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.

made my way over to the window

a burst of lightning, followed by the deafening clap of thunder, filled the room. Petrified, I bolted towards

I ran right into the

knee and I crumpled to

open window was still waiting, and I tried to get up

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.

across the room. At that moment, in the middle of the storm, the villa seemed to be a most forlorn, desolate

always felt a sense of dread in the presence of rain and

started to panic. My imagination was running wild and I began to tremble from terror. Valiantly, I tried multiple times to stand up with the support of surrounding furniture but only

loud crash, the lamp fell to the floor and shattered. Its

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

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 nearly went

the faint light streaming into

last bit of strength

from

you, go away!” I

a ball, my head stuck resolutely between my knees. I

me. It pierced through the tumult of the nightmare. My heart

head slowly. The light in the room had been switched on and the curtains neatly

me. Don’t be afraid,” Ashton

took a deep breath. Squinting slightly, I peered at