined. I paused in the middle of typing, struck by a painful reminder. Cuts and bruises may heal over time, but they leave behind scars that will never allow

stillborn baby cost me my dreams of bearing my own child. I can’t blame you, nor can I

a painful fate? Maybe he was too eager to be my child and forgot to bring along some things with him in his rush. He fought so hard to meet me, yet I couldn’t save him in the end. Ashton, I hope you can forgive me for leaving like this yet again.

that the only thing we gain in return is suffering.

Pristine views of the countryside flew past in a