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

Ashton stopped massaging me. “He doesn’t have a choice.”

After a brief pause, he changed the topic. “Let me put it this way. If we’re on the brink of death, who would you choose between me and our children? You can only pick one.”

I thought he was insinuating something and immediately tensed up. Pulling his hands away, I turned to face him and replied firmly, “That day won’t come again.”

Chuckling, Ashton wrapped his arms around me and asked, “Just assume it did happen. Who will you pick? Me or the kids?”

Realizing it was a joke, I relaxed visibly. As I pondered about it, I swayed my body, causing Ashton to sway along with me on the couch. “I’ll pick the kids. They are still young and have a long way to go. We’re getting old now, so it doesn’t matter if our lives end now. If something happens to you, I’ll leave with you!”

Without knowing it, I had my arms wrapped around Ashton’s neck like a koala bear. Winking at him, I tried to fish for praise.

My answer was satisfactory. Though I had picked the kids, we would end up together. There was no way he’d seethe in jealousy at my answer.

didn’t seem surprised at all. “I

on his face widened as he explained, “That’s the exact reason why Jared needs to leave. With him here, you’ll never be Summer’s top priority. Scar, my ranking in your heart doesn’t matter. But those whom you

him? He’s making me tear up. He is playing the bad guy and wants everyone to prioritize me. Isn’t he

will love you less for

to me and those who brought me up hated me. It

you so considerate…” My voice was thick with tears. It seemed that a simple gesture would make tears roll down

of me that Jared had six whole years to take

arms silently, not daring to utter a word. Even my breathing

to look for an appropriate way to clear the air

to part my lips when someone

“Come in.”

door opened, revealing Summer, who