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

“Are you saying that you’ve never tried to find out what happened to Macy back then?” I asked. My heart ached for Macy. If Jared really cared about her, why didn’t he even try?

The obvious answer was that he didn’t care. Otherwise, Jared wouldn’t have given up just like that. Not only had he never tried to look for Macy, he never even asked after her.

It made me even more fearful of handing Summer over to Jared.

He remained silent, biting his lip.

I’d calmed down. Looking at Jared’s troubled face, I vowed, “No matter what the Crests have planned for Summer, I will never give her up to you.”

I then stalked the rest of the way back to the table.

Ashton had been engaged in casual chit-chat with Joe. When he said me, he reached out in concern and asked, “What took you so long?”

“It’s nothing. Have you finished eating already?” We’d all gathered here today under the pretext of having dinner, but nobody had taken more than a few bites.

Ashton continued looking at me. “You’re not hungry?”

I shook my head vigorously. “Nope.”

Upon hearing this, Ashton pushed back his chair and stood up. Politely, he said to Joe, “It’s getting late. We’ll get going then.”

Obvious displeasure was written all over Joe’s face. He demanded, “Didn’t we agree to this get-together? Are you leaving before we’ve even gotten to say anything?”

late!” Ashton repeated firmly, hauling me along with him. Jared was smoking near the door.

we got into the car. “Ashton, do you think it’s right for me to

In a mellow voice, he asked, “Did Jared

whatever I do for

Summer everything, all those times that Jared had visited her at the villa. But what would I tell an innocent child of

Summer would

my hand with his. His gentle gaze soothed me. “How about this? Let Summer and the Crests get to acknowledge each other, but she continues to stay with us. They can

about it. For Summer, that would mean a bigger family and more

before replying uncertainly,

for agreement.

the villa when we got back. When she saw Ashton and me enter, she came running and flew into his arms. At her age, she was already rather adept

Fuller, I have something for you!” Summer announced, putting on an air

laughter, Ashton asked,

her hand. It was all very obvious to us,

instructed, “Give

obediently did so. A sweet encased in a shiny wrapper dropped into his outstretched

spite of myself. Children often derived joy

her up in his hands and carried her over to the sofa. Patiently, he asked, “Why did you suddenly want to give me

uncle gave it to her aunt when they got married. It’s

originally been heading towards the kitchen. My ears pricked up at her last sentence and halted immediately, turning

happiness made a