When There Is Nothing Left But Love

I found Ashton’s reaction rather bizarre and asked, “Why go to the hospital? It’s not that big of a deal.”

Ashton sauntered over to my side and looked fondly down at me. “Everyone should go for an annual medical checkup. I think it’s been about a year since you last went for one.”

I nodded absently, then lay back down on the bed. Since Ashton had left the bed to me, I sprawled happily across its entire width while sighing in satisfaction and comfort.

It was the beginning of winter, and the temperature in K City had plummeted sharply. Ashton was insistent on sending me to the hospital and was up and about early in the morning. I’d been disturbed from my sleep by his bustling about and sat in the living room still yawning, half-awake.

That morning, Ashton had poured out some cereal for both of us. “Would you like some chopped nuts?” he asked, popping his head out of the kitchen.

I nodded, my eyes teary from the multiple yawns I’d just unleashed. “Sure.”

It was a cold, misty morning. I couldn’t help but shudder at the thought of stepping out into the frigid air and made a mental note to myself to don a few more layers before leaving.

Ashton emerged from the kitchen with the two bowls of cereal in hand. He placed them on the table, then added, “Would you like some pancakes as well?”

I sneezed, then sniffed at Ashton, “No need. I’ll just have the cereal. Since we’re going to the hospital, why don’t we drop by my Mom’s place and bring Summer along? We can get her checked out at the same time.”

“Let’s

gave me a look, then chided, “Can’t you eat a little more

like a child who had just received

then, I recalled that Nora was back in K City, so I reminded Ashton. “Nora’s back in K City. We should bring her out for a meal to catch up and play the host. Besides, I don’t feel too safe leaving

her to stay in a hotel. It isn’t safe anyway for a woman to be wandering around K

will he?” I asked anxiously. Ever since the incident at the warehouse, my opinion of Armond had been totally turned on

cereal, Ashton nudged his bowl of

within me. Actually, I wasn’t that hungry, but I ate the rest of the cereal

to probe more into the matter, but Ashton forbade me. “We can talk

rather traditional this way. He firmly believed we should be focused on gaining nutrients rather

that, I nodded docilely, then finished the rest of the

door, putting on my shoes slowly in the hallway. Ashton had gone ahead to start the car. Just then, my phone rang shrilly in my bag. I fished it out only to see Mrs. Brooks’ name flashing across the screen.

rush of woe over the phone. Mrs. Brooks gave a long sigh, then said, “Mrs. Fuller, Renee passed away last night. She said she wanted to be buried with her mother. I brought her back to K City with me today. I don’t have any close friends or family, and you were probably the one who showed her the most affection in this life. If you have

out to the front. However, I remained in my seat, staring ahead blankly as my head

and ran up to me,

Mrs. Brooks’ voice drifted over the