Chapter 3

"Sorry, Ms. Shaw. Tobey's just a kid. He blurts things out sometimes. Don't mind him," Belle said.

I ignored her, keeping my gaze locked on Bowen, insisting, "Why does he call you Dad?"

A flash of annoyance flickered across Bowen's face, and he was about to answer when Belle cut in.

"Here's the thing, Ms. Shaw. Tobey and I just returned to the country, and his school's pretty strict about these things. I had to ask Bowen to act as Tobey's father. It's all for Tobey's education. I hope you don't get the wrong idea," Belle explained.

"I heard you…