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 to

of lightning, followed by the deafening clap of

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

knee

for a long while. The open window was still waiting, and

the dim light only succeeded in casting ghoulish shadows against the wall. The wind continued howling through the open window.

the room. At that moment, in the middle of the storm, the

of rain and thunder. I was utterly vulnerable at the moment, incapacitated as I was with the elements blowing right

terror. Valiantly, I tried multiple times to stand up with the support of surrounding furniture but

fell to the floor and shattered.

felt a wave of horror wash over me. Shrinking into a corner, I thought I could hear the sound of an infant wailing above the

I’d suppressed for so long noticed that I let my guard down and saw its chance. Physically and emotionally debilitated, I nearly

light streaming into the room

with every last bit

cried from beyond the

go away!” I shrieked in

my head stuck resolutely between my knees.

a voice said gently beside me. It pierced through the tumult of the nightmare. My heart clung wildly to that voice. At that moment, the rest of the world seemed to

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

afraid,” Ashton

took a deep breath. Squinting slightly, I peered at the person before me. It was