Chapter 1

When I got home, the living room was a disaster. My daughter's favorite Lego castle had been smashed into pieces, and three filthy boys were stomping over the debris.

A woman in a white dress sat calmly on the couch.

It was Zachary Sanders' first love, Amelia Norris.

Zachary walked out of the kitchen carrying a platter of sliced fruit and thoughtfully handed Amelia a fork.

When he saw me standing at the door, he froze for a moment, but he quickly went back to acting like he was in the right.

"Perfect timing. Amy just moved into the neighborhood next to ours, so she brought the kids over so they could get to know each other."

Amelia stood and rubbed her hands nervously.

"Rebecca, I'm really sorry for the disturbance. Zachary said you're usually busy with work and don't have time to keep Penelope company, so I thought I'd bring my kids over to play with her."

I looked at the shattered Lego pieces on the floor and then pointed at the three boys who were still running around.

"Is this what you call playing with my daughter?"

Zachary frowned and set the fruit platter down heavily on the coffee table.

"Rebecca, what's with that attitude? There's nothing wrong with being lively. Besides, it's just a toy. I'll buy her another one. Do you really have to put on a sour face in front of our guests?"

I walked up to him and held his gaze.

"Guests? They could use our permanent address, and you're telling me they're merely guests?"

His expression shifted, and he instinctively looked away before straightening again.

"Since you already know, there's no point in hiding it anymore. Amy's raising three kids alone in this city. She doesn't even have local residency. Without residency, the kids can't enroll in school. What's wrong with me helping her out?"

I laughed in disbelief.

"You're helping her out? You used all the enrollment slots tied to the school district property I bought to help her. Do you even realize our daughter is starting elementary school this year?"

Zachary waved me off impatiently.

"I told you over the phone—Penelope's only six. Starting school a year later won't hurt her. Amy's oldest is already ten. If he waits any longer, he won't even make it into middle school. You're a mother. How can you have so little compassion?"

Amelia's eyes reddened, and right on cue, her tears began to fall.

"Rebecca, if anyone's at fault, it's me. Don't blame Zachary. He only did this because he felt sorry for me. If you're uncomfortable with this, I'll revert everything to its original state tomorrow. I'll even take the kids back to the countryside and have them work on the farm instead."

Zachary immediately grabbed her arm, his expression softening with pity.

"What are you talking about? I'm the one calling the shots here!"

With that, he turned and glared at me.