When There Is Nothing Left But Love

At her age, Audrey couldn’t understand her uncle’s joke. Tilting her head, she asked with concern, “Uncle John, are you not feeling well? Me too. Just follow me, Uncle John!” She proceeded to demonstrate a breathing exercise. “Breathe out all the bad energy and you’ll be as good as new!”

Due to my previous experience with Summer, I was worried that Audrey had come down with some sort of illness. “Are you not feeling well, Audrey? Tell me where it hurts,” I asked anxiously.

Audrey shook her head first and peered at me innocently. “No. I just don’t like the smell of that man’s place.”

I immediately realized that she was talking about Nathaniel’s art gallery. Indeed, oil paint gave off an unusual smell, but it was already much better after drying up. The paintings had also undergone special care and maintenance. Hence, the smell usually wouldn’t affect its viewers. I never expected Audrey’s nose to be so sensitive.

No wonder Ashton brought her outside within a few minutes of exploring the gallery. He probably noticed Audrey’s discomfort.

My eyes snapped to Ashton, to which he calmly explained, “She’s allergic to oil paint, but she didn’t come in direct contact with it, so she’s fine.”

I was taken aback for a moment, not expecting him to be so attentive when it came to matters regarding our child.

But in the next second, I noticed that something didn’t add up. If Audrey is allergic, then why did he buy that painting?

As if reading my mind, Ashton added, “I would never spend my wife’s money if it wasn’t for a good reason. You’ll understand when we get back.”

and Audrey was fine, I didn’t

to The Jade first. We’ll go

food. Thus, she immediately bubbled with excitement. “Yay! I wanna eat lots and lots

look at me with puppy dog eyes.

just a meal. It was good for boys to learn to be independent from a young age. Besides, the school wasn’t on the

explain to Audrey, Ashton stated

you!” Audrey clapped her

intersection, Joseph replied, “Yes, sir.” Then, he swiftly switched to another lane

bordering on fatuous. Needless to say, this

such unconditional indulgence to

blood ties. A daughter would always be the

this, I couldn’t help

was accepted into a program

her own right, she was still a teenager after all. Without the

unresolved. I didn’t know when I could finally be a part of her life