When There Is Nothing Left But Love

Cameron brought some breakfast to the living room, then came back to the dining table and glanced at me. “The Stovalls called this morning and invited us for dinner. Everyone knows that you’re back and they’re all asking for a gathering.”

I stuffed a pastry into my mouth and spoke in a garbled voice, “Mm, I need to pay Uncle Louis a visit anyway.”

When she saw the way I was wolfing down the food, she placed a glass of milk in front of me and said in fond exasperation, “Slow down. What’s the rush? No one’s going to take your food. Now, be honest with me. What’s going on between you and Ashton?”

I took a sip of milk and feigned cluelessness. “What do you mean what’s going on?”

She clucked her tongue and chided, “Do you take us for blind fools? If there’s nothing wrong, why did you ignore him completely and come in here on your own? You two weren’t like this before!”

I pursed my lips and countered, “Oh? How were we before?”

She sighed. “It’s normal for couples to quarrel, but Mr. Fuller treats you well in every way possible and we can all see that. Don’t do anything foolish. Live a peaceful life with him and stop kicking up a fuss!”

I put my glass down and nodded. After wiping my mouth, I declared, “I’m done eating.”

She released another soft sigh, wanting to persuade me but had no idea how to even begin.

I went to the living room and saw Ashton playing a game of chess with Zachary. Hence, I decided to go upstairs to wake Summer. Before I could, however, I was unexpectedly stopped by Zachary. “Letty, I heard Mr. Fuller said that you’re quite skilled at chess. Come here and help me out. I’ve already lost several games.”

queen had already been taken and he only had one miserable knight left. Even his two bishops were captured. Right then, Ashton’s chess pieces were positioned so that

wouldn’t allow him to admit defeat. Hence, he called me over to diffuse the awkward situation. Seeing as there was no way

seeing him, his face was slightly haggard, but he still looked

him, he raised his brows at me but didn’t speak either. Instead, he looked at Zachary and stated, “It’s your turn, Mr.

he was doomed to lose. Thus, he simply stood up and glanced at me. “Letty, help me continue the game. I’m going to go see

was obvious that

sat down, but instead of moving a chess piece, I propped

as he answered my question with a question.

the chessboard and moved one of his chess pieces away before glancing at him with a helpless expression.

the chess piece I just moved away.

was there

idea of an

my last pawn across the chessboard, saying blandly, “That won’t be necessary. You’re a prominent and powerful man.

and he took

“Enjoy your game, Mr. Fuller. I’ll be

pull me back down. Massaging his nose bridge, he put the white pawn he had captured on