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

But on second thought, it makes much sense. Indeed, it’s safer the further away they stay from me during this time.

After putting down the phone, I realized that Gregory and Audrey had come home at some time. The two children were standing at the side of the living room, holding hands while gazing at me from afar without saying a single word.

At once, I schooled my expression and opened my arms to them. “Quick, come over here, my darlings!”

Audrey’s eyes flicked down to my arms before she dropped Gregory’s hand and sprinted toward me. She lunged at me so forcefully that I was thrown back. Still, she giggled happily and kissed me fervently while hugging me around the neck. “Mommy! I missed you so much, Mommy! I love you loads!”

Undeniably, the warmth brought by one’s flesh and blood could easily banish one’s gloom. Grinning, I righted her and placed her on my lap. Patiently brushing off the strands of hair before her forehead, I inquired about her day at school as usual. “Tell me what you learned today, Audrey.”

At that, Audrey immediately scrambled off me and trotted over to Gregory. Snatching the drawing paper he was holding in his hand, she joyously ran back over to me and spread it open.

“Look, Mommy! I drew this! My teacher praised me in front of everyone in my class. She said that my drawing was the best!”

of several people. Two adults and four children were holding hands as they enjoyed themselves in the grassy meadow under

making it apparent that she loved every

spaced out as I looked at it, forgetting to give her an appropriate response. In turn, it resulted in her feeling a sense of uncertainty and uneasiness. “Do you

on her forehead as a reward. Then I took out my phone and tapped on the camera before taking a picture of the drawing to flaunt it off. “Here, let me take a picture of this beautiful drawing. I’ll post it on Instagram so

in her eyes. Lifting her head, she stared at me blankly, like a chubby porcelain doll. “Mommy, if I continue being

would you

“No, that’s not true. I was too naughty, so Daddy isn’t coming

my arm and shook it. “Mommy, tell Daddy that I’ll be good. Tell him to come back,

spoke, every drop

learned that Audrey had been privately questioning Gregory relentlessly about Ashton’s disappearance in the past few days though she made no mention of it before me. Gregory didn’t