When There Is Nothing Left But Love

Ashton laughed at my warning. “You don’t understand. This is between men,” he said as he took off his coat.

I shrugged. “I truly can’t understand how a man can bully the young.”

“What’s happening here?” Cameron asked with concern. She thought we were arguing.

“It’s nothing. Just something about the kids.” Ashton ended the discussion before it could continue further.

I shook my head resignedly and rolled my eyes at him when I caught his gaze. His authoritarianism and chauvinism are obvious in his actions, yet he continues to deny them. Men!

Having experienced getting his full name called by Ashton, Gregory didn’t come out of his room for dinner. Instead, he locked himself in the study. Even Audrey couldn’t get him out.

After several futile attempts by the maid, Ashton got up from his seat and strode toward the stairs.

I recognized that look. He was about to use force.

“Wait,” I called urgently, following behind him. “I’ll call him down. You stay right behind me.”

thought Ashton was stressing him out too much. That kind of absolute obedience and expectation to execute every order without fail is too inappropriate for

can understand Ashton’s hope for Gregory to shoulder all his burdens. However, I hope Gregory can understand he has another

at the study

Knock! Knock!

I come in?” I asked after knocking on the

should always

was no

door. “Mommy, don’t worry about me. You can eat first. I should be

and agreeing with my opinion.

was too cautious and strict on matters

come in and talk to

Another silence followed.

my eyes at Ashton as though telling him that I was the one

about to give up, the

looked down immediately and walked out of his room with his

eye level and grabbed his arms. “Are you not hungry? Your sister is not eating because you’re not there. You don’t want her to starve herself now, do you?”