When There Is Nothing Left But Love
Chapter 1197

Chapter 1197

Standing in front of the lamp, Ashton’s shadow enshrouded my view as though a giant was right in frontof me. We used to be one, but our future would depend on his answer.

After a long while, he looked at me with his brows arched in confusion. He placed his hands on myshoulders and announced, “Scarlett, I love you to the extent I have been deceiving myself to forgetyour identity as the granddaughter of the person who brought upon my parents’ demise. Vengeanceused to be the only thing keeping me alive, but your presence has given me a brand new reason tolive.”

I returned the favor and placed my hands on his shoulders, replying in a hushed voice, “Can youplease put the grudge you held aside for the time being for our family’s sake?”

The only thing keeping us apart was the secrets we had been keeping to ourselves. Since we had letthe cat out of the bag, I wished not to allow anything to get in the way of our relationship anymore-neither of us wished to be apart from one another.

Nonetheless, moving on was easier said than done. Ashton, who had been pretty patient, went deadsilent.

I refused to give up just yet. I placed his hand on the baby bum[ and uttered softly, “Ashton, Macy isdead, and Jackson is heavily injured. Armond has gotten you over because he wants to figure out ifwe’re on good terms with one another. If you keep going after him, we’ll all end up dead. Is that reallywhat you want?”

The man before me remained silent. It would be extremely difficult for him to get rid of the pent-upgrudge that had built up within him over the past three decades.

Although I was conscious of his feelings, leaving him to hold onto the anger was a risk we as a couplecouldn’t take.

I took a deep breath and moved away from him to collect my thoughts. After regaining my composure, Ilooked at him in the eyes and said, “I know I’m supposed to support you as your wife, but as a mother, Idon’t think it’s wise to stay by your side because our children’s lives are at stake. If you insist onexposing us to unnecessary risks, I’m afraid I’ll have to leave.”

When I was eighteen-year-old, I married someone who wouldn’t take me seriously. When I was in mymid-twenties, I forsook everything and devoted myself to our relationship. Unfortunately, I couldn’t bearto lose my children when I was in my mid-thirties.

At that point, John couldn’t take it anymore. He yelled, “It’s not up to him anymore! The ones behind thescenes must have been alarmed after we waged war against the Ziegler family. We have reached thepoint of no return. In short, filing for divorce is the only option available to keep you safe.”

I was reluctant to give up on our marriage that had lasted for a decade, yet John’s words worked like acharm and reminded me of our dire situation. If it was merely a showdown between Ashton and hisfoes, it wouldn’t be a big deal. Unfortunately, it had morphed into a feud between two families, and thatincluded my children and me.

It was evident Armond, who had gone into hiding and showed up out of nowhere, came prepared. AsAshton had broken Mitchell’s arms and waged war against the Ziegler family because of me, Armondcould easily verify my relationship with Ashton. Perhaps he wouldn’t show me any mercy the next timehe got his hands on me.

When Cameron and Zachary walked into the foyer, they were startled by the silence in the spaciousliving room.

“What’s going on?” Cameron, who was quite a distance away, asked before making her way into theliving room.

When we heard her innocent question, we snapped out of confusion and snapped back to our senses.

I returned to my seat and massaged my swollen temples, feeling exhausted. “It’s nothing. Why are youguys here in the middle of the night?”

Cameron and Zachary exchanged glances casually. “We’re merely here to visit you and Summerbecause it has been quite some time since our last meeting.”

It wasn’t the best time to visit. It was evident those were merely excuses they had made up to disguisethe actual goal of their visit. Perhaps they had come for Ashton.

Should I consider myself lucky or not? They’re trying to keep me in the dark with Ashton for my sake,yet it feels like I’m the outsider when they’re my biological parents.

“It’s not necessary to keep it from her anymore.” Halfway through his sentence, Ashton turned aroundand looked at me. “She has already figured out everything on her own.”

Although I was startled by his statement, it was the right thing to do. It would be a waste of time andeffort to keep me in the dark when I was already conscious of everything.