As his mother, I always have to check his emotional weather forecast before daring to show a little concern. Say one wrong thing, and he''ll storm out and disappear for three years.


    Kimberly let out a deep sigh and pulled arge rectangr box from the bag she''d brought with her.


    "It''s been years since west saw each other. Osborn told me you''d been studying abroad and only just got back this month. He said he wasing to Starfall City to see you, so I didn''t try to keep him home. Please, don''t tell him I came looking for him.


    Starfall City''s weather isn''t much different from Evermore, but he loves to y it cool and never dresses warm enough. I worry he''ll catch a chill, so I knitted him a scarf-made it myself. Could you give it to him for me? Just don''t mention it''s from


    me."


    Kimberly took out a vivid sapphire-blue scarf, its fine wool soft and warm to the touch.


    Victoria could feel the depth of Kimberly''s affection for her son. Suddenly, she thought of her own mother, who used to handcraft little toys for her, filling her childhood with warmth and happiness.


    "Don''t worry, Mrs. rk. I''ll take care of it."


    She carefully tucked the scarf away as Kimberly nodded, pulling out a delicate jewelry box from her purse.


    "Osborn said you like jade. Last month, his father and I were at an auction and saw this jade pendant. We bought it for you-hope you don''t mind."


    Victoria looked as Kimberly opened the box. Inside was a striking imperial green jade pendant carved into the figure of the Madonna. Had she not been nursing her injured foot, Victoria might have jumped up in shock.


    "Mrs. rk, this is far too generous. I can''t ept it."


    This pendant must be worth at least sixteen million. She and Osborn were just friends-Kimberly had knitted her son a scarf, but was giving Victoria a priceless jade. How could she possibly ept?


    "You have to. Osborn''s stubborn with everyone but you. If you weren''t so indifferent to him, I''d have arranged your wedding long ago. Are you sure you only see him as a friend? Is there really no chance for something more?"


    Kimberly''s question left Victoria''s cheeks burning. Now she realized Osborn hadn''t told his parents about her marriage at all.


    "I heard you just got back from your studies overseas. No one can control that boy -not even me, and I''m his mother.


    Victoria, money doesn''t mean much in our family. Osborn''s father''s business brings in enough each year to buy twenty pendants like this. Don''t let it weigh on your conscience. If you can''t marry Osborn, then at least promise me you''ll be my goddaughter. When a mother gives a gift to her own child, it''s only natural to ept it."


    Kimberly was genuinely fond of Victoria, and since Victoria didn''t seem to have a boyfriend, perhaps a gentle nudge from her could change things.


    Victoria was at a loss for words. Kimberly''s sincerity made it impossible to refuse without seeming cold.


    "Thank you, Kimberly. I''ll ept it, then."


    Kimberly beamed, and after finishing her tea, stood up to leave.


    "Won''t you stay a few more days?" Victoria thought Kimberly might want to see Osborn.


    "No need. I''m entrusting him to you for now. Whenever you manage to straighten out that rebellious streak of his, I''ll take my son back."


    Though Kimberly meant it as a joke, her expression was earnest.


    Victoria felt a heavy weight settle in her chest. In the end, she asked Haley to see Kimberly out.


    Not long after Kimberly left, Osborn called. Victoria stared at the scarf in her hands, wondering how she was going to give it to him.


    "Vicky, why haven''t youe to visit me at the hospital these past few days? I''m getting discharged tomorrow will youe pick me up?"


    Every word trembled with a childish whine that made Victoria''s skin crawl. Osborn was shamelessly pouting.


    "I''ve just been swamped at work. I really can''t make it right now-"


    Osborn sat on his hospital bed, his expression chilly.


    Just then, his phone buzzed-a notification of two hundred million transferred into his ount.


    "Yeah, you''re busy these days. Rolling in money, aren''t you? How about you keep me as your sugar baby-?"


    ""


    Victoria sighed. "I really am busy. But I knitted you a scarf myself. I''ll have my assistant bring it to youter-make sure you wear it, okay?"