Chapter 2

Nathan's gaze swept over me from head to toe, his eyes brooding and cold.

"Josie, don't even think about pulling any more tricks. Be good. For Sammy's sake, I might just let you stick around as my mistress," he said.

I rolled my eyes at him inwardly.

To hell with being his mistress.

That night, Nathan ended up staying.

Just as dawn was breaking, I heard him moving around and went out to see what was going on.

I said, "It's still early. What do you want for breakfast?"

"I'm leaving soon. No need to trouble yourself," he said.

It took everything I had not to snap at him.

Now that I'd made up my mind to leave, everything about Nathan just rubbed me the wrong way.

I seriously didn't know what kind of spell I was under to ever fall for a guy like him.

I had to have been blind.

When I went quiet, Nathan did a complete 180 and suddenly said he'd stick around for breakfast.

What a crazy guy.

"I heard you're heading to Hoshoalor for a business trip. When are you coming back?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

Nathan shot me a cold look.

"What, is the Wolcott family interested in this project too?" he said.

Nathan had always been on guard around me.

But since he didn't deny it, that was basically a yes in my book. I couldn't help but perk up when I heard it.

He stayed silent, and when I glanced up, Nathan was staring right at me. His look made my skin crawl.

I quickly slid two fried eggs over to him, putting on my best smile.

"I was just wondering what if Sammy starts missing you?" I said.

"Don't use the kid as an excuse. Josie, have you no shame?" Nathan snapped.

After he finished yelling, he got up and left. I rolled my eyes and headed back to my room. It was still early, and I had a busy day ahead, so I figured I'd grab a quick nap while I could.

I didn't wake up until the sun was high in the sky. As soon as I got out of bed, my mind started racing.

The Foster family was insanely powerful. If I ran off with Sammy, Nathan would hunt me down no matter where I went.

So I had no choice but to take a gamble.

Now that I had a plan, I was glad I'd always kept my head down. There weren't many people in Seadow City keeping tabs on me.

Just as I was lost in thought, I suddenly felt a kiss on my cheek.

I looked down and saw Sammy. "Sammy, you're awake. No kindergarten for you today," I said.

Sammy nuzzled up to my face, looking absolutely adorable. "Mom, are you taking me out to play?" he asked.

Even though he was only three, Sammy was just like Nathan, quick-witted, always logical when he talked, and remembered everything.

"Mom, you said yesterday we were leaving. Are you taking me somewhere fun?" he asked.

I paused for a moment, then softly ruffled his hair. "Mom's taking you to a faraway place," I replied.

Sammy's eyes lit up as he asked, "Is Dad coming with us?"

"Dad's going away for work, so..." I hesitated, not sure how to finish the sentence.

I honestly didn't know how to tell Sammy that he might never get to see his dad again.

I wondered if Sammy would hate me for this when he was older.

Sammy went quiet, fiddling with his fingers and staring at the floor. "It's fine, Mom. As long as we don't go back to the manor, we don't have to come back at all," he said.

My heart ached with shock. I never thought he'd say something like that. "Sammy, why?" I asked softly.

"Because Dad doesn't like me, so I don't want to like him either. I just want to go somewhere with you where we can be happy," he said.

Hearing that, my eyes instantly welled up with tears.

I always thought he was too young to understand any of this. Turned out, he knew more than I thought.

I pulled Sammy into a tight hug, tears finally spilling down my cheeks.

"I'm so sorry, Sammy," I whispered.

Maybe leaving really was the right choice. All Sammy wanted was his dad's love, but Nathan simply hated us both. All we ever got from him was his cold shoulder and contempt.

Sammy's heart was already shattered.

I wished I'd realized that sooner and just taken Sammy and left.

Before leaving, I shared my plan with my best friend, Eliza Foster.

She was Nathan's little sister, but aside from my mom, no one ever treated me better than she did.

Eliza's face was a mix of shock and worry as she asked, "Josie, are you sure about this?"

"I've made up my mind. Ever since I was born, people have called me a bastard. I don't want Sammy to grow up with people pointing fingers at him, calling him the same. He's only three. Leaving is the best thing I can do for him right now," I said.

Eliza's gaze softened, full of genuine care and support.

"Alright then. True happiness is rare, so all I can do is wish you safety. Don't tell me where you're headed. The world's big. Maybe one day we'll have a chance to meet each other again," she said.

Eliza was right. Perhaps I'd see her again.

*****

The day Nathan left for his business trip to Hoshoalor, I took Sammy back to the manor.

As soon as we drove through the gates, my car started swerving wildly, like the brakes had just given out.

Before anyone could even react, the car shot straight into the garage.

Then, with a deafening crash, flames erupted.

The manor servants shouted in horror, "Miss Wolcott! Mr. Foster!"