"Little one? Why are you all alone out here? Where are your parents?"
Emma Johnson crouched down, her voice gentle as she addressed the little boy.
"My mommy and daddy left me. Boo-hoo... they don't want me anymore."
The boy sobbed loudly. Emma noticed the faint tire marks circling the spot where he sat. She straightened up, lifted the child into her arms, and softly wiped the tears from his cheeks.
"Why would they leave you? Tell Auntie, what's your name? Can Auntie help find your parents?"
The boy whispered his name to her. Liam Williams, standing nearby, had already called Captain Reed, though he felt it was probably unnecessary.
"Their parents must have forgotten him by accident. They'll come looking for him soon enough," Liam said to Emma.
"Alright, then we'll wait right here."
Liam gave a helpless look at Emma's reddened nose. He hadn't meant for them to stand around in the cold. He'd only wanted to suggest leaving the child with the restaurant owner—when his parents returned, they'd naturally check there.
But watching Emma hold the boy with such tender eyes, like a loving mother, he couldn't bring himself to say it. The soft light in her gaze was completely different from her usual sharpness. Yet it held a charm all its own.
For reasons he couldn't explain, Liam said nothing more. He simply stood there quietly beside Emma, waiting.
The scene felt strangely like a family of three, and an unfamiliar sense of contentment settled deep in his chest.
Soon, a car came speeding back. The careless parents retrieved their son, showering Emma and Liam with gratitude. Emma waved them off, then climbed back into the car with Liam. They drove home.
"That little boy was adorable. Even though he's a boy, he's as delicate as a doll," Emma said, still lingering on the child. She couldn't help sharing her thoughts with Liam.
"Is he? I don't see it."
Liam's tone was light, dismissive.
"How can you say that? You're so mean, even to a child."
Emma shot him a look, thinking he was being unnecessarily picky.
"I only praise my own children."
When Liam's words hung in the air, Emma didn't know how to respond. Her eyes widened as she stared at him. The man turned his face toward her, his usually cold features seeming unexpectedly gentle and deep.
"I think if it were you and me, our child would be very beautiful. Don't you think so?"
Liam's voice was deep and magnetic, carrying a hint of anticipation. Emma's heart raced. She turned her head away, staring out the window at the falling snowflakes, as if mesmerized by the white scenery.
In truth, she was escaping. Her lower lip unconsciously pressed between her teeth. Liam's words echoed in her mind.
Children?
Impossible. He must be talking to himself again.
Late that night, after a lingering exhaustion, Emma blinked her tired eyes. She heard Liam's breathing even out into sleep. Struggling, she slipped out of bed. She didn't notice that, after she opened the door, the man's eyes suddenly snapped open, gleaming clearly in the darkness.
She found her bag in the living room and pulled out two white pills. A flicker of hesitation crossed her eyes, but she quickly brought them to her mouth and swallowed.
She had to admit—what Liam said in the car tonight had moved her. But she wouldn't gamble with her life. Because they were going to get divorced.
When Noah Taylor came home, he saw the invitation Isabella Miller had left on the coffee table. He initially thought it was just something Isabella planned to attend, not involving him.
"Noah, you're back. This is Miss Williams's invitation for both of us. She wants us to come to her new coffee shop in a week," Isabella said, emerging with a gentle voice.
"Miss Williams?"
"Yes, I'm a bit surprised. Why would she even send you an invitation?"
Isabella looked at Noah with a strange expression.
"I ran into Emma a few days ago. She was at Miss Williams's coffee shop. We just had a brief chat."
Noah didn't try to hide it. That only made Isabella angrier. If he'd been vague, maybe she could have forgiven him—it would have shown he still felt guilty. But he admitted it outright. Isabella stared at him, displeasure flashing in her eyes.
"I'm going to take a shower. I know. I'll go to the coffee shop with you in a week."
Noah said this as he walked toward the bathroom. But Isabella knew his real motive. He was using her as an excuse to see Emma again.
Fuming, she sat down on the sofa and spotted Noah's bag on the coffee table. In a fit of temper, she threw the bag to the floor. A jewelry box tumbled out. She thought about how Noah had recently been doing work for someone and had been paid well. Had he used the money to buy something for her?
At that thought, Isabella felt a sweetness in her heart. She opened the box and saw a sparkling diamond necklace. Her anger quickly faded.
When Noah came out, he saw Isabella wearing the necklace he'd just bought.
"Noah, you're so good to me. You haven't bought me jewelry in a long time. For this one, I'll forgive you."
Isabella smiled beautifully. Noah's face immediately darkened.
"Take it off."
"What?"
"This necklace isn't for you."
Noah's voice was displeased.
"Then who is it for? Which woman did you buy it for?"
Isabella's reaction was sharp. Her expression changed instantly. Noah realized his outburst had given her a clue. He forced himself to calm down and coaxed her.
"I bought it for a client's wife. I'm giving it to him tomorrow. Honey, if you like diamond necklaces, I'll get you one in a few days."
Isabella looked at him with a cold smile, snorted, then yanked the necklace off and threw it to the floor.
"You think I care about that?"
She couldn't control her temper any longer. Without another glance at Noah, she turned and stormed back to the bedroom, slamming the door shut.
Noah didn't bother with Isabella. He just crouched down and carefully picked up the diamond necklace.