When There Is Nothing Left But Love

“Neighbor?” This seemed to catch Emery’s attention. She asked hurriedly, “When was this?”

“Just yesterday.” I didn’t think she would be so surprised at the news. “He moved into that villa opposite my house.”

“Oh my god,” Emery gasped, placing her hand on her chest in apparent shock.

A moment later, she seemed to recover herself. “So you’ve met each other already? And I’m guessing several times?”

“Yes. We had dinner together last night too. Why? Is something wrong?” Now I was the worried one. I recalled yesterday night’s dinner situation. I mumbled to myself, “Marcus doesn’t seem to like Ashton very much.”

“Hmph, shoot me dead if he does,” Emery spat.

“What did you say?” I didn’t know if I had heard her correctly.

“Nothing,” Emery said before changing the topic. “What do you think of Ashton’s son?”

“He’s a very interesting kid.” I couldn’t help but smile when I thought of Gregory. “You know, a while back he used to call me Mommy.”

my words. Staring intently

private room fell into silence so intense you could hear

later, I managed to collect myself. Testing the waters, I asked, “Emery, you’re not

think Emery was really telling

if she had long expected my reaction, she rearranged her features into a serious mask and

certainty began to waver at

I knew she wouldn’t mess around when she dealt with serious issues. Her revelation was just too inconceivable

of

to Marcus? Is Emery telling me that Marcus has been lying to

I hugged myself, trying to calm my nerves. “Does this mean

a thing of the past. The two of you were never separated. Even if you did, it was to protect each other. You were always in

Clink!

I lost focus, the cup in my hand knocked against an ashtray on the table. Coffee spilled from the cup, staining the tablecloth a

down before addressing Emery, “I know you have nothing to gain from lying to me. But you must understand, there’s a lot to process

sentence, I heard a