Chapter 4

Samantha said softly, "Mrs. Carter, please don't misunderstand, I'm stepping in to help. Once your baby's born, I swear I'll give it right back to you."

Mother Carter nodded. "Right now, your only job is to give the Carter family a child. Stop worrying about being in the spotlight."

I stared at the document, my fingertips turning cold.

"Edward, I built Sprout & Bloom with the seed money my mom left me," I said.

He met my eyes. "That's exactly why I didn't let anyone else outside the family take over."

Samantha immediately lowered her head. "Mr. Carter, please don't say that. Mrs. Carter will misunderstand me even more."

Edward frowned. "Grace, Samantha's not out to get you."

I let out a bitter laugh.

I've lost count of how many times I've heard that.

Samantha's always 'innocent.'

So, her walking around in his shirt? Supposedly, that's innocent too.

And those flirty posts she put up online? Apparently, that's 'harmless' as well.

Calling him over in the middle of the night? Oh, that's 'innocent' too, right?

And now, taking over what my mom left me? I guess that's 'innocent' too.

I asked, "What if I refuse to sign?"

Mother Carter slammed her coffee cup down. "Grace, don't be ungrateful. Now that you're part of the Carter family, your priorities should be with us."

Edward pressed his hand down on the edge of the document, his voice quieter.

"Don't upset Mom. You're too emotional right now. I'm looking out for you," Edward said.

"For my own good?" I asked.

"Yeah," he said.

He looked at me like I was a naive child. "Sign it, and I'll take you to your check-up this afternoon."

I froze.

He knew exactly how to manipulate me.

He knew I was still hoping he'd come with me to the hospital.

Even if it was only once.

Samantha lowered her eyes, gently touching the bracelet on her wrist.

Edward had given it to her.

I'd seen the receipt. It was more than thirty thousand dollars.

Meanwhile, the cut on my hand from the porcelain shard was still covered by a bandage I'd put on myself.

I picked up the pen.

Edward visibly relaxed, relief flashing across his face.

Just as I was about to sign, I asked him, "Do you remember why it's called Sprout & Bloom?"

He paused.

He couldn't answer.

Samantha chimed in, "Because babies are like little spring sprouts, aren't they adorable?"

I looked at Edward.

He didn't correct her.

Suddenly, I remembered what my mom told me before she passed away. She held my hand and said, "Grace, no matter how cold life gets, always save a small sprout of hope for yourself."

Sprout & Bloom was never about the baby.

It was always for me.

I set the pen down.

"I'm not signing it," I said.

The conference room fell silent.

Mother Carter's face darkened. "Grace, you're really pushing it lately."

Edward's gaze hardened. "Is this how you want to play it?"

I stood up. "I don't need you to come with me to the check-up this afternoon."

As I reached the door, Samantha suddenly spoke up.

"Mrs. Carter, I brought that shirt with me. I meant to return it to you," she said.

She pulled the old shirt out of her bag.

The stitch I'd sewn on the cuff was still there.

But now there was a coffee stain on it.

Samantha looked apologetic. "I'm really sorry, I accidentally got a stain on it last night. Mr. Carter said it's okay if old things can't be made new again."

I stopped in my tracks.

Edward said quietly, "She's already apologized."

I stared at the shirt.

In that moment, I didn't even want it back anymore.

I wanted to know if he remembered at all.