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 shut

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

however, I ran right into the arms of the chaise lounge

pain shot through my knee and

was immense. I exhaled sharply as I cradled it for a long while. The open window was still waiting, and I tried to get up to no avail. I finally sat on the floor,

only succeeded in casting ghoulish shadows against the wall. The wind continued howling through the open window. A chill ran down my

flying, spraying droplets of water across the room. At that moment, in the middle of the storm, the villa seemed to be a most forlorn,

that traumatic incident with my baby, I’d always felt a sense of dread in the presence of rain and thunder. I

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

to the floor and shattered.

wash over me. Shrinking into a corner, I thought I could hear the sound of an

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 nearly went

into the room took

last bit of strength left within

someone cried from

of you, go away!” I

I’d curled up into a ball, my head stuck resolutely

pierced through the tumult of the nightmare. My heart clung wildly to that voice. At that moment,

The light in the room had been switched on and the curtains

me. Don’t be afraid,” Ashton said

a deep breath. Squinting slightly, I peered at the person before