When There Is Nothing Left But Love

Ashton was looking rather intently at the scalded area. I mumbled in reply, “It’s much better! I’m fine!”

Ashton furrowed his brow. Without even asking, he took my bag and fumbled through it for the ointment. He then proceeded to apply it.

Ashton looked at me throughout the entire process. His gaze was unfathomable. “Is Armond better at this than I am?” he questioned.

Uncomfortable, I shifted my weight from foot to foot, then stammered, “It’s late, you…”

“Are you chasing me away?” Ashton demanded, his face growing murderous.

I took a deep breath, then nodded defiantly. “Yep. Or would you rather stay here?” I asked sarcastically.

“Can’t I?” Ashton challenged. His dark eyes bore into my soul.

Dumbfounded, I shrugged. “It’s up to you.”

Ashton thus remained in the villa. I did my best to ignore him and headed up to my own bedroom.

When Armond was back from sending Nora home, he’d naturally deal with Ashton.

After my shower, I’d completely put aside all thoughts of Ashton. It was almost ten at night, so I blow-dried my hair, read a little, and eventually drifted off to sleep.

The rain came without warning. It was a chilly autumn night, and droplets pattered rhythmically onto the ground. A frosty wind blew into the bedroom, and I woke up with a shiver.

to the window to

a burst of lightning, followed by the deafening clap of thunder, filled

right into the

pain shot through my knee

a long while. The open window was still waiting, and I tried to get up to

thing within reach was the small lamp beside my bed. I turned it on, but the dim light only succeeded in casting ghoulish shadows against the wall. The wind continued howling through the open window.

spraying droplets of water across the room. At that moment, in the middle of

in the presence of rain and thunder. I was utterly vulnerable at the moment, incapacitated as I was with the

wild and I began to tremble from terror. Valiantly, I tried multiple times to stand up with the support of surrounding furniture but only succeeded

loud crash, the lamp fell to the floor and shattered. Its wan light instantly went

into a corner, I thought I could hear the sound of an infant

recoiled in fear. Amidst the mounting dread, the sadness I’d suppressed for so long noticed that I let my guard down and saw its chance. Physically and emotionally debilitated, I

looked once more, dazed, at the window, the faint light streaming into the room took on the

last bit of strength left

someone cried from beyond the

of you, go away!” I shrieked

I’d curled up into a ball, my

heart clung wildly to that voice. At that moment, the rest of

been switched on and the curtains neatly fastened. The

afraid,”

Squinting slightly, I peered at the person before me.