LOGIN"I had this place ready already," Jasper said as he helped bring in their bags. "I originally meant to keep it for relatives when they visited, but it works out perfectly for you two."He gestured down the hall. "The bedrooms are this way. I had Evie's room done up like a princess room. I think she'll like it."Evelyn stepped inside and saw the pink walls, the white canopy bed, and the shelves filled with picture books and toys. She bounced on her toes with excitement."Mommy, Mr. Jazz, look! It's so pretty!"Amelia turned to Jasper, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thank you, Jasper."-Northon, evening.Claire moved around the kitchen in an apron while barbecue ribs roasted in the oven, their sweet, smoky scent drifting through the open window and into the yard.Amelia walked in, holding Evelyn's hand. She had barely set down her luggage before Claire pulled her close and looked her up and down. "You've lost weight. You haven't been eating properly, have you?""Mom, I'm f
After ending Christopher's call, Amelia stared at the call log still glowing on her screen.He was right about one thing. There was no reason to attend that engagement party.She had thought she needed some formal moment to say goodbye to the past. Now, she understood that real goodbyes didn't need ceremony.Once the heart let go, that was enough.She set her phone on the coffee table and walked into the living room. Evelyn was lying on the rug, quietly fiddling with her blocks, her little face blank in a way Amelia understood at once.They were going to handle Evelyn's transfer paperwork tomorrow. Her daughter must have been reluctant to leave the new friends she had just made.Amelia sat down beside her and gently rubbed her head. "Are you sad about leaving your friends?"Evelyn looked up, a flash of hurt in her eyes, then nodded. "Yeah. Will I still get to see them?""Of course." Amelia took her small hand, her voice gentle. "Once we're settled in Northon, I'll bring you bac
Amelia held Evelyn's hand as they left the store, carrying the picture books they had bought, the little bear Evelyn liked, and the tiny pair of baby socks Amelia hadn't been able to leave behind.-A few days later, Amelia was on the living room floor building blocks with Evelyn when the doorbell rang.She got up and opened the door.Samantha stood outside in a polished dress, holding a gold-foil envelope in both hands. A perfectly measured smile rested on her face."Ms. Sinclair, I hope I'm not bothering you."She lifted the envelope slightly. "Chris and I are having our engagement party next weekend. I wanted to bring the invitation myself. I hope you'll come."Amelia took the envelope. Her fingertips brushed over the embossed gold lettering, but her heart stayed still.She gave a faint nod. "Thank you. I'll keep it in mind."A trace of disappointment flickered through Samantha's eyes when she saw how calm Amelia was, but she kept smiling. "Then I won't keep you from your
Christopher let himself wonder whether there was any point in going on at all.-Over the next few days, Amelia set work aside completely. She stayed home with Evelyn, reading with her, drawing with her, and building block towers on the living room floor. The days passed quietly, warm and peaceful. It was the most relaxed Amelia had been since joining the Academy of Aerospace.There were no endless project reports. No urgent overtime calls. No rumors, no drama, no exhausting entanglements. There was only Evelyn's laughter and the steady comfort of home, slowly loosening the knot Amelia had carried for too long.That afternoon, Amelia took Evelyn to the mall to buy picture books. As they passed a baby store, Evelyn suddenly stopped and pointed at the display window."Mommy, look! That little dress is so pretty."Amelia followed her gaze.A pink lace dress hung in the window, tiny rabbits embroidered along the skirt. Beside it were a pair of baby shoes and a soft stuffed animal.
Jessica didn't look surprised. She only pointed to the couch across from her. "Sit. I figured you'd show up tonight."Christopher sat down but said nothing, only looked at her.Jessica didn't rush him. She lowered her head and continued organizing the files in her lap.Finally, Christopher spoke. "I don't know how to handle relationships."Jessica drew in a slow breath.She set the files aside, got up, and poured him a glass of water. After placing it in front of him, she looked at him calmly. "Christopher, in your current state, you shouldn't be trying to handle a relationship at all."Christopher's hand paused around the glass, and he lifted his eyes to her."I'm a therapist. I know how important emotional stability is."Jessica's voice stayed soft. "I never expect someone who can't steady himself to talk about love or take responsibility for another person. That isn't fair to her, and it isn't responsible for you."After she said it, a quiet ache spread through her ch
Amelia held the phone, her fingertips turning cold.It took her only a second to understand why Christopher had called.He wasn't asking what had happened. He was calling to question her on Samantha's behalf.Her mouth curved faintly, her voice edged with sarcasm. "So this is an interrogation?"Christopher went quiet for a few seconds.Then, he let out a low sigh. "No. Maybe I came off wrong. I just wanted to ask what happened.""Ask what happened?"Amelia gave a soft laugh, her voice cooling. "Did Samantha not tell you what we said? Or did she tell you, and you didn't believe her, so you had to come and ask me? Christopher, don't you ever get tired of this?"She paused, her gaze falling on the clock on the wall. The second hand ticked steadily, each sound tapping against her already strained nerves."If you think I'm in your way, or if you're afraid I'll upset Samantha, just say so. Make up any excuse you want to keep me away from both of you. I won't cling to you, and I
Amelia was starting to get an idea of what was going on in Dorothy's mind.Perhaps Dorothy had seen the online article and was trying to stand up for her. Dorothy had always doted on her and couldn't bear to see her mistreated.She pursed her lips and said gently, "Grandma, there's nothing of that
Tania's words made the organizer instinctively turn to Amelia and survey her from head to toe.He was impressed. Amelia was, after all, a beauty.However, he quickly retracted his gaze and asked, "Is this a friend of yours?"Tania smiled and pulled Nathan into her arms. "My dear grandson's ex-nan
Nicole's eyes widened in disbelief."Me? Apologize to her?" Nicole almost smacked the table in anger as she gritted her teeth. "I didn't do anything wrong! Why should I apologize to her?"Dorothy looked calmly at her and said authoritatively, "In that case, we'll have to take back the company Chri
Amelia looked at the gown in her hands. "If you don't have money, call your son to come over right now to settle the bill."Lucia chuckled. "Isn't my son your husband? It's the same if you settle the bill on his behalf, so why make him come all the way here? Are you trying to keep his money for you







