When There Is Nothing Left But Love
Chapter 467

My smile faltered as I subconsciously turned toward John and said, “John, even Summer couldunderstand the theory. Stop living in a world of your own.”

He pressed his lips together and didn't respond.

As a normally quiet person, Hannah never spoke much either.

After the meal, when we moved to have tea in the yard, Summer pestered Hannah to look at theflowers at the rear of the house.

As I sat across John, I decided not to beat around the bush. “When do you plan to hold thewedding?” I asked.

He furrowed his brows. “What wedding?”

“Your wedding with Ms. Anne, of course. Are you planning to get a marriage certificate after she hasgiven birth?”

He shrugged nonchalantly and replied, “I don't plan to get married. I do want the child since it'smine, but I have no plans to marry her. After the delivery, I'll give her a sum of money and transferthe guardianship of the child under you. It's the same thing as when Summer was transferred toyou.”

Listening to him, I was momentarily speechless from the wave of anger. Had it not been because thetea in my hands was scalding hot, I would have splashed it right in his face.

“John Stovall! Do you have any idea how irresponsible you are? I already feel sorry for Summer, yetyou're planning to let your child be born into a single-parent family? Moreover, what's so bad aboutHannah? She's elegant and magnanimous. The only reason you could degrade her this way isbecause she loves you. Don't wait for the day when she has given up that you realize what exactlyyou did wrong!”

Indifferent, he sipped his tea and leaned against the chair, speaking in a leisure tone, “She wantsmoney—I'll give her money. She gives birth to my child, and I give her money in return—is that nottaking responsibility? Besides, I'm sure you'll dote on the child the same way you love Summer.”

Ui

Unable to hold back, I splashed the cup of tea in my hand in his direction and yelled, “Stopdreaming! I won't raise your child. Since you've decided to keep it, as a man, you have theobligation to make her your wife!”

I was infuriated beyond reason. In an attempt to suppress my anger, I whirled around and headedtoward the rear of the house.

It had been a long time since I last got that agitated. Bumping into Ashton, who had just comedown from the second floor, he questioned, “What happened?”

“Men are all good-for-nothing!” I answered furiously, having yet to calm myself down.

Ashton was speechless. A short while later, when I'd calmed my emotions, he chuckled. “Not madanymore?”

I nodded, looking at him somewhat awkwardly. “Earlier—"

“I get it. Was it about John and Ms. Anne?” He smiled in understanding.

“For a woman such as Hannah, once he has missed it, he'll never replace it again. Rather thancherishing the gem he has, he's decided not to get married. Sc*mbag!”

With an arm outreached, he took me aside to rest on a chair and said gently, “Are you mad becausehe doesn't know how to cherish her or because of how he feels toward you?”

I was stunned for a minute when I glanced up into his fervent gaze. It took a while for me to replace myvoice and said, “His feelings for me aren't romantic but like siblings. It's just that he’s yet to realizeit.”

I understood precisely how well John treated me. All these years, he had considered everythingabout me in his heart. In outsiders’ eyes, it seemed to be no different from a relationship betweenman and woman. But having gotten involved in a real relationship, how could I not know whatJohn's feelings were for me? We knew each other since we were young and lived through the hardtimes by each other's side. Having spent those years together, how could I not differentiate betweenfamily and love?

We were both lonely at heart. Without Grandma and Macy, the only person we had to depend onwere each other.

If he were to feel romantically for me—based on his personality—he would've made a move a longtime ago.

Ashton watched me for a long time without saying a word.

Standing in his shoes, I could understand what he was worried about and said in assurance, “I wasmad because he couldn't see through his own feelings. I fear it'll take him losing the most importantperson to him before he finally gets himself together. I was mad about how clueless he was.”Pausing, I grabbed his hand and got serious. “Ashton, we're not kids anymore. Having lived fornearly half my life, I'm clear about what my heart wants. I merely don’t wish for John to live inregrets, that's all.”

Despite all that I said, Ashton only stared at me dispiritedly, staying quiet. I searched his face butcouldn't figure out what his true thoughts were. Believing that he was mad, I added, “Ashton, youcan't be this petty.”

His lips curved, a hint of amusement shining in his eyes. “What do I have to do to not be consideredpetty?”

Realizing that he was teasing me, I shot him a glare and refused to communicate further.

Before I could stand up and get away, he plopped me down onto his lap and encircled my waist, hisvoice laced with amusement. “How about we let them handle their own problems while we live ourown lives?”