Chapter 9
Knox began showing up day after day with various gifts, trying to apologize to my son and me.
When I wouldn’t open the door, he’d leave the items on the doorstep and leave. But without a second thought, I distributed everything to neighbors.
He also bought new books and toys for Jayden, but my son pushed them away each time:
“Uncle, why don’t you go take care of Aunt Vanessa’s daughter instead? I really love the backpack Mom mended for me.”
With that, he lovingly touched his patched–up backpack and skipped off to school.
Watching Jayden walk away, Knox couldn’t help remembering those three years I spent mourning him. Everyone had told Jayden that his father was dead, yet my son persistently called Knox “Dad” whenever they met, his eyes brimming with admiration that couldn’t be concealed.
Yet Knox, afraid of exposing his deception, had tirelessly corrected Jayden every time.
He still remembered how Jayden’s eyes had instantly welled up with tears, his expression confused and hurt, eventually turning to disappointment.
My son had endured being mocked by classmates for having “no father.” Meanwhile, Knox had
reated Vanessa’s daughter like his own flesh and blood.
So it was only right that Jayden wouldn’t forgive him now.
Until Jayden’s figure vanished into the distance, he remained standing at the door, lost and dejected for a long time. From dawn till dusk, he finally saw me returning.
His face brightened with hope as he started forward, but when he noticed Ryker beside me, he shrank back, not daring to approach.
Seeing the toys in his hand, I sighed and walked toward him.
Knox clearly hadn’t expected me to soften my stance. He became so flustered that thousands of words condensed into one simple question:
“Have you been doing well?”
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Three Years a ‘Widow‘… Until I Found His Secret!
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Chapter 9
I nodded, indicating I was doing just fine.
He realized immediately what a foolish question he’d asked. How could I not be doing well? I’d transformed from the gaunt figure who had mourned him to someone with a healthy, rosy complexion. Away from him, my life had improved dramatically.
It was quite obvious that he couldn’t compare to my new partner in any way–all Knox had brought me was endless suffering.
Feeling guilt–ridden, he lowered his head and extended a thick envelope:
“This is the compensation money from the factory after my ‘death.‘ Please take it and use it however you wish.”
He thought at least this was one small, insignificant way he could make amends.
But I didn’t accept it. Instead, I pointedly told him:
‘My son and I are very happy now, and we don’t want anyone disrupting that happiness.”
believed he should understand my meaning.
With that, I turned away without a backward glance and entered the house with Ryker.
Knox remained standing there, like a rigid statue. After what felt like an eternity, he lowered his
head and walked away.
After making my position clear that day, Knox stopped bothering my son and me.
enjoyed a period of peaceful, happy days.
However, an explosive piece of news suddenly shattered this tranquility
