Chapter 1

My husband's older brother had barely been in the ground when my husband openly brought up taking care of Grace White.

"She's raising a kid on her own. It isn't easy. I'll go over there more, and I'll help her out with some money too."

He said it like it was the most natural thing in the world, as if it were somehow his duty.

I kept mopping the floor without stopping. My voice was calm, but cold.

"Fine.

If you want to play the devoted brother, then I can be the devoted sister too.

From today on, you take care of Grace, and I'll take care of Mark.

However much time and energy you spend, I'll match it.

However much money you give, I'll give the same.

If this marriage is going to continue, then it continues on equal terms.

If you want double standards, then we can live our own separate lives.

And neither of us gets to accuse the other of crossing the line or going too far!"

*****

Right after the funeral, Grace stood there crying softly, looking at my husband, Kevin Rivers, with total dependence in her eyes.

Kevin had always been soft-hearted, and family meant everything to him.

I knew him too well. Once he'd made up his mind, he had no sense of boundaries, and definitely no idea what fairness looked like.

His father had died when he was young, and his mother remarried. He and his older brother had basically raised each other, and they had been incredibly close.

So all the guilt Kevin felt toward his late brother got dumped onto Grace and Ruby.

He suggested bringing Grace and Ruby to live with us so we could take care of them together.

I asked him straight up if he was planning to play husband to two households.

He looked completely justified. "My brother's gone. I can't just leave them with no one to rely on."

Kevin and I lived alone in a spacious three-bedroom penthouse, so yes, the place did feel a little empty.

I understood how Kevin felt, and I did feel sorry for Grace and Ruby too.

But before they moved in, I made Kevin agree to three rules.

Our marriage came first, he had to keep proper boundaries with Grace, and anything important had to be discussed with me first. He agreed to all of it without hesitation.

The very next morning after I said yes, he drove out early to pick Grace and Ruby up.

They moved in on a rainy day. When I opened the door, Grace stood there in a white slip dress, looking fragile and pitiful, with three-year-old Ruby holding her hand.

Grace spoke in a soft, timid voice, "Kevin, Lily, sorry for troubling you both."

"Grace, we're family. From now on, you and Ruby should treat this like your own home." My feelings were all over the place, but I turned around and went to get them slippers.

"Let me do that, Kevin. You're soaked. Go change into something dry first." Grace reached for the bags as she spoke.

Kevin jerked his hand back like he'd touched something hot, and the suitcase dropped onto the floor with a thud.

"Was it too heavy? Thanks for all the trouble, Kevin." Her voice stayed just as soft as ever.

"It's fine." Kevin picked the suitcase back up and carried it to the bedroom at the far end of the living room.

"This will be your room from now on. Take a look and see if you like it. If you need anything, just tell Lily or me." He set the luggage down.

"Yeah. We didn't have much time to prepare, so this is all we could get ready for now. If anything's missing, just let me know," I said with a faint smile.

"Wow, Mom, is this our new home now? It's so pretty!" Ruby's sweet little voice rang out.

Her big eyes darted all around the room as she touched the bed and peeked into the cabinets.

Grace smiled gently. "That's right, Ruby. You have to listen to Uncle Kevin and Aunt Lily from now on, okay? No being naughty."

"Grace, you two should get some rest first." Then Kevin and I left the room.

At dinner time, Grace rushed to tie on an apron and started washing and chopping vegetables like she knew her way around the kitchen.

She spoke in a quiet, careful voice. "Lily, Kevin, just wait and eat. I'll cook." There was a hint of eagerness to please in her eyes.

She made a few simple dishes. The flavors were light, but they tasted pretty good.

"I don't know if it suits your taste, but if there's anything you like, just tell me. You both work so hard. From now on, I'll cook for you," she said.

"Lily, see how thoughtful Grace is? With her helping around the house, you'll have it easier too."

"Grace is an amazing cook. Lily's always busy with work, so we usually eat out." Kevin couldn't stop praising her while he ate.

I smiled and nodded along.

Coming home to a hot meal wasn't exactly something I'd complain about.