When There Is Nothing Left But Love

“It’s nice to see you guys. Do make yourself at home,” Simone said, gesturing at us to take a seat.

Although she did not look a lot older than Ashton and me, her voice sounded frazzled.

Ashton was clearly taken aback by her voice as well. He stood right in front of them without moving an inch. The air grew tense with every passing moment.

Nicolas buried himself in his newspapers, not bothering to look up. Simone sat slightly apart, and the two seemed not to have much interaction.

I guessed Simone was probably the more expressive one between the two. I shook off Ashton’s hand, trying to snap him back to reality. When he finally looked at me, I pulled him toward the seats.

Now that everyone was seated, we were anticipating the patriarch to speak.

Silence ensued for about two to three minutes before Nicolas showed his face behind the newspapers. His cold glance swept across Ashton before finally stopping at me.

certainly a brave one. I still remember how you lectured me at the hotel,” he stated without betraying the slightest hint of emotion. His tone and demeanor

raking up old

smiled. “Birds of the same feather flock together. This is why I got together with your son. I need to

scoffed without replying, allowing Simone an opportunity to interject and speak instead. “Mom and Dad,” she corrected

while but quickly

still had to be

Nicolas spoke again, giving me a curt nod. His brown eyes darted toward Ashton, waiting for

many, but not for Ashton, especially after so

and trauma for the sake of obtaining the antidote. I

and spoke on his behalf. “Ashton caught a cold after he fell asleep beside the kids’ bed while he was reading them bedtime stories. He’s having a sore throat, so I hope both

right after

sounding across the room. It did sound