When There Is Nothing Left But Love

He’d just finished speaking when John violently shrugged him off. Caught off-balance by John’s abrupt jerk, Joseph fell to the floor.

Joseph’s moans of pains mingled with Audrey’s piping voice. Joseph made a great effort to get up, but John cruelly stepped on him, hard, condemning him to lie pinned on the ground.

“You were never a match for me. How dare you touch me? You’re really a worthy sidekick for Ashton! A dog behaves exactly like its master. You’re both pathetic,” John spat resentfully. Every word, though directed at Joseph, was clearly meant for Ashton’s ears.

In one swift motion, John took his foot off Joseph, then spun around and sauntered over to Ashton. Without hesitation, John threw a hard punch in Ashton’s face, then immediately followed it with a flying kick.

Ashton flew backward, landing on the grass patch by the curbside. He struggled to stand, but John lunged forward and wrapped both arms around Ashton’s neck. He strangled Ashton and the latter’s face instantly darkened into a deep crimson. The fall had entirely wiped off Ashton’s earlier dignified manner.

“You didn’t see this coming, did you? I wasn’t able to take Letty with me six years ago. I will now,” John jeered. Through gritted teeth, he continued, “Look at you. You haven’t improved at all. Do you expect to be able to keep Scarlett with you based on that feeble amount of strength alone?”

By then, the servants had all crept out of the main house to watch the scene. They fretted over whether they should intervene but ultimately were overcome by their fear. No one stepped forward.

I, too, was dumbfounded by John’s sudden violence. Recovering, however, I glanced at Ashton’s pale face in worry.

really intending to kill

that I had no cause

however, intending to wrench John and Ashton apart, John

was still singing blissfully. “Jingle

at Ashton’s crumpled body. John then stepped over to where Audrey and I had been waiting and said

gently on her shoulder for her to

gladly. She clung to John, babbling eagerly, “Did you

her on the nose. “Of course, I won! How can Uncle

to Ashton, who was stumbling to his feet behind John.

made it perfectly evident that she was rather unimpressed. Her frown had deepened

The arrogant demeanor John had been wearing from his earlier victory faded. He

everyone’s surprise, rescued John from his humiliation. “Audrey, it’s all right. Daddy just tripped over and fell. It doesn’t hurt at all!” he said

if not for the bright-red specks of blood around his mouth. His

clearly in agony. Looking at the sorry sight he made before us, I felt a