chapter 2

When Lucas was little, I used to beg George to come home with me.

He always said the same thing—if he showed up in the slums, the reporters would have a field day, and the company's stock would crash.

So in the end, I had no choice but to sneak back to the old neighborhood a few times with our son.

Back then, the place was still full of life with so many kids running around. Lucas loved it as he would have a blast playing with them.

However, my mother-in-law found out and she was not having it.

She scolded me, saying that as the Finnegans' daughter-in-law, I needed to learn how to act like a proper lady. Running back to my parents' place all the time was not okay.

Letting Lucas play in the mud like some street kid was even worse, as she said it made the family look bad.

After that, Lucas did not want to go back anymore, and honestly, neither could I.

"Hello, are you here to see my dad? We live on the second floor."

A little girl's sweet voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

I crouched down so I could look her in the eye. "Who's your dad? And how come you guys haven't moved out yet?"

She giggled and said, "Daddy's name is James Lidell. He said he's waiting here for a woman. I saw the photo and it looks like you!"

Just as she finished, someone came rushing over.

"Annie, you're running off again ... "

He froze mid-sentence when he saw me. His eyes widened in shock before lighting up with happiness. "Jess? You're back!"

I looked at my childhood friend and smiled.

"Guess you knew I'd come back one day, huh? You could be living in a mansion, but you're still sticking it out here in this dump."

We grew up together and were basically childhood sweethearts.

However, after his whole family moved overseas, we kind of lost touch.

He scratched his head and looked a little shy, his face turning pink. "I guess I'm just sentimental."

Annie tugged on my hand and held something up. "Ma'am, this candy's for you. It's really yummy."

James laughed and said, "That's her favorite candy. She never gives it to anyone—not even me. She must really like you."

I picked Annie up and smiled. "Come on, I am treating you to something good today."

That meal turned out to be the happiest one I'd had in over ten years.

The three of us sat around the table, laughing, joking, and taking photos like there was not a care in the world.

I did not have to pretend anymore—no need to act a certain way, please anyone, or watch every word I said.

That night, for the first time in forever, I actually slept well. No sleeping pills, no tossing and turning—just peace.

However, the next morning, my phone rang and woke me up.

"Jess, where's my favorite tie and those cufflinks?"

George was always like this. The moment he needed something, I had to drop everything to help, like it was my job.

I held back my irritation and answered flatly, "Third drawer on the left of the walk-in closet."

I could hear him rustling around on the other end, and then he asked, "How does Lucas take his probiotics? He skipped them yesterday, and now his stomach hurts."

Lucas had a sensitive stomach ever since he was born premature.

He had been taking probiotics since day one, and once he got older, I switched to making him soups that were easier on his digestion.

He had not had a stomachache in ages.

And now, after just two days without me, he was sick again.

I sighed. "The instructions are on the box. If you still can't figure it out, ask Jasmine to help."

Then I hung up, hoping to get a little more rest.

However, before I could even close my eyes, the phone rang again.

Annoyed, I snapped, "Can you stop calling me? Seriously, just leave me alone."

I had never raised my voice at George before—not once in over ten years.

He did not expect it either, and I could hear the anger in his voice.

"You're his mother! If you won't take care of him, fine, but you don't get to act like this. Who do you think you are?"

I let out a bitter laugh. "The second he called Jasmine 'Mom,' I stopped being his mother. Don't you think that's a little funny?"

That shut him up for a second. Then the mask dropped. "What do you even have that Jasmine doesn't?"

I rolled my eyes. "Nothing. I'm nothing. So quit calling me."

This time, I did not give him a chance to respond. I hung up and blocked his number.