Chapter 5: Forgiveness and Fresh Starts

I ran into Jessie again about half a year later. Carter’s company hit a rough patch. I kept it to myself, planning to tighten our belts for a while. I took a cab to a cheaper market further from home to buy groceries. As I was leaving, I bumped into Jessie coming out of a nearby office building. She called out to me first.

We sat in a café. She looked different—no more skintight dresses, just simple jeans and a loose blouse, her hair pulled up in a ponytail. She handed me a plain envelope with cash. “Mrs. Whitaker, thank you. I’ve completely cut ties with my family.”

I smiled, taking the envelope. She was genuinely grateful, and seeing her like this, I felt a surprising warmth. “Honestly, I was just out of my mind back then. I never really liked Mr. Whitaker.”

She looked a little sheepish. “I’m working at an early education center now. If you ever need help, just ask.” She handed me a business card—she was now a TikTok-famous teacher at the center. She showed me her account, full of parenting tips. With her looks and sweet talk, she’d gained over a million followers—way more than she ever had pretending to be me.

“Back then I only made three grand, and the fans in the group convinced me to give it all away. Then my account was gone.” I sipped my coffee, laughing awkwardly.

I didn’t tell her I’d planted those fans.

Her phone rang—she answered, smiling softly. “Boyfriend?” I asked.

“Yeah, works in the same building,” she said. I nodded, checked the time, and got up to leave. “Mrs. Whitaker, Mr. Whitaker is a good man,” she said as we parted. She waved, walking into the building, where her boyfriend was waiting for her. They met at the door, holding hands, both grinning like kids.

By the time I got home, the sun was setting. Carter, for once, had no business dinner and had cooked a table full of food, waiting for me. I looked at the spread—even though I hadn’t had much appetite lately, the sight made my heart swell, and I ran over to hug him. I snuggled in his arms, letting the warmth and the sound of his heartbeat melt away all the day’s exhaustion.

“What’s up? Missed your husband after just one day?” Carter teased, scooping me up and setting me at the table, then feeding me bites of food with that goofy grin.

“I ran into Jessie today. She’s doing well now and even thanked me,” I said, sipping soup and filling him in on my day. Carter nodded, but I caught a weird look in his eyes, like something was off. I nudged him gently. “What’s wrong, honey? Is the project not going well?”

“Babe,” he said, eyes serious and a little vulnerable. “What if I told you the company’s not doing so well?”

I paused, then grinned. “If the company’s in trouble, I guess you’ll have to be my stay-at-home husband!”

“Oh, so that’s your plan!” Carter swept me up again, making me squeal. After a moment, he handed me a piece of paper. It was a project bid acceptance!

“You got the investment?!” I nearly jumped out of my chair.

“Ah, so you were tricking me!” I gave him a playful smack. “I’m grabbing the wine—we’re celebrating!” Carter dashed off, practically skipping.

Watching his retreating back, I couldn’t stop smiling.