LOGINAlvin never came back to Riverton.I figured only Jace could keep someone that stubborn away.He didn't mention it again. I didn't ask.Life settled down.Six months later, I made assistant project manager.Jace picked me up to celebrate.A small bouquet of lilies of the valley sat on the passenger seat.I'd mentioned they were my favorite once, passing a flower shop.I picked them up and smiled. "What's all this for?"His ears went pink.This time, he didn't dodge.He parked by the river.The night breeze was cool.We stood in silence until Jace finally said what I'd known all along."Lena Hart, I like you."You don't owe me anything because Grandpa likes you or I've been good to you."Take your time. You can say no."I just wanted you to know."A boat passed, its lights scattering across the ripples.My eyes stung.Five years with Alvin had felt like one long test.Prove I didn't care about money.Prove I loved him.Prove I was worth choosing.Now someone was
Alvin went white, like he'd never thought I could hate him."Lena..."I was done listening.I walked around him and left.Jace opened the car door for me without looking back.He didn't ask questions on the drive.Near my apartment, I spoke."Jace.""Yeah?""I loved someone once. A lot." I watched the streetlights pass. "I didn't care if he was broke or unlucky. I thought we could handle anything if we loved each other."Then I found out all five years were a lie."I turned to him. "I can't trust love right now. Maybe not for a long time."He knew what I meant.Jace was a good guy. He shouldn't waste his time waiting for someone who'd stopped believing in love.After a moment, he smiled. "I can't change what happened."But you have nothing to be ashamed of."The light turned red.He stopped and turned to me. "Of course it scared you."But it's part of who you are now."Tears stung my eyes.I looked down. "Thank you."His words touched me.That was all.I hadn't e
Alvin showed up after dinner with the Whitmores.Arthur had wanted fish and insisted I join them.Afterward, Jace walked me out.Flowering trees dotted the grounds, their faint scent drifting through the garden.I stepped off the stairs and froze.A thin man in a black suit stood under a nearby streetlight.I knew him even from there.Alvin.He looked rough.Dark circles. Stubble.The Danford heir who'd always looked so polished, so in control, now looked almost shabby under the light.Jace noticed me freeze. "Know him?" he asked quietly.I nodded. "Used to."Alvin's gaze shifted between us.His face paled, but he came closer."Lena. I finally found you."I said nothing.His eyes reddened. "I know everything."Your mom was sick. You needed that money for surgery."You didn't steal the necklace. Callie paid Martha to plant it."She messed with the grave too."And that night..."He swallowed."The hospital told me you lost the baby. I... I killed our baby..."The
In my third month in Riverton, I earned my first real bonus.Just $1,800.I stared at my bank balance for a long time.I'd won cash before.Every time, I'd come home happy.Then Alvin would have another emergency, and every dollar would be gone.This was different.I'd earned it.No tests.No one waiting for me to hand it over.I bought the dress I'd wanted for ages and saved the rest.That night, curled up in my little bed, I finally felt secure.Making my own luck felt good.Work settled into a routine.I started with the basics.Then a project hit trouble, and its lead quit. My supervisor asked around. Nobody wanted it."Let me try."Everyone looked surprised.The client had a reputation for being difficult.For two weeks, I showed up daily with my files and reviewed every past discussion.When we signed, the client smiled. "You're different, Ms. Hart. You actually want to fix the problem."That helped shake the self-doubt Alvin had left behind.Then came a pro
I shook my head. "No, thanks."Arthur blinked.I rushed to explain. "You've already helped plenty. Saving you doesn't mean I get to take everything you offer."I'll find my own place and a job."And that date..." I shifted. "I'm not looking to date right now."He watched me, then sighed. "You're stubborn."I pressed my lips together, then hesitated. "But I could use your help with one thing."Arthur sat up. "Tell me."I clenched my hands. "I came here to get away from someone."He'll find my flight records soon. He has the resources to track where I stay, where I go."I know your family can help."Could you hide my trail after I landed?"Arthur's smile faded.He studied me but didn't ask who or why."Okay. I'll handle it."After that, Alvin could only trace me as far as Riverton.Where I went, where I lived, where I worked—he couldn't find a thing.I could finally stop worrying.A month flew by.I rented a small apartment, settled in, and updated my résumé.Soon, I
Lena's POVI'd been in Riverton over a month.When I boarded that plane, I hadn't expected my luck to turn around on my first day without Alvin.Less than two hours into the flight, a commotion broke out in business class.An elderly man went pale, clutched his chest, and collapsed beside his seat.A flight attendant called out, "Is there a doctor on board? Anyone trained in first aid?"I stood right up.Mom had heart disease. I'd taken first-aid classes and gotten certified in case she ever needed help.By the time I reached him, he was unconscious.The flight attendants brought emergency equipment.I knelt and helped. My hands went numb from chest compressions, but I didn't dare stop.Over ten minutes later, he started breathing faintly.Paramedics boarded as soon as we landed and took him away.I left my contact info with the crew and headed out with my suitcase.I hadn't done anything special.After years of caring for Mom, I knew what it felt like to watch someone y







