Chapter 1

Ethan Blackwood had never seen me.

For three years, he was off overseas expanding the family business, while I was stuck at the Blackwood residence in Riverside, taking care of his grandma, Bella Blackwood. He couldn't be bothered to call during the holidays.

The Blackwood family talked about me like I was some worn-out piece of furniture.

So when Ethan's assistant showed up at the end of the dirt driveway in a crisp suit, clutching a divorce agreement, I was out in the yard, feeding the chickens.

The assistant's polished shoes sank into the mud, and he looked like he'd smelled something foul. "Mrs. Blackwood, this is Mr. Blackwood's decision. The compensation terms are on the third page. Please take a look."

He set the folder down on the stone table and stepped back, as if I were contagious.

I wiped the mud off my hands and pulled out the agreement.

The compensation was 10 million dollars.

The conditions were simple. I had to move out of the Blackwood residence immediately, never show up anywhere using the Blackwood name, and never contact any of them again. It was all cold and quick, like firing the help.

I flipped to the last page. Ethan's signature was already there, the ink so heavy it had bled through to the other side.

"Got a pen?" I asked.

The assistant paused, probably not expecting me to agree so quickly. He pulled a pen from his breast pocket and handed it over.

I signed my name. My handwriting wasn't exactly pretty, but at least it was steady.

The assistant took the agreement, double-checked it, and let out a sigh of relief. "Mrs. Blackwood, Mr. Blackwood said the money will be transferred to your account within three days. As for the Blackwood residence, you have a week to—"

"I'll move out tomorrow," I said, handing the pen back. "Give Mr. Blackwood my thanks."

The assistant opened his mouth, probably about to say something polite.

I didn't give him the chance. I turned and walked back inside, closing the gate behind me.

The chickens were still clucking in the yard.

I leaned against the door for a moment, then pulled out my phone and found a number with no name saved.

I dialed. Someone picked up after two rings.

I said, "Set everything up. I'm heading back to Kingsford the day after tomorrow."

There was a brief silence, then a respectful voice came through. "Mr. Stone's birthday party invitation has been sent to you. Your piano solo is set for mid-dinner. As for the piece—"

I replied, "That one."

"Understood."

I hung up and tossed my phone onto the bed.

Outside, the drizzle of Riverside was falling. I'd lived here for three years, feeding chickens, tending the garden, and fishing every day.

The locals all called me "Eve," knowing I'd married into money but had never met my husband. They gossiped behind my back, saying I was a stand-in, and once I'd outlived my usefulness, I'd be tossed aside.

Well, the return was complete. Time to get back to work.

*****

Ethan showed up at the Blackwood residence the day after I moved out.

The lady who ran the shop near the entrance, Amy Wilde, told me about it. She blew up my phone with voice messages, so excited that one would think she'd seen aliens land.

Amy said, "Eve, your husband. Oh my god. Three black luxury sedans rolled up. He was dressed to the nines, and seriously, he's so handsome. He stood outside the old house for ages."

I was packing my bags. I glanced at the message and didn't bother replying.

Amy sent another message. "Was he there for you? Didn't you two get divorced? Maybe you should come back and see what's going on?"

I turned off my phone and loaded the last suitcase into the car.

Whatever Ethan was doing at the Blackwood residence had nothing to do with me anymore.

The divorce agreement was signed. The 10 million dollars had already hit my account. Legally, the only thing left between me and Ethan was a three-year marriage so absurd we'd never laid eyes on each other.

As I merged onto the highway, my phone rang.

The caller ID flashed: William Stone.

I picked up.

On the other end was an aged but vigorous voice. "Evelyn, are you really coming the day after tomorrow?"

I replied, "Of course. It's your seventieth birthday, Mr. Stone. How could I possibly miss it?"

William laughed. "If you play, my birthday party will be the event of the season. Half the piano community in Kingsford is asking when Reed will perform again. Last time was three years ago."

I went on, "I played for your birthday three years ago, and since then, I haven't performed publicly."

William added, "So this time, it's even bigger. As soon as the invites went out, over forty guests RSVP'd specifically to hear you play."

William paused. "The Blackwood family will be there, too. Alex and I go way back. His grandson returned from overseas, and the young man wants to witness Reed's performance firsthand."

I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel. "Which grandson are we talking about?"

"Ethan Blackwood," William laughed. "Young and accomplished, but difficult. Ignore him. Play your piece and head out."

"Alright." I hung up.

In the rearview mirror, the rolling hills of Riverside slowly faded into the distance.