When There Is Nothing Left But Love (Ashton And Scarlett)

“Do we know each other?” I stammered hesitantly, frowning.

“It’s me,” The man muttered thickly. He looked as if he was struggling to quell some intense emotion that was rising within him. He cleared his throat, then said, raising his voice, “It’s me, John Stovall.”

John’s eyes were brimming with tears. When his statement elicited no response from me, he looked at rueful, then asked, “Have you really forgotten who I am?”

John? I pondered. That name sounds strangely familiar…

My eyes darted from him to the little girl standing just beside him. Realization dawned upon me.

John was a member of the Stovall family and “Scarlett”’s relative. I recalled briefly seeing him listed amongst the material that Ashton had given me. John had grown out his beard, which hindered me from recognizing him at first glance.

According to Ashton’s plan, I was to battle John in court over custody rights.

overwhelming surge of regret within me now? I wondered. The sight of

to Ashton, for using the pretense of

facing me. He then placed the

John had briefly announced, “I’m taking you with

never given up on searching for you. To take care of

eyes, however, John had to maintain his composure. He paused and took several long, deep breaths. Lowering his

remember anything. I’m here for you. Don’t worry about anything else. This envelope contains DNA proof of your relationship with Audrey, as well as a Share Transfer Agreement of half of Stovall Corporation’s shares. When you return, you’ll be the second-largest major shareholder

towards the little girl. He took her hand gently, then led her over to me.

and looked at me uncertainly. She turned back to face John, who smiled at her encouragingly and gave her a nudge.

had initially appeared more cautious than Gregory had been at our first meeting. She seemed emboldened now by John’s affirmation that this was indeed her mommy. Audrey ran towards me as fast as her short legs could carry her and wrapped her stubby arms around my neck. Sobbing, she cried again, “Mommy!

though I wasn’t fluent in the language, I was nonetheless moved by the earnestness

hugged Gregory, I felt a sudden rush of tears now as I held