Chapter 4

The next day, Josie arrived at the kindergarten to process Kira's withdrawal.

The teacher looked surprised. "Why the sudden decision to withdraw her?"

Josie replied, "Kira's grandparents live overseas. I'm planning to emigrate with her."

Just as she finished speaking, Graham appeared behind her, his face clouded with tension.

"Emigrate?" he repeated sharply.

The teacher was about to respond, but Josie cut in smoothly, "I said her grandparents moved abroad. If time allows, I'd like to take her to visit them."

For some reason, Graham seemed relieved.

He placed a folder on the desk. "These are Cami's enrollment documents."

The teacher smiled as she accepted the papers, full of praise. "Mr. Holloway, you're so thoughtful. Cami may not be your biological daughter, but the way you handle everything for her, I say you treat her even better than a real parent would."

To Josie, the words pierced like needles. Graham had never done anything like that for Kira.

If not for his recent run-in with Allison's daughter, he probably wouldn't even know which kindergarten Kira attended.

She couldn't help but speak. "Yes, Mr. Holloway really is a wonderful father."

Those last two words, she said with deliberate weight.

Graham faltered for a moment. He didn't snap back as expected. He simply stood there, silent.

Later that afternoon, Josie went to the art museum. A few of her pieces were on display there. She had come to take them down.

But as soon as she entered, she saw Graham standing with Allison.

The two stood side by side. Allison laughed with relaxed elegance, surrounded by several of Graham's acquaintances from the art world.

"I heard you've been secretly married for years," someone teased. "So this must be your wife?"

"A perfect match, truly—no wonder you kept her hidden. She's a beauty."

As the compliments floated through the air, Graham simply smiled and laced his fingers with Allison's, as if sealing the moment.

He made no move to correct them.

Standing in the back, Josie let out a quiet, self-mocking laugh.

So this was it.

From beginning to end, the one he had wanted to marry was always Allison.

Now, with the whole world watching, he was finally living that dream—appearing with her in public, hand in hand, no longer hiding.

And she—Josie—what had she been?

What, exactly, had the past ten years meant?

A heart already gone cold began to ache again. Her eyes reddened.

"Graham," she called softly.

He turned toward her, his gaze sharp and impersonal, a silent warning in his eyes.

"What is it?" he asked flatly, his tone distant, drawing a clear boundary.

The words she'd meant to say died on her tongue.

She had wanted to remind him—tomorrow was Kira's birthday. She had hoped he would remember to come home.

But now… it felt pointless.

Allison glanced at her and asked lightly, "Graham, do you know her?"

Without hesitation, Graham replied, "Not really."

Those two words landed like a knife.

Josie swallowed the bitterness rising in her throat.

Then Allison, as if twisting the blade, smiled and said, "You must be one of Graham's friends? We're getting married soon—we'll be sure to invite you."

Josie turned sharply to look at him, stunned.

Graham avoided her gaze, eyes shifting away.

Allison went on, almost too casually. "Before I went abroad, Graham and I made a ten-year promise. If I returned after ten years, he would marry me.

"I thought it was just something we said at the time. But I never imagined… he'd really wait ten years for me.

"So now I'm back—to keep my promise."