Chapter 2

Kids knew how to work the system. Sophie was well aware that David wouldn't let her have ice cream, but if she asked with Emily around, her dad would cave every time.

And if he still said no, Emily would jump in and back her up.

That was not something her mom would ever do.

So Emily could get better sooner, David even asked me to whip up some home-cooked recovery meals for her.

"Takeout isn't exactly the healthiest choice. Normally it's no big deal, but since Emily's not well, she should probably skip it," he said.

"Can you make her some light bone broth? I'll drop it off for her," he added.

I couldn't help feeling a bit annoyed. "How much longer do I have to keep taking care of her?"

David let out a soft laugh, his voice gentle. "You know what they say, it takes a hundred days to heal from something like this. So, at most, a hundred days."

He sighed again. "She's got no family left, so it's really up to us, her friends, to be there for her."

I ran my fingers through my hair, feeling frustrated. 'Three whole months? Seriously?' I thought.

I barely even knew her.

Seeing I was still upset, he softened up a bit.

"I'll call Michael later and ask them what's up. For now, get the bone broth going," he said.

He tried to cheer me up. "It's your birthday this weekend. The three of us will go out for your favorite seafood."

I was in the kitchen, cooking, when I could faintly hear David and Sophie chatting in the living room.

They were discussing all sorts of things they wanted to buy.

I couldn't help but glance over at them, a small smile tugging at my lips.

I didn't have a place to stay in Cloudridge, and I didn't know a single soul here.

The only reason I ended up here was because Dave and I had talked about coming for a vacation. It was all part of a plan we made before.

Before I could even start packing, Sophie showed up.

Samuel must've noticed I was off because he kept glancing at me, looking hesitant.

Finally, he said, "If you don't have anywhere to go, you can come with us to Chloe's hometown."

"We won't be there for long, and after that, we'll wander around Cloudridge. We could be travel buddies," he added.

He was careful not to make me feel awkward, explaining gently.

I wanted to laugh, but I also felt like crying.

Even though Samuel was basically a stranger and we'd only been traveling together for a short while, he still noticed something was off with me and worried I might do something stupid.

But David and I had been married for seven years, and I hadn't been in a good place for the past month.

He either hadn't noticed, or he'd taken it for granted and ignored me.

Chloe's hometown was a small town, with rolling hills stretching out behind it.

Samuel's actual niece had already gone back to the Foster Family in Riverside City, and Chloe's biological parents knew she'd be visiting today.

When the three of us finally found the place with the address, we knocked for ages, but no one answered.

Chloe and I stared at each other, and Samuel pulled out his phone to call.

After more than half an hour, a middle-aged woman in a blue shirt finally strolled over from outside.

She looked Chloe up and down. "So, you're my kid, huh?

"Didn't the Foster Family in Riverside City say they were loaded? Why'd they let you come back?" the woman asked.

She pushed the door open and pointed at the filthy, cluttered yard. "See for yourself. This is what our place is like. It's not easy taking care of you."

Even though I'd braced myself, I still got pissed. "She's your daughter. She got back today. Why are you treating her like this?"

"What's wrong with my attitude?" the woman retorted. "She's a daughter. Raising my son is hard enough as it is. Now she's back, mooching off me, why should I be nice?

"If she can't take it, she can suck it up. If she really can't, she can go find those rich parents of hers," the woman said.

I was about to argue with her, but Samuel gently held me back and shook his head. "Let's go."

He took Chloe by the hand and firmly pulled me along with his other hand as we left.

Chloe's face was already streaked with tears.

As we stepped out of the yard, we bumped into five or six kids, clearly Chloe's siblings, with her features written all over their faces.

Five girls crowded around the youngest boy, who was clutching a sausage.

Grease was smeared all over his mouth as he chowed down, oil dripping from his chin.

He said arrogantly to his third sister, "You're doing my homework today."

He didn't even have a backpack. The girl right next to him, eyes glued to the sausage and swallowing hungrily, had two backpacks slung over her shoulders.

Samuel and I both fell silent.

Chloe, who'd been all cheerful and energetic on the way here, was now a totally different person.

On the train, she'd been a bit nervous and uneasy, but mostly, she had that fearless optimism, like a kid who'd never been hurt before.

Now, her whole face was downcast, but she still let go of Samuel's hand with unwavering resolve.

Her eyes were misty, but her voice was remarkably resolute.

"Samuel, you should go. I can't go back and take Ella Foster's life away from her," she said.

She continued, "I've already had so many years of love from Mom, Dad, you, and Grandma and Grandpa in the Foster Family. I can't be selfish and go back now, taking their attention away from her."

Samuel reached out and gently ruffled her hair.

He paused for a moment, then said, "Chloe, I might not be able to care for you with the same tenderness as your mom and dad, but I promise you'll always have everything you need as you grow up."

My eyes grew hot with emotion for no reason.