When There Is Nothing Left But Love

“Do we know each other?” I stammered hesitantly, frowning.

“It’s me,” The man muttered thickly. He looked as if he was struggling to quell some intense emotion that was rising within him. He cleared his throat, then said, raising his voice, “It’s me, John Stovall.”

John’s eyes were brimming with tears. When his statement elicited no response from me, he looked at rueful, then asked, “Have you really forgotten who I am?”

John? I pondered. That name sounds strangely familiar…

My eyes darted from him to the little girl standing just beside him. Realization dawned upon me.

John was a member of the Stovall family and “Scarlett”’s relative. I recalled briefly seeing him listed amongst the material that Ashton had given me. John had grown out his beard, which hindered me from recognizing him at first glance.

According to Ashton’s plan, I was to battle John in court over custody rights.

overwhelming surge of regret within me now? I wondered. The sight of John and the little girl standing next to each other caused an

for agreeing to Ashton, for using the pretense of “Scarlett” to

down on the sofa facing me. He then placed the manila envelope he’d brought along with him

we’d entered, John had briefly announced, “I’m taking you

immediately broke the ice by saying frankly, “The Stovall family and the Moore family have never given up on searching for you. To take care of the child, as well as to accumulate enough funds, we arranged to migrate.

John had to maintain his composure. He paused and took several long, deep breaths. Lowering his gaze for a while, John’s

here for you. Don’t worry about anything else. This envelope contains DNA proof of your relationship with Audrey, as well as a Share Transfer Agreement of half of Stovall Corporation’s shares. When you return, you’ll be the second-largest major shareholder in

girl. He took her hand gently, then led her over to me. “Audrey, this is your mommy,”

me uncertainly. She turned back to face John, who smiled at her encouragingly and gave her a nudge. Audrey turned back to look

meeting. She seemed emboldened now by John’s affirmation that this was indeed her mommy. Audrey ran towards me as fast as

and even though I wasn’t fluent in the language, I was nonetheless moved by the earnestness with which Audrey cried. As she clung to my neck

the oddest feeling. Just as I had when I’d hugged Gregory, I felt a sudden rush of tears now as I held Audrey’s