When There Is Nothing Left But Love

The two sisters looked to be having more fun out there while Gregory and the housekeeper were hiding under the shade, completely in their own little world as they fiddled with some miniature laptops like usual.

Hearing a commotion coming from the study, I tore my gaze away and headed there.

I stopped at the doorway. Ashton and John were acting strangely civil with one another as they stared intently at the painting bought from Nathaniel’s art gallery yesterday.

The painting was being displayed on an easel in the center of the study. John sat in an armchair off to one side, occasionally sneaking interested glances at the artwork.

Ashton, on the other hand, was standing right in front of the easel. His expression was completely serious and his gaze was sharp as he reached out to feel the texture of the painting, as if he would be able to understand the artist’s emotions that way.

It took a while for them to notice my presence, Ashton’s eyes softening in mirth when he saw me. “You’re awake.”

“Mhm.” I entered the room, sitting down on a chair beside John. “Why were you so insistent on buying this painting? What’s so special about it?”

I eyed John as I spoke, curious about the answer.

visit while the older relatives have returned to the country,” John randomly said instead, changing the topic. “It’ll be easier since everyone’s in one place; I don’t have to run

being considerate of other people,

all, he hadn’t seen Emma in a long time. He

up, “I think that’s a good

be just the thing to

someone’s number as he made to leave the room. “Ask your

Ashton doesn’t deserve to be

lips quirked up as he helped me to my feet and led me

it to touch the surface of the canvas. The rough, uneven texture of the dried oil paints

because I lacked an artistic intuition, but I couldn’t feel any emotions rise within me even while observing the painting at such a close distance. After a short pause, I

picked up a single banknote, mysteriously pressing it

from your wealth?” I joked. “Is this going to help open up my third