When There Is Nothing Left But Love

There was no such thing as first love in the world of grownups. He smiled coldly. “Being too smart isn’t good for a woman. It’s better if you play dumb once in a while. You know how it feels to be loved. I’m sure you don’t want to lose it.”

I pursed my lips. Contrary to what he believed, all I felt was disgust. I kept quiet for a while before answering, “I want you to tell me the truth, Mr. Murphy.”

He nodded. “Remember where we first met?”

“J City’s cemetery.”

He nodded; his gaze still fixated on me. “To be precise, right in front of Mrs. Stovall’s tombstone.”

I knew my grandmother was a Stovall, so that wasn’t a shock. “So?” I looked at him. I saw Armond when I went to the cemetery on All Souls’ Day, but I didn’t think that much. I only thought he was being kind when he helped me out of the kidnapping, but after mulling it over, I thought things weren’t as simple as they seemed.

There are no coincidences in this world.

“I want the sandalwood box Mrs. Stovall left you.” His gaze was still cold as ever.

I stiffened up and frowned at him. “That’s a puzzle box. How do you know I have it?”

smiled. “I found out about it.” And he said

if it could exchange five people’s lives and Ashton’s consolation, that would be worth it. I nodded.

stood up. “Sleep tight and

guys talking about, Mr. Murphy?” Abe squinted at me, then his eyes were locked on my face, and he criticized, “She has the curves, and her features are nice, but she has a scar. She’s not the

talking to

smiled at me. “Never judge a book by its cover. Beauty is

and plopped down on the chair, staring at

to stay any longer, and I mulled over what Armond

Nora, especially, had regained consciousness. She

I nodded. Everyone else was starting to regain some color, though they were still relatively

his life. He was always cautious and appeared out of

appear whenever I thought they weren’t around, but I could

desire to get my life back, and the prospect of bringing Nora

fear, thinking that Abe

it was Armond standing there. He was still cold as usual, though his black suit made him all the more distant. He frowned