When There Is Nothing Left But Love

However, he had spoiled his son. It was overtly liberal for him to be calling people names.

Gregory waved his fork at me when I was lost in thought. “Ms. Stovall, Daddy would like some pork too!” he said in an attempt to instigate me.

The atmosphere over the dining table instantly chilled.

I did not think that a man of his wealth would stoop to eat something that I took for him.

The difference in our status was clearer than ever before. Just sitting at the same table felt strange; being intimate was out of the question.

“Greg, your dad will help himself if he wants some. He…”

It was a pathetic attempt to diffuse the tension, but Ashton chose this moment to make the situation extra awkward. “Greg, I would like some of that pork.”

Though he addressed Gregory by name, it seemed to me that he was speaking to me.

Even Marcus’s fork had frozen in midair. Everybody was confused.

“Err…” Gregory muttered with a glance down at his sticky hands helplessly. “My hands are dirty. Why don’t you ask Ms. Stovall…”

bond with your son,” he

“Mr. White, your relationship with Ms. Stovall

a busy man such as yourself would have so much time to poke his nose into other

clouds. “Second only to your ability to

straight in his chair. “Mr. Fuller, you are indeed eloquent.” He

back at you,” Ashton said mildly as he turned to Gregory. “Are you

must have sensed that the atmosphere had turned hostile but was most reluctant to put down his fork.

happy,” Ashton said as he got up. “Thank you for your kind hospitality,” he said politely to us. Gripping Gregory by the

before turning to Marcus. “Do you have a grudge against

encounter was harmonious by comparison. However, upon becoming

need for harsh words to be thrown about like that over a

Marcus was usually mild-mannered. He definitely was agitated earlier, which was most

Marcus resumed his calm demeanor. “Why would you think that?”

was a topic that he did not

only goes to show that there was indeed something going on between him and

Marcus refused to discuss it, I wouldn’t have any reason