When There Is Nothing Left But Love

Ashton and Abe had clearly planned for their meeting in advance. I didn’t know the contents of their discussion, but by entrusting me to Holden, Ashton must have been confident that Holden would ultimately fail Abe.

Ashton gave me a sideways glance. “Are you afraid?”

I shook my head, then nodded, conflicted. Upon seeing my confused expression, Ashton broke out into a delighted laugh, shattering the tension that had hung delicately over the car.

“Are you afraid or not?” he repeated, teasing.

I thought for a while before answering him solemnly, “A little of both, I guess. I’m afraid because I don’t know anything. If anything happens to you, I don’t know what to do. I’m not that afraid yet because I know that you always have a firm grasp of the situation. Besides, you’re responsible. You will never put me in danger.”

Ashton drove on, looking straight ahead. His gaze was unfathomable. “What if I tell you that everything’s out of my hands now?”

I stiffened, but Ashton continued while glancing at me, “Scarlett, no matter what happens, you must ensure your own safety first. Forget about me. No matter the situation… just look out for yourself.”

Ashton’s sudden announcement startled me. What exactly does he mean by that? I wondered, disconcerted as I watched him intently. “Ashton, is there something that you’re not telling me?”

rest of the way to the hotel

to continue questioning Ashton, but weary from the entire day’s proceedings, I fell asleep

morning. Ashton was already up and on

phone, then called out to me, “We’re heading over to the Taylor residence in a while.

nodded. After all, I had been expecting this ever since we’d

and Ashton’s grandfather had remained in the country, enjoying relative peace. On the other hand, Archie, Holden’s father, had instead been conscripted. Both George and Archie met through a group of mutual wartime comrades, one that also included Channing. Having stood shoulder-to-shoulder in the face of death, the bond between this group

war, Archie had returned to Moranta to inherit his family business. The other Taylors had passed away due to illness

the Taylor household was in large part due to

elegant, antique structures greeted us. Resplendent with fastidiously pruned greenery, piping brooks, and flower-filled meadows, the Taylor residence was no mere mansion. It seemed more

of the Taylor family. Archie

A voice courteously spoke from beside us. We turned to see the Taylor residence’s housekeeper. He looked to be around fifty or sixty years of age and exuded

He led us outside a room thick with the smell of disinfectant and medicine. A doctor was hurrying around, scribbling notes in his pad

and Mrs. Fuller, please,” the housekeeper said again, gesturing towards the open

old man lay on the bed connected to an IV drip that hung from a stand