Chapter 2

Whenever she crossed the line, she'd defend her actions with the same tired excuse:

"Isn't this all to help ease your burden?" she'd claim, sounding self-assured.

"I'm not in your shoes, Arabella. You had a caring spouse who sacrificed himself for you and a child who's so well-mannered and wise."

Her tone would become gentler, laced with insincere sympathy. "In contrast, I have no one who cares for me, and I'm childless."

"You're my closest companion, and now, when you're most in need, how could I turn my back on you? I've made up my mind—I won't wed or have kids. I'll commit myself to assisting you in raising Rowan."

She always presented this as if it were a grand gesture, but I saw through it.

Just as she and Rowan were caught in one of their excessively tender hugs, someone rang the doorbell.

I answered to find Aunt Vivienne from next door, accompanied by a smartly dressed man in his fifties. Before I could speak, Aunt Vivienne guided him inside.

"Arabella," she began cheerfully. "Meet my distant relative, Quentin Blackthorn. He owns a vehicle, a residence, and has savings, yet he's still unmarried."

Without pausing for my reaction, she went on, "You've faced such hardships—raising a child solo and working to clear debts. I thought, why not introduce you to someone who might help lighten your load?"

Quentin stepped forward, placing a neatly wrapped present on the table. His gaze rested on me, filled with a mix of awe and attraction. After a moment, he spoke, his voice gentle and sincere.

"My aunt has told me about your circumstances," he said. "But seeing you in person… you're even lovelier than I imagined."

He then looked at Rowan, who was seated at the dining table, observing quietly. Quentin smiled warmly. "Don't worry," he said, his tone steady and genuine. "If we hit it off, everything I possess will be yours. Your boy will become my son, and I'll ensure he never faces any hardships. I will care for you well."

These words were delivered confidently, but they had an immediate impact. My best friend's face clouded over.

She instinctively drew Rowan closer, embracing him protectively. Her expression, which moments ago had been full of warmth, now radiated hostility.

But she remained silent at first. Instead, she gazed at me intently, her eyes urging me to respond.

I turned to Aunt Vivienne and Quentin, offering a polite but firm reply.

"I appreciate your kind intentions, but my focus right now is on settling my husband's debts and raising my son," I said.

"I'm not considering other matters at this time."

Aunt Vivienne frowned, patting the back of my hand in a motherly fashion.

"Arabella, why are you being so unyielding?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.

"Your husband's business was his pre-marital asset. He's gone now, along with his debts. You don't need to clean up after him."

She leaned in closer, her tone softening as if reasoning with a young child.

"The most crucial thing for a woman is to find a good partner. You're still young, but time won't stand still. It becomes more challenging as you age."

I smiled gently, but my refusal was unwavering.

"Aunt Vivienne, I know you have good intentions, and I'm thankful," I said.

"But Axel died saving me. I can't allow his reputation to be tarnished because I abandoned his debts."

Aunt Vivienne sighed deeply, her expression a mix of frustration and sympathy.

"Arabella, you've already done more than enough," she said. "You work tirelessly every day, managing multiple jobs. Look at how thin you've become."

Her voice quivered slightly as she continued, "As your neighbor, it pains me to see you living such a difficult life. That's why I introduced you to Quentin. You shouldn't sacrifice your future for a sense of obligation or guilt."

Despite her heartfelt plea, I shook my head with a serene smile.

"Aunt Vivienne, I truly value your concern," I said. "But I believe this is the right course for me."

Realizing I wouldn't change my mind, Aunt Vivienne sighed again, this time with disappointment. She departed with Quentin, their footsteps fading into the quiet evening.

As soon as the door shut behind them, my best friend clicked her tongue and folded her arms.

"Hmph, what sort of person is that?" she said, her voice dripping with contempt. "Our Rowan is so exceptional—someone like that isn't worthy of being his father."

She turned to me, her expression softening into one of feigned sincerity.

"Arabella, Axel cared for you so deeply when he was alive, and he even gave his life for you," she said, her tone earnest.

"You must handle those debts and look after Rowan, or you'd be disrespecting his sacrifice."

Pausing for effect, she added with a hint of urgency, "Besides, what if you remarried and that man ended up mistreating our Rowan? He's the child you carried for ten months and brought into this world!"