Chapter 9 Ever since I hung up on Finn that night , things went quiet . I didn't hear from him again , not directly anyway . My father was the only one who occasionally called , and each time he did , it was the same damn thing . " Jillian , you need to stop acting like a child . Finn's been flying all over the globe handling business . " Yeah , right . Handling business . Probably with Madeline perched on his lap while signing off contracts . I didn't say that out loud , though . I just asked calmly , " And how's Madeline doing these days ? " Dