Chapter 4

I'd been running around all day, barely stopping to catch my breath. When I finally glanced at the clock on the wall, I realized I was already late to pick Michael up from school.

I rushed to the kindergarten, but the place was empty. My heart skipped a beat. I thought I'd really messed up this time.

Just then, someone suddenly hugged my leg from behind. The familiar feeling made me finally relax.

"Michael, stop messing around," I said.

It turned out that Kyler Townsend, Alissa Townsend's son from next door, had picked Michael up from school.

He worked as a civil servant in town, but he wasn't uptight or boring at all. He actually had a great sense of humor. If I'd met someone like him before Rodney, I would've thought I was the luckiest girl in the world.

But I was just not cut out for that kind of happiness. With Michael by my side, I just want to spend the rest of my life quietly, just the two of us.

"Scarlett, were you busy today? Michael's been looking forward to seeing you all afternoon," Kyler said.

I gently pried Michael off my leg, took his little hand, and gave Kyler a grateful smile. "Yeah, I'm always making you do this for me. Thanks again for picking him up."

Kyler blushed, though I wasn't sure why. "Really, it's no trouble at all. I pass by here on my way home anyway."

We always took this road home together.

"I still feel a bit guilty about it," I said.

As dusk fell, we walked side by side toward home. Michael skipped along, tugging at my hand and flashing Kyler a big grin every now and then.

"Mom!" Michael called out.

"What's up?" I answered softly.

"Kyler bought me candy and an Ultraman toy! I'm gonna go fight the big monsters now!" Michael said, bouncing with excitement.

It was rare to see Michael just being a kid, that pure, innocent smile lighting up his face.

Back then, the Greers would take him to their mansion during the day. Their rules were so strict that they made a three-year-old memorize sonnets and poems, learn piano, and study foreign languages.

Even as an adult, I found it suffocating, so for a kid, it must've been unbearable.

I sneaked a look at Kyler. All the warmth and care Rodney never gave Michael, Kyler seemed to offer without even trying...

Maybe I should find him a dad he actually liked, before he got too old. I just didn't want him to miss out on having a real father.

I shook my head, my thoughts snapping back to the present. I pulled Michael into a hug and kissed his cheek.

"Wow, Michael, you're so brave! You'll defeat all the monsters!" I said, smiling.

Then I turned to Kyler.

"Thanks, Kyler. And tell your mom thanks from me too, for always looking out for us," I said.

"We're neighbors, and I know things haven't been easy for you, Scarlett. There's something I've been meaning to tell you for a long time. We've known each other for quite a while now, and I really like you. Maybe... maybe we could be together?" Kyler stammered, his face turning bright red.

He was so embarrassed he couldn't even get the words out.

I knew exactly what he meant. Ever since I came here, the Townsend family had always looked after me, and honestly, they all seemed really nice.

Kyler had always been great with Michael, too.

It felt like marrying Kyler would be the kind of life I'd always wanted.

But the moment that thought popped into my head, I couldn't help feeling I wasn't worthy of someone like him.

If the Greer family ever tracked me down, it'd be bad news for him.

I bit my lip. "Kyler, if it weren't for you and your family, I don't think I could've ever gotten through the grief of losing my husband. He died in a car accident before we even got married, and it's been less than three years.

"All I care about now is raising my kid right. I'm not thinking about anything else. If you ever need anything from me, just ask. I'll always be there for you."

I tried to turn him down gently, without making things uncomfortable.

I rushed back to our place with Michael in my arms, feeling someone's gaze burning into my back. I'd thought about giving Michael a real family, but if anyone ever found out about my past, it would only drag them into trouble.

So, it would be better not.

Alissa must've come out at some point and seen everything.

She let out a sigh.

"Kyler, since Scarlett turned you down, it means she's just not into you. Maybe it's just not in the cards for you two," Alissa said softly.

"But Mom, I really do like her," Kyler said, his voice soft but determined.

"Fate's a funny thing. If I put myself out there, I never know what might happen," Kyler said gently.

I carried Michael back to the guesthouse, my nerves on edge, like something bad was about to happen. suddenly, my phone started ringing.

It was Victoria calling.

I'd slipped her my number once, in secret, but she'd never actually called me before.

"Scarlett, oh no. Rodney's come down to your town in the south!" Victoria burst out, her voice full of panic.

She sounded really anxious.

"The Greers have a resort project there. They were supposed to send someone else, but Niamh just had to visit that little town, so Rodney went along with her," Victoria explained quickly.

My hand shook so badly that I could barely hold the phone, fear written all over my face.

When I didn't respond, Victoria rushed to say, "He's only there for the project, Scarlett. Rodney's such a workaholic. He probably won't even notice you. In his mind, you've been gone for a year now. He's practically engaged to Niamh already, so maybe you'll be fine..."