When There Is Nothing Left But Love

Ashton reached out to take the wineglass from me before placing it on the coffee table out of my reach. Mirth shone in his eyes as he replied, “Why should I be upset? Can’t you see how delighted I am?”

“Delighted?” I repeated, dumbfounded.

Do all men think bullying girls is a way to show their love?

“Ashton, you should take lessons to learn how to be a good father.”

Summer was still a child, so he shouldn’t express his feelings and expectations to her as though she were an adult. His harsh actions might backfire on an adult, let alone a child.

“Seriously? I don’t have to learn how to do that,” said Ashton smugly. “Didn’t you realize Summer has chosen us?”

“Did she?” I couldn’t understand what he was talking about. “But neither of you mention Jared, right?”

“Yes, we didn’t.” Ashton looked up and sipped on his wine. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed the wine. His lips stained red, he answered slowly, “Summer decided to stay silent when faced with a choice of defending Jared or go against us. No one urged or forced her to make that decision.”

study me momentarily as the smile on his lips broadened. “That means we are more important than Jared to her.

words seemed to make sense, but not at the same

Jared still have to

words. There was only less than a mouthful of wine in

by sending

I couldn’t help

other’s business. Spend more time at home with the kids. They

me take his words seriously. “Are you sure I’ll be spending time with

just benefiting

approaching, everyone seemed to be in a festive mood. The streets were lit

had always been. The smell of disinfectant lingered in the air, and there

the hospital and asked