** Paige’s POV **

“I know what you’ve been doing, Greg,” I say, when I come downstairs the next morning to find him eating a bowl of cereal at the dining table.

The words have barely left my mouth before his face twists into a bitter scowl. He looks up at me, spoon halfway to his mouth.

“Oh, and what is it you think I’ve been doing?” he says, his tone mocking.

I dropped the phone on the table in front of him. The screen lights up with even more texts. Her name. Her face. The texts.

Leanne: Good morning, handsome.

Leanne: I miss your touch.

Leanne: Tonight, after she’s asleep?

Leanne: You make me feel alive again.

Alive!

I was here slowly dying while he was in someone else’s arms, making them feel alive.

“Do you love her?” My voice cracks a little. I hate that. Hate how small and weak I sound.

Greg stares at the phone like it’s a weapon, and maybe it is because I’m finally done playing the soft-hearted fool who cleaned up the mess and smiled through neglect.

“She doesn’t mean anything,” he sighs. “It’s complicated.”

“No,” I step back, wrapping my arms around myself, so I’m not tempted to hurl the bowl at his head. "It’s actually very simple. You lied. You had sex with her while I was here with Jaxon, while I was working hard to pay for this house, while I was trying to believe we could still save our marriage.

A heavy silence fills the room.

“I needed something for me, Paige,” he says. “You’ve been…God, you’ve been gone since the moment I met you. You never let me in because you were always holding on to ghosts, always waiting for your precious Ryder to return.”

I open my mouth to speak, then shut it again. Is he right? Is this my fault?

“You’re right,” I breathe. “Maybe I’ve been holding on to the girl I used to be. To the pieces I’ve tried to glue together. To the hope that you might learn to love me the way I am. I’m never going to be the person you are trying to mold me into, and neither is my son.”

“Mummy,” Jaxon’s voice calls faintly from upstairs, and I turn to leave.

“Where are you going?” Greg asks, his chair scraping the floor as he stands.

“Somewhere we can breathe. Somewhere far from you and this lie. I want a divorce.”

Then I walk upstairs and pack two duffel bags for me and Jax. Greg doesn’t bother to say a word to stop us or even attempt to apologise before I walk out of the door and leave the life I thought I built here.

Jax is quiet as we pull away from the house, and I glance at him in the rearview mirror. His eyes look worried as he clutches his grey wolf teddy to his chest. He senses something is wrong and I hate that he will have to suffer for Greg’s actions too.

“How about we stop at the cafe for pancakes for breakfast?” I ask.

“Is Greg coming?”

“No, baby. It’s just us now. We are going on an adventure,” I say, trying my best to sound cheerful.

“Where are we going?”

“To live near Auntie Poppy,” I smile, but Jaxon’s eyes well up with tears.

“It’s going to be okay, buddy, I promise,” I say, trying to reassure him.

“But what about my friends, and Granny and Grandad?” He asks in a quiet tone.

“You are going to make lots of new friends, and Granny and Grandad will be with us in spirit; they’re always watching over you.”

Whilst Jaxon eats his pancakes, I make some phone calls. The landlord of the house Poppy had sent me is very sympathetic to our situation and, after running a few checks on me, he agrees to let us move in today.

Poppy had been right. The house was sweet. I had only seen the pictures online from the link she had sent me, but I trusted Poppy when she said it was exactly how the pictures had shown.

It was smaller than our current house, but it was perfect for me and Jax. I couldn’t find much information about the town, but the local school looks wonderful, and after a telephone conversation with the headteacher, I think Jaxon will thrive there. I make an appointment to visit the school tomorrow afternoon.

After breakfast, we call into the florist shop next door, and I let Jax pick out all his favourite flowers whilst I pick out some lavender and blue roses and add them to the bouquet to leave on my parent’s grave.

My mind flashes back to Ryder. He would often present me with a single rose, and then explain what each colour represented. I notice a few black roses as I’m paying, and I pick up a single one to add to my purchase.

“Do you want this added to the bouquet?” the florist asks.

“No, thank you. Keep that one separate.”

We arrive at the cemetery, and Jax puts the flowers on my parent’s headstone. Jaxon was only a day old when they died, but I have always made sure he knew about them. They had died in a horrific car accident whilst I was still in the hospital after giving birth.

I had thought losing Ryder was the worst thing that could happen to me until that day. My parents were the best. They supported me throughout my pregnancy and, whilst I grieved for Ryder. My heart still aches for them and for my son. They would have adored Jaxon and I hate he never got to have a relationship with them. I could really use my mum’s support right now. I know she would offer me some wise words about moving onto better things.

After some time at the cemetery, we get back in the car, ready to leave this town and start our new life. I just have one more stop to make.

