His Forbidden Desire

he had just finished her shift as a fruit picker, a job she had taken o

of the day was heavy on her shoulders. The moment she stepped insi

son, Beth," she said to the elderl

ble at all, Jade. Your little one is simple to take care of, as you kno

was working. She was a kind-hearted woman, and, as a neighbor, she had volunteered to help without hesit

know how much this means to me," Jad

y. Rest now. Take a break before you dive into your studies. I know you're in your last seme

ling her work, school, and motherhood for so long that she hadn't really h

asleep after playing. "I'll leave you to rest, Jade. I've got some food from my daughter. You'r

h. But I'll be fine. I went out earlier an

some supper. It's nothing fancy, but it'l

er. "I'll let you go, then. But thank you aga

e door. Jade followed her outside, locking the do

ake over her body. She worked long hours, starting at six in the morn

on Mondays and Tuesdays and an internship from three to six from Wednesday t

raduation was just a month away. She had worked hard to get to this

was balancing the needs of her son and her daily responsibilities. She

four years," she thought to herself. "At lea

ad good neighbors-people who understood her situation and supported her. In fact, Crown had become a littl

nd sadness all at once. He was her greatest joy, yet his

too complicated and painful to face. She had made sure no one could trace he

ove," she whispered, looking down at Crown

thing that had happened, her son was her reason for wa

et. She kissed his forehead, feeling a surge of maternal affection. Her exhaustion was

e how much she had changed over the years. She had intentionally dyed her hai

ures. She was short, standing at five feet and two inches, but she carried herself with confidence. Her brown

fe. He was the one who had caused her heartbreak. "If anything, I'm proud of myself. I may have made mistakes, but

side. Sitting down next to him, she opened her books to begin studying. She couldn't afford to waste any

e, whispering softly, "Good night, Crown.

alm washing over her. Despite everything that had happened in her life, Jade was c

d herself a moment of quiet reflection, grateful for th

never would be, but it was