Chapter 4

It was Graham Ross, Lillian's son, who picked Sammy up from school.

He worked as a civil servant in this town, but he wasn't rigid at all. In fact, he was pretty funny. If I'd met someone like him before Nathan, I would've thought I was the luckiest girl in the world.

But I didn't deserve that kind of happiness. With Sammy to take care of, all I wanted was to live a quiet life on my own for the rest of my days.

"Josie, were you busy today? Sammy's been waiting for you for a long time," Graham said.

I gently pulled Sammy off my legs, took his hand, and gave Graham a grateful smile. "Yeah, I feel bad for always having to ask you to pick him up."

Graham blushed, though I wasn't sure why. "It's no trouble. I pass by anyway."

We always take this road home.

"I still feel bad about it," I said.

As the sun set, the three of us walked toward home. Sammy skipped along, holding my hand and glancing at Graham, his face beaming with happiness.

"Mommy!" Sammy called out.

"Yes, sweetheart?" I replied gently.

"Graham bought me candy and a toy. I'm gonna defeat monsters with it," Sammy said excitedly.

It was rare to see Sammy just being a kid, his face lit up with pure, innocent joy.

Back then, the Foster family would take him to their manor during the day. Their rules were so strict that they made Sammy, who was barely three, recite ancient texts and poetry, and even start learning piano and foreign languages.

Even as an adult, I found it suffocating, so how could a little kid handle it?

I snuck a look at Graham. He seemed to give Sammy all the warmth and care Nathan never could.

Maybe, while Sammy was still little, I should think about finding him a dad he actually liked, someone who could give him the love he had been missing.

I shook my head, pulling myself back to reality. I quickly scooped Sammy up and planted a kiss on his cheek.

"Wow, Sammy, you're awesome! No one else can defeat monsters," I said.

Then I turned to Graham. "Thanks, Graham. And tell Lillian I really appreciate her for always taking care of us," I said.

"We're neighbors, and I know things haven't been easy for you, Josie. There's something I've wanted to tell you for a long time. We've known each other for quite a while, and I really like you. Do you think maybe..." Graham's voice trailed off.

He was so nervous he couldn't even finish.

I understood what he meant. Ever since I came here, the Ross family had always taken care of me, and they were all genuinely kind.

Graham really cared about Sammy.

It felt like marrying Graham would finally give me the peaceful, happy life I've always wanted.

But as soon as that thought popped into my head, I felt like I could never measure up to him.

If the Foster family ever tracked me down, it'd be bad for him.

I bit my lip. "Graham, if it weren't for you and Lillian, I don't think I could've made it through losing my husband. He died in a car accident before we even got married, and it's not even been three years yet.

"Right now, all I want is to raise Sammy right. I'm not thinking about anything else. If you ever need anything, just ask. I owe you guys so much."

I meant every word, and tried not to make things weird between us.

I hurried back to the B&B with Sammy in my arms, sensing someone watching me from behind. I'd thought about giving Sammy a real family, but if anyone ever found out who I really was, it would only put them in danger because of me.

So, maybe it was better to just forget it.

Lillian from next door had come out and seen everything.

She let out a sigh.

"Graham, if Josie turned you down, it means she's just not into you. Maybe you two aren't meant to be," Lillian said.

"But Mom, I really like her," Graham said.

One could never tell with love. Perhaps all he needed was to try harder and he would have her.

Meanwhile, I hugged Sammy close, hurrying back to the B&B. My nerves were on edge, like something bad was about to happen. Then, out of nowhere, my phone started ringing.

It was Eliza. I couldn't believe it.

I'd slipped her my number ages ago, but she'd never once called.

"Bad news, Josie! Nathan's come down to your town," Eliza blurted out, her voice tight with panic.

"The Fosters have a resort project there. They were supposed to send someone else, but Melanie insisted on visiting, so Nathan went with her," she explained.