I park outside the detached bungalow, Ryder’s old house, and am overwhelmed by memories. I haven’t been here for years, not since I met Greg. Visiting this place felt like betraying him. Sadly, his devotion paled compared to mine.

The once beautifully manicured garden is now overgrown, and the paint is flaking from the small iron gate. The house still looks untouched.

“Who lives here, mummy?” Jax asks.

“This is where your daddy lived before he went missing,” I explain.

Although he’s not old enough to fully understand, I have never hidden the truth from Jaxon. I didn’t want him to grow up thinking his father hadn’t wanted him.

“Do you think he might still be hiding in there? We could try to find him. Maybe he is under the bed. I go under my bed when I’m scared,” Jax says, and I smile at his naivety.

“No, bud, he’s not in there,” I sigh and unbuckle my seatbelt.

“Can I come?” Jaxon asks, as I climb out of the car.

“Sure,” I say, opening his door and helping him out of his seat before taking the single black rose from the passenger seat.

The iron gate screeches as I struggle to push it open with its rusted hinges. Another sign that no one has been here for years. I expected the house to be on the market by now. It just adds more to the mystery that the house remains empty.

I walk hand in hand with Jax up to the front door. Butterflies flutter in my stomach just as they did the first time I walked up this path to knock on this door for our first date.

Ryder’s parents had been out, and he had invited me over to watch a movie. I clearly remember the way my breath had caught in my throat when he had opened the door and his piercing blue eyes had captivated me.

At first, we had sat awkwardly at opposite ends of the couch sharing a bag of popcorn and as the movie played, our hands had slowly inched closer together until our pinky fingers had touched. That tiny contact had sent my heart racing, and I had known in that moment that Ryder would be someone special to me.

I have never had anyone make me feel the way Ryder could. Each touch felt like a soothing balm. His kisses felt like electric charging my soul and his hugs were an impenetrable shield. I felt so safe in his arms.

Jaxon pulls his hand from mine, snapping me out of the memory that had been replaying in my mind. He steps up onto the doorstep and reaches out, placing a hand flat on the door and closing his eyes.

“He’s not in here,” he sighs and steps back to take my hand again.

I lean down and place the rose on the doorstep.

“What does the black one mean?” Jax asks.

“It represents power, strength and hope. It can also mean sympathy or the end of a relationship,” I explain, glad that I can share a bit of his father’s beliefs with him.

I take one last look at the house and then turn and leave. I am closing the chapter on this part of my life. It’s time to stop living in the past and leave all the ghosts behind. Now we can start living for the future. I can only hope it will be kinder than the past.

As we pass over the town limits, I look back in my rearview mirror. We were happy here for a while, but now betrayal and sadness taint the place. It’s time to make fresh memories in a new place.

** Paige’s POV **

The four-hour drive takes us a little longer because of my inability to follow simple instructions from my sat nav. When we finally cross the border of our new town, I feel a sudden wash of calm.

As I slow down, the rustic wooden “Welcome to Cinderwood” sign makes me smile.

“This is it,” I say to Jax, who immediately turns his gaze to the window to take in our new home.

“Where is Auntie Pops?” he asks.

“I think she is at our new house waiting for us.”

At a slow pace, I drive through the picturesque town. Taking time to admire the old-style houses and clean streets. I point out a park and the small school to Jaxon, and he talks excitedly about finding new friends.

As we arrive at the small town house I’ve rented, I see Poppy and her friend Annie waiting on the front porch for us. I had arranged for her to collect the keys from the landlord.

“Auntie Pops!” Jaxon yells with enthusiasm as I open my car door.

“Hey, little J, I’ve missed you,” Poppy says, coming over to help him from the car and then pulling him into a hug.

“Stop. You’re squishing my jelly out,” Jaxon giggles as he attempts to wriggle from her arms.

“Come on, I can’t wait for you to see your new bedroom,” she says, giving me a one-armed hug before leading him inside.

I watch as they go inside and lean against my car to soak it all in. I breathe deeply. Dense woods behind our new home fill the air with the crisp, clean scent of pine. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and I have a good feeling about this place. I’ve never been here before, but it feels like I’m coming home.

“Mummy, come see!” Jax calls from the doorway, waving at me to come inside.

I wave back at him and move to the back of the car, grabbing our bags before lugging them into the house. The place is clean and already has a homely feel to it. The walls are all painted with a fresh magnolia. They’re like a blank canvas for us to decorate as we please. We have a six-month probationary period imposed by the landlord before we can decorate, giving us plenty of time for planning.

I follow Jaxon upstairs, where he excitedly shows me his new bedroom. His is at the front of the house and is slightly smaller than my room that’s directly opposite his. Both rooms have a double-sized bed, and Jax climbs straight on top of his.

“Do you like your new room?” I ask as he bounces excitedly on his bed.

“I love it. It’s so much bigger than my old one and this bed is giant.”

“Should we put your clothes away whilst mummy and auntie Pops bring the rest of the stuff in?” Annie asks, and Jaxon nods.

“Thanks.” I give Annie a grateful smile and take the second bag into my room.

I dump the bag next to the wardrobe and stop to look out of my bedroom window. The view is beautiful. There’s a small garden and then trees for as far as the eye can see. I chose this room because I love the view and the window seat. It will be perfect for reading.

“It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?” Poppy says, coming to sit beside me on the window seat.

“I love it. Thanks for this. I think this is the best idea you’ve ever had,” I say, nudging my shoulder against hers playfully.

“You’re going to be okay, Paige. You were far too good for grumpy Greg anyway, and J is going to thrive here. I just know it. Plus, the men around here are so hot. I swear there must be something in the water. Everyone I have seen in this town has been so buff. They must have a great gym,” she laughs.

“I’m done with men.” I shake my head.

“What, so you’re into women now? I saw some good-looking women too,” she waggles her eyebrows teasingly.

“No men or women, I’m done dating. It only ends in heartbreak. From now on, it’s just me and Jaxon,” I tell her with determination.

“You’ve barely given anyone a chance. You’ve had two boyfriends in your whole life. Mum always said we have to kiss a few frogs before finding our prince. You can’t give up yet,” she squeezes my hand.

“Ryder wasn’t a frog.”

“No, he was a damn ghost. Forget him, and Greg. Your prince will come when the time is right. Now stop moping, we have unpacking to do,” she says with a clap of her hands.

I sigh and get up to follow her, when movement out the window catches my eye. I lean in closer to the window, trying to figure out what I just saw moving between the trees. Whatever it was, it was large and fast. Maybe they have deer here, or perhaps it was someone’s big dog? I shrug it off and head downstairs to bring the rest of our belongings in.

By dinner time, we have finished unpacking, and been grocery shopping, stocking the fridge and cupboards with everything we will need for the next few days.

Poppy and Annie stay with us for dinner before heading back to their student accommodation at the university. I offer to drive them back, but Jaxon has already fallen asleep, so they have a friend come pick them up.

The university is only a twenty-minute drive away, and I’m so happy to be close to my sister again. I hated not being able to see her regularly because of the distance.

Following a busy day of moving and heartbreak, I decide to make some camomile tea and go upstairs to read in the window seat for a while before bed. I need to unwind and rest before another busy day tomorrow.

I’m not sure if I’m handling this breakup particularly well, or if it just hasn’t fully hit me yet, because whilst I’m sad, I’m not the weeping mess I expected to be. Maybe it’s this town? Or perhaps I didn’t love Greg as much as I thought I did.

At some point, I must doze off, because a sudden noise startles me awake and my e-reader clatters to the floor. The sound was almost like a wail, or a howl of pain. After quickly checking on Jaxon, who is sleeping peacefully, I shrug off the noise as some woodland creature and pick up my e-reader.

The hairs on the back of my neck rise suddenly, and I have the uneasy feeling of being watched. My eyes move to the window, but it’s difficult to see anything as it’s so dark outside. I close the curtains quickly, dismissing the feeling as nervousness about being in a new place.

I quickly check all the doors and windows, making sure they are locked before crawling into bed. Thanks to the book I’d been reading before bed, I spent the rest of the night dreaming of wolves chasing each other playfully through the forest.

** Paige’s POV **

The soft, golden light of morning spills across my bedroom, and I turn toward the window, watching the sun rise with quiet contentment and a sense of new beginnings.

I feel like a new woman today. No more worrying about Greg or his moods. No more scrambling to cook his breakfast before he rushes off to work.

A sour note creeps into my thoughts, as I wonder if he even misses me. He probably didn’t waste a second inviting Leanne over. She likely slept in my bed, and is making his breakfast right now.

With an irritated sigh, I toss back the covers and swing my legs out of bed. I won’t waste another minute thinking about Greg, not today. This is the first day of the rest of my life, and I won’t let him or Leanne cast a shadow over it.

“Hi, Mummy,” Jax says as he pads into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes and still wearing his Lego pyjamas.

“Morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?” I ask as I dish scrambled eggs onto our plates to go with the buttered toast.

“Yes. My bed is so soft. It’s like a big fluffy cloud,” he replies with a sleepy smile.

“Good. Come, eat your breakfast. Afterward, we can go explore the town before our meeting at the school.”

He climbs up onto the stool at the breakfast bar, and I set his plate down before pouring us both a glass of orange juice.

Once we finish eating, I help Jaxon get dressed, and then we head out to the park. Since it’s a school day, the place is empty, just the two of us enjoying the quiet, which is a pleasant change.

I push Jax on the swing, then watch him zoom down the slide again and again. When he runs over to the monkey bars, I follow, standing beneath him in case he slips. They’re higher than I’d like, but his face is set with determination. There’s no way I’m talking him out of attempting it.

Jaxon grabs the first bar with his small hand.

“That’s it. Now swing and reach for the next one,” I say, encouraging him.

I stay close, ready to catch him.

“Good job. Keep going,” I cheer as he dangles from the metal rungs.

He swings his body and reaches for the next bar, catching it with a grunt. But as he tries to lunge for the third, he loses momentum. His fingers barely graze it before he falls right into my waiting arms.

“That was a good try, baby. You just rushed it a little,” I say, setting him gently down.

Jaxon frowns, already stomping back to the ladder for another go. This time, he doesn’t even make it to the second bar before slipping.

“I hate this stupid thing!” he yells, his voice echoing through the empty park.

“Jax, calm down. It’s okay, you’ll get it eventually,” I say, trying to soothe him.

“No!” he cries, collapsing onto the rubber floor, his fists pounding and legs kicking in frustration.

“Shh, sweetheart, it’s okay. I know it’s frustrating, but getting angry won’t help.”

I kneel beside him, pulling him into my arms. He rarely throws tantrums like this, but after everything he’s been through the last few days, I can’t say I’m surprised. I had been expecting some kind of outburst from him.

“Calm it, pup,” a deep voice rumbles from behind us, and instantly, Jaxon stills in my arms. He draws in a shaky breath, his little chest rising and falling as he calms.

I turn, and my gaze locks with a pair of stunning blue eyes that have haunted my dreams for years.

Ryder.

His eyes widen when he sees me, then flicker to Jaxon. I can’t speak. I’m frozen, torn between the urge to run into his arms or demand an explanation.

“Sorry,” he says quickly, shaking his head like he’s trying to clear it. “You must be new in town. I’m Callen.”

“Callen?” I repeat, frowning.

I must’ve misheard. This is Ryder. He’s changed, yes, broader, and more defined, but those eyes? I’d recognise them anywhere. They’re the same eyes my son has.

“Yeah, Callen Harris,” he says, extending a hand. “And you are?”

I glance at his outstretched hand, looking for the small birthmark Ryder always had, but it’s gone. How can this be? How can someone look so much like Ryder… but not be him?

“I’m Paige, and this is my son, Jaxon,” I reply.

I reach for his hand, but Jaxon beats me to it, grabbing Callen’s hand and hopping to his feet before wrapping his arms around him in a spontaneous hug.

Callen laughs softly, ruffling Jax’s hair like they’ve known each other forever. I get to my feet and then stand there, stunned. Jax never warms up to strangers this quickly, especially men.

Does he sense something? Some kind of connection? Because there is no way Callen and Ryder aren’t related.

Ryder never knew his birth parents. Could Callen be a twin he never knew about? But what are the odds I’d run into both of them? And how would I even bring that up? For all I know, Callen was adopted too and has no idea. I’ll need to tread carefully and try to find out more before I mention anything.

I gently pull Jaxon back from the stranger, making a mental note to talk to him about stranger danger later.

“Where are you two from?” Callen asks.

“We just moved up from the south,” I tell him. “What about you? Have you lived here long?”

“About four years. Do you have family here?”

“Not in town. My sister’s at the university in the next town over. We moved to be closer to her.”

“Sweet. Does your husband know anyone here?” he asks, nodding toward the wedding ring I’d forgotten I was still wearing.

My stomach twists. I’d forgotten I was wearing the ring. I slip it off and tuck it into my back pocket.

“Oh, no. It’s just me and Jax now.”

“Sorry to hear that. If you need help to settle in, let me know. The school’s fantastic, and there are some great places to eat. I’d be happy to give you a tour,” he offers, flashing a smile that makes my heart stutter. He’s so much like Ryder.

“Thanks, but we actually have an appointment at the school soon,” I say.

“I’m headed there too. Let me walk you,” he replies.

“Thanks. Do you have kids there?” I ask as we stroll.

“No, I run the sports sessions for some of the… high-energy kids.”

“Will you teach me sports?” Jaxon pipes up.

“You bet. What kind do you like?”

“I don’t know. My teachers said I’m too strong to play with the others.”

“Well, that won’t be a problem here. We’ve got lots of strong kids. Did your dad teach you any?”

“No. I haven’t met my dad yet. But I think he’ll come back for me when he can,” Jaxon says with heartbreaking hope.

“I’m sure he will,” Callen says gently, then gives me an apologetic look.

I can tell he has questions, but thankfully he doesn’t ask.

At the school, Callen shows us to reception and goes to find the headteacher. A short time later, a slim woman with short blond hair and warm brown eyes greets us.

To my surprise, Jaxon wraps his arms around her in a hug.

What is going on with him? Is he just feeling lost and insecure without Greg? Or is there something deeper happening here?