“Nadine, you will not have to work so hard anymore,” he said gently. “I bought a place in the city. This time, I came back to bring you there so you can finally enjoy life. But there is something I want to discuss. We are just a little short on paying off the mortgage. And with school district housing, there is a rule. If you have no outstanding loans under your name, you can register two children at the same time.”
My throat tightened, and heat rose behind my eyes.
Instinctively, I tightened my grip around the peace pendant in my hand. It was the small dowry I had saved for myself after years of scrimping and scraping.
And this man wanted to use that money to pay off his mortgage.
“Chris, we only have one child,” I said slowly. “We do not need two school slots.”
The moment the words left my mouth, the bedroom door swung open.
Gemma was the first to appear, her limp as familiar as ever. Behind her, Melissa and a little boy followed, who looked almost exactly like me when I was young.
Without meeting my eyes, Gemma went straight to Matty’s bedside.