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?”

days ago, so I think they didn’t hurt her. I did pull out

crestfallen expression written across his handsome features. “You could have used your fists or, at least,

Actually, it was a good thing that Linda had drenched

a woman, and you still managed to get yourself hurt.

weren’t here, I wouldn’t have dared to start a fight,” I said in a small

and turned to leave

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

turned to look behind him when he did not hear

hurt. I can’t walk.” I remained squatted and pretended to

tears with exasperation. “Just tell

brain for a moment. “Could you

“Is

a shake of

would I carry

said in a

say it out loud, but if it

looked at me with a twinkle in his eye. As I

was startled by the sudden movement. “Ashton, you jerk!” I

grunted without saying

we exited the corridor, the employees of the base

I wouldn’t blame them. After all, they were under the impression that Ashton and Rachel were something of a couple given their