Chapter 3

Our families have known each other for generations, practically lived next door.

So Julian and I grew up together, always. But we were the wild, chaotic kind of kids.

I'd climb a tree, and he'd kick the trunk; he'd go swimming, and I'd hide his towel. Basically, we were rivals from day one.

As adults, we each inherited our family businesses, and we'd constantly try to outmaneuver each other in the corporate world, just to prove who was stronger.

But fate, or our parents, decided we were destined to be together. They arranged our marriage.

Since we didn't exactly *hate* each other, we went through with it.

Lily was born a year after we married.

Three years into our marriage, I died.

After my death, the burden of both the Chloe and Julian family corporations fell squarely on Julian's shoulders.

He also had both sets of parents to care for and a child to raise.

He did incredibly well.

He didn't take advantage of the situation to absorb my family's company, and he treated my parents and Lily with immense kindness.

So, he'd mourned me for three years. By any measure, that was more than enough.

My parents couldn't bear to see him alone for the rest of his life, and I'd even mentioned it in one of his dreams. So, they recently started setting him up with other women.

Sigh.

People always have to move forward.

Ghosts too.

Julian smiled, his voice gentle.

"Mom, this can't be rushed. I'm driving Lily home right now, so let's chat later."

My mom sighed.

"You, kid. Alright, alright. Just remember to come over for dinner next week with Lily, okay?"

Julian agreed, then fell silent.

Both sets of parents chatted for a few more minutes until the car pulled into the neighborhood before hanging up.

Julian scooped Lily from the back seat, holding her against him.

On the way, he gently patted her, his voice softer than a summer breeze.

"My little one, we're home. How about a nice bath before bed?"

I floated behind him, watching Lily slowly open her eyes.

She’d always had a sweet temperament, never waking up grumpy.

Perhaps because her parents were both like gunpowder, they ended up with a child who was a living fire extinguisher.

"Daddy, Mommy's here."

Lily rubbed her eyes, trying to keep them open, but they soon drooped half-shut again.

Julian didn't stop.

"Yes, Mommy's always here."