Julia turned around.
Ashton saw beads of her tears streakng her cheeks and her reddened eyes. She looked like a pitiful puppy abandoned on the roadside. His heart skipped a beat, and Ashton's heart ached at that sight. His voice softened to a gentle tone as he reached out to wipe her tears away. "Didn't you ask me to pretend that I don’t know you? Why are you acting like this then?”
Julia glowered at Ashton. She pouted and pushed him away. "Get out of my way. I'm leaving." She was about to walk away.
To her surprise, Ashton grabbed her hand. She yelped and that was when he noticed her scalded hand. He frowned, "What happened?”
Julia retracted her hand. Clasping her hand that was burning with pain, she tried to sound casual, "It's nothing. Don't worry about it, Mr. Holland. It’s nothin
