Years passed.
Noah grew into a bright, inquisitive boy. He had Jason’s dark hair, those unmistakable green eyes, and a smile that made strangers pause.
Every time Emily looked into those eyes, her heart cracked a little. She never spoke of Jason. On every school form, she left “father” blank. She told Noah he’d passed away long ago.
By the time Noah entered high school, Emily had saved enough to buy a small house on the outskirts of Santa Rosa. She opened a corner shop—Emily’s Market—selling snacks, groceries, and homemade preserves. It was modest, but it was theirs.
For the first time, life felt steady.
