Chapter 1

Today was the anniversary of our son's death. I sat in front of his gravestone for half an hour.

My husband, Andrew, said nothing. He stood behind me, lighting cigarette after cigarette.

On the way down the hill, he finally spoke. "Honey, I need to tell you something."

His throat bobbed before he continued, "Sharon gave birth to my son. He's two years old."

Sharon was his so-called god-sister.

Hearing that, I didn't get angry. I didn't cry. I didn't even feel surprised, as if I'd long known this day would come.

Seeing that I stayed silent, Andrew stepped forward and grabbed my hand, his voice tightening in urgency. "Jackson has been gone for three years. You won't let me touch you. I know you're still in pain, but I can't be without a child.

"I'll put that child under your name. From now on, he'll be our son. And I won't let Sharon take away a single bit of your status."

I curled my cracked lips into a faint smile and nodded without a word.

Andrew thought I had agreed, and kept going on about the child's name and the paperwork for registering him.

I listened quietly, occasionally giving a soft response.

Then I looked up at the sky. The sun was unusually bright today, so bright it was almost blinding.

Suddenly, I missed Jackson. Maybe it was time for me to go find him.

*****

When we got home, Andrew took a call. After hanging up, he turned to me and said, "Tomorrow, we're going to the family estate.

"My parents want to see you. And... I thought you should spend some time with the child, get to know him a little."

I nodded, not saying a word.

Early the next morning, as our car pulled into the Sinclair family estate, I saw through the window that the living room was already packed with people.

Andrew's parents sat at the head of the room, while Sharon sat on the right couch, cradling a chubby, fair-skinned boy in her arms.

Andrew got out of the car, came around to my side, opened the door, and reached out to help me out.

He said softly, "Honey, whatever they say later, you don't have to pay them any mind. As long as I'm here, nothing will happen to you."

I looked at him, searching his face for any sign of doubt.

His gaze was so genuine. It reminded me of the way he looked at me on our wedding day, when he promised, "I'll always take care of you."

The moment I walked in, every eye in the room turned to me.

Andrew's mother, Arianna, was the first to speak. "Oh, you actually showed up? I thought you'd bail again.

"It's been three years. Do you even remember how many times you've come back to this house?"

I stayed silent. Andrew's father, Herman, cleared his throat, still staring at his cup. "That's enough. Let it go."

Arianna set her cup down with a clatter, her voice rising. "Did I say anything wrong? We're all sad about Jackson, but life has to go on, right?

"She won't let anyone mention him, won't celebrate his birthday, won't even let us visit his grave. We have to sneak around just to see our grandson."

"Mom." Andrew cut her off. "We asked Rosalind here today to meet the kid, so let's not talk about this."

Arianna snorted, her eyes barely glanced at me before turning soft as soon as she looked at the kid in Sharon's arms.

"Come here, Jack. Come to Grandma," she said, reaching out.

Jack? That had to be Andrew's idea. My son was Jackson, and now this one's Jack.

Sharon stood up, carrying the child over to Arianna. As she bent down to hand the boy to Arianna, she gave me a quick glance.

Arianna cradled the child, her wrinkles softening with a smile. "Good boy, Jack. Say 'Grandma.'"

The little guy babbled out "Grandma," and Arianna's eyes instantly filled with tears.

She turned to Herman, her voice full of pride. "Listen to that, honey. Isn't he clever?"

Herman set his cup down, a rare smile appearing on his face as he reached out to gently touch the boy's cheek.

The whole family was all smiles and laughter, while I stood next to the coffee table, feeling like I was a prop in the background.

Andrew must've noticed. He came over, put his arm around my shoulders, and said to Arianna, "Mom, Rosalind's still standing here."

Arianna finally looked up at me. "Come sit down, why are you just standing there? You're family, not a stranger."

Not a stranger, but definitely not one of them either.

I took a seat at the far end of the couch, leaving an empty space between me and the rest.

Sharon Harper settled back into her seat, giving me a faint smile across the coffee table. "Long time no see, Rosalind."

I nodded, staying silent.

Noticing I was ignoring her, Sharon turned to Arianna and said softly, "Mrs. Sinclair, Jack's getting a bit fussy. How about I take him upstairs for a nap?"