When There Is Nothing Left But Love

I felt as nonplussed as Armond looked. We both thought that Ashton was prepared to give me the scolding of a lifetime.

Rachel’s look of shock on her tear-streaked face told me that she did not expect Ashton to be this lenient with me as well.

I hesitated for a fraction of a second but repeated my sincere apology toward Rachel.

Ashton looked down at her. “Ms. Zimmer, I, too, am sorry for whatever transpired today. I will be sure to make the arrangements to see that you are compensated for.”

He was indifferent but cunning about how he had crafted that sentence.

Rachel was deathly pale as she stood up. She gazed at Ashton with disappointment but was unable to say anything more.

All of a sudden, Joseph appeared and took her away to the hospital.

Armond had nothing more to say as well. He exchanged several words of courtesy with Ashton and promptly departed.

After they left, Ashton and I remained where we were. I hung my head and prepared myself for the telling-off I was about to receive.

“I shouldn’t have hit her,” I blurted out. “I won’t do it again.”

“If you didn’t hit back, she’d walk all over you,” he said with an unflinching gaze at me.

I was shocked, to say the least. I looked up at him quizzically.

Ashton gently lifted up my sleeves and frowned at my scratch scars. “Did you return the favor?”

so I think they didn’t

at me with a crestfallen expression written across his handsome features. “You could have used your fists

and feet. Actually, it

you ganging up on a woman, and you still managed to get yourself hurt. You weren’t even the one who threw the water! If Linda weren’t here, would

I wouldn’t have dared to start a fight,” I said

and turned to

but squatted down after a couple of steps. My heart filled with joy at

look behind him when he did not

I remained squatted and pretended

tell me. What should I

for a moment. “Could you carry me out

laughed helplessly. “Is your

a shake

why would I

you love me!” I said in a huff and got up to

he wanted me to say it out loud, but if it had to be forced,

a twinkle in his eye. As I walked past him, he swept me up roughly in his

sudden

grunted without saying much

the employees of the base caught sight of

their face. I wouldn’t blame them. After all, they were under