Chapter 99

"You weren't surprised at all when I asked you to come back to me and start over. You saw this coming, didn't you?" Samuel said, his voice raw and broken. He yelled in anguish, "Shirley, this is revenge, isn't it?" Shirley's heart trembled at his words, but she tightened her hold on the little boy in her arms, refusing to turn around and look at him. "You're wrong, Samuel," she said softly. "I never wanted revenge. How can I avenge myself against someone I never truly understood? I'm just tired. I'm tired of waiting for you." Everyone told her he would come back to her someday. But she had never dared to hope. Before Samuel, Shirley, the most celebrated socialite in Elderstone, had always felt small. This wasn't how she'd wanted things to turn out. She didn't understand. Samuel had done everything in his power to bring Sophia back to him. Now that he had her, why couldn't he be content? Why would he cling on to the past? She and Samuel were long past the point of return. Final