Chapter 2Raising the Wolf

The next day, I was woken up by text messages from a client.

I had finished revising the designs last night and sent them straight over.

This was the first job I had taken since starting my own design studio.

I say "studio," but it was really just me and my best friend, Harper.

The client was notoriously difficult to please—the kind who asks for "a vibrant shade of black."

Thankfully, they were finally satisfied with last night's revisions.

Rubbing my stiff neck, I walked out of the office.

I caught a glimpse of a silent figure sitting at the dining table and nearly jumped out of my skin.

I was genuinely annoyed. "Why are you just sitting there without making a sound!"

He froze for a second, as if startled by my sudden morning crankiness.

Then, trying to act calm, he pushed a piece of paper across the table toward me.

"I apologize. I'll be more mindful in the future. I drafted this agreement. You can take a look."

Utterly confused, I walked over, sat across from him, picked it up, and almost laughed out loud.

Party A: [Left Blank]

Party B: Liam.

The gist of the agreement was that Party B would borrow funds for all living expenses while staying at Party A's house, as well as high school tuition. The total amount, plus interest, would be repaid in full one year after Party B graduated from college.

I peeked at him over the top of the paper, feeling a sudden urge to tease him.

"How are you so sure you can pay it all back one year after college? Raising a kid is expensive nowadays. Also, why does it only cover high school? Don't I have to pay for your college tuition and living expenses too?"

Liam's face turned red, and he stammered slightly, "I-I can add a clause to the agreement. If I don't pay it back on time, the interest doubles."

He then hastily tried to explain, "I will definitely pay you back, I promise. My grades are pretty good, I can apply for scholarships for college, and I can work part-time on weekends and holidays during high school to cover my college expenses. I can also..."

"Stop." The more I listened, the more ridiculous it sounded. It wasn't like I couldn't afford to raise him.

Thinking about him taking on part-time jobs... there are so many shady employers out there who love exploiting student workers, finding every excuse to dock their pay.

I had been through it. He didn't need to go through it too.

"Just focus on your studies. Don't even think about part-time jobs. I have money, I can afford to support you. There's no need to sign this agreement; just consider it my way of repaying your mother."

I put the agreement down on the table and got up to go wash my face.

"If you don't sign it, I won't stay here."

So annoying. Why is he being so dramatic? I really wanted to yell at him.

But when I saw the earnestness and stubbornness in his eyes, and looked at the boy's straight back in the morning light...

I suddenly realized that this wasn't just a promissory note; it was the last shred of pride for a "stray dog" with a heavy heart.

I sat back down, picked up a pen, and swiftly signed my name in the Party A slot: Summer.

Seeing the look of relief wash over his face, I found it somewhat amusing. "Go get cleaned up, we'll go out for breakfast, and then to Target to buy your things. If I remember correctly, school starts in two weeks, right? Whatever you need, make a list, and we'll buy it all at once."

I glanced at him. "I'm guessing your ungrateful relatives have already moved into your house. Before we go to Target, I'll drop you off there so you can grab anything you can't bear to leave behind. From now on, just call me Sum..."

I paused, feeling a bit awkward. Given our age difference and relationship, calling me "Auntie" made me sound too old, but calling me "Sister" felt weird too.

"Summer. I can cook, we don't need to go out to eat." With that, he got up and walked toward the refrigerator in the kitchen.

Fine, just using my first name works too.

But a second later, he turned to look at me, unable to hide his shock.