Four years of college had slipped by quietly, and Amber was no longer the headstrong youngdy she used to be. Her dark hair cascaded down, and the pale yellow hem of her dress fluttered in the breeze as she gazed at the school before her.

    Amber let out a sigh. Time really does fly.

    “Aunt Amber!” Suddenly, a little boy with a bowl–cut of dark hair came running over andtched onto bAmber’s /bleg.

    “Pumpkin, what brings you here?” Amber grinned as she scooped up Caleb, noticing he felt heavier than before. ‘He must’ve been sneaking extra bsnacks /btely.

    “Amber, I’ve told you so many times–when we’re outside, call me by my real name!” Caleb pouted, folding his little arms.

    He was three now and had just started kindergarten. The other kids had found out his nickname band /bwere all secretly giggling at him behind his back!

    He fumed in his heart. It’s all Dad’s fault!

    “That guy is the absolute worst!

    ‘Not only does he fight me for Mommy every single day, but he also gave me such an embarrassing nickname!”

    Amber pinched his soft, fair little cheeks and smiled indulgently. “Alright, alright, Caleb. Who brought you here?”

    “It was me.” Hudson stepped forward, dressed in a simple white shirt. He took off his sunsses, revealing his sunny and handsome face.

    The moment Amber saw him, her expression instantly turned cold.

    “We just had a fight yesterday. I really don’t want to see this guy right now, she thought to herself,

    She snorted coldly. “What are you doing here?”

    Caleb quickly said, “Amber, I asked Hudson to bring me to see you. I missed you.”

    He blinked his big, round eyes up bat /bAmber, looking at her expectantly.

    Amber couldn’t help but give him a big kiss on his soft little cheek. ‘He’s just too adorable! she thought

    “Aunt Amber! I’ve told you so many times, you can’t just kiss me! Caleb protested, covering his face shyly.

    He red at her, but with zero intimidation he was all bark and no bite, just pare cuteness,

    “Why not?” Amber asked, bgiving /bhis cheek another gentle pinch.

    “Because you’re a girl, and boys band /bgirls shouldn’t be so close, he replied bwith /ba serious little face.

    “Wow, you sure know a lot for someone bso /byoung Amber chuckled.

    “Of course! I’m the most popr kid in my whole kindergarten, Caleb said, tilting his chin up proudly,

    “Let’s get in the car, Hudson said, opening the door. Amber’s car was parked not far away. She shifted the little boy in her arms and replied coldly, “No need. We’ll go bback /bbourselves/b.”

    With bthat/b, she started walking toward her car. Hudson gave Caleb a quick wink.

    Caleb instantly understood.

    He threw his arms around Amber’s neck and pleaded, “Aunt Amber, it was Hudson who brought me here. Can we all go back together, please? Aunt Amber? Mom says safetyes first, and you just got your license. I don’t want to ride with you.”

    Amber took a deep breath and smiled. Tm actually a great driver

    Caleb pouted and exposed bher/b. “bThat’s /bnot true! bYou /bhit a treest time”

    11:26 AM &

    Amber was left speechless.

    Hudson walked over and picked up Caleb. Amber, let’s all go back together. It’s gettingte, and Caleb needs to take his nap soon.

    In the end, Amber got into the car,

    Hudson kept ncing over at Amber, and she finally snapped, “Just focus on driving!”

    Caleb, sitting in the back bseat/b, jumped at the sound of her voice. “Aunt Amber, were you scolding him?”

    Amber quickly turned around, suddenly remembering there bwas /bba /bkid in the car.

    “No, Caleb. bI /bjust raised my voice a little, bthat’s /bball/b. We weren’t arguing, she exined.

    Caleb shrugged. “Okay”

    When they got back to the Hart family house, Caleb dashed inside and vanished in the blink of an eye.

    Amber was just about to head in when Hudson grabbed her wrist, pulled her into his arms, and trapped her in a corner.

    His lips hovered dangerously close, clearly aiming for a kiss.

    Amber shoved him away hard, a deep bfrown /bof displeasure on her face. “Let go of meb, /b

    Hudson!‘

    “Amber, I know I was wrongb. /bI shouldn’t have pressured you binto /bgetting engaged. I’m sorry. bCan /byou forgive me?” Hudson pleaded, looking at her with a pitiful, pleading gaze.

    However, Amber pushed his face baway/b. “Hudson, I don’t want to talk to you right now. I need some space to think. Let go of me–I want to go home.”

    Panic shed in Hudson’s eyes. “No!”

    Amber clenched her fists and looked up at him. “Hudson, what exactly do you want?”

    Seeing her indifferent expression. Hudson felt like his heart was being squeezed tightly by a giant hand, making it hard to breathe.

    Hudson lowered his head, burying his face in Amber’s neck as he spoke bin /ba low, trembling voice. Amber, I’m scared. I’m really scared you’ll leave me

    He knew the age gap between them was like a gulf he could never cross. She was so young and beautiful, and he was terrified she might fail for someone else.

    Amber froze, her hand hovering in the air, about to push him away. She was starting to realize just how possessive band /bcontrolling Hudson really

    He kept her from doing so many things, always wanting to follow her wherever she went It felt like she bhad /bbno /bfreedom bat /ball.

    bThat /bwasn’t what bshe /bwanted at all.

    With that thought, Amber pushed bhim /baway firmly. “Hudson, 111 say it again–if byou /bcan’t change, then there’s no way for us to be together.

    “I won’t be your appendage. I’m about to go abroad to pursue my professorship in mathematics. There are so many things I want to aplish in my life.

    “My time should be spent devoting myself to the pursuit of knowledge and making a difference in the world–not just revolving around

    you

    With that, Amber turned and walked into the house without looking bback/b.

    Hudson stood there in a daze for a long time before finally leaving,

    Meanwhile, inside the house, Julian wrapped his arms around Sienna’s waist and yfully nibbled on her ear, making her let out a surprised little gasp.

    “Hey, what are y

    you doing?” she blurted out.