Samuel smiled gently and obediently replied, "Of course, I'll behave perfectly." He'd be as well-behaved as possible if it meant he could stay. Brimming with affection, he looked at Eliana tenderly.

Eliana didn't spare him a glance and instead went to her room. No wonder Hope had been so quiet, she was asleep. Eliana sat by the bed watching her daughter breathing and quietly contemplating her relationship with Samuel.

Alexander finished cooking and set out a bowl of ...