When There Is Nothing Left But Love

“Yes.” I glanced at Shaun, barely able to hide my surprise. He had been standing silently behind Gregory all this while, and if I had not turned around earlier, I might have questioned my hearing. Shaun had, without a doubt, drawn the analogy of the dolls calmly.

Despite the glaring lack of scientific evidence backing his claims, it was more than enough to convince Audrey.

Children of the same age had an inexplicable way of understanding one another. Both Gregory and Shaun had the same uncanny way of getting through to Audrey where adults could not.

There was virtue in keeping things simple, especially when it came to reasoning with children.

Children viewed the world through a simple lens, and they tended to categorize things into neat blacks and whites. They were acceptable of boundaries their parents drew; yet, raising them in an overly-sheltered environment could inadvertently backfire and impede their development.

I relaxed slightly as these thoughts crossed my mind. The sight of Nora’s eerily-similar face no longer frightened me as much as it did.

Shaun’s words completely helped us out of the situation. Thus, Nathaniel and Nora had no excuse to keep us from leaving anymore.

I had no desire to stay in this wretched place any longer.

Ashton silently made a move to lead the kids away. Nora, however, was not about to let Shaun getaway after ruining her plans, and she grabbed him before he could approach us.

and scrutinized him. She cooed like an excessively-friendly elder,

her calmly before looking at Ashton and me. He said, “Mr. and Mrs. Fuller adopted me. I’m their

continued, “Your family has finally reunited after a long time. I thought you’d be dying to shower

long enough for any of us to rebuke her. “Fate has brought this kid into our acquaintance. It’s fortuitous that Nat and I don’t have children. Why don’t we adopt him instead? We can share your burdens

her offer when Ashton’s voice rang out. “I can afford to care for as many kids as I please. There’s no need to trouble outsiders at

his gaze and glanced at Shaun. “Why are you standing there? Do you really want to stay

shoulders. He walked toward us determinedly, making

say

mussed his hair fondly

don’t have to send us

nodded at the couple in farewell and ushered the kids

we were safely in the car, the children

even Gregory struggled to keep her in her

the cake when I

resignation, “Whatever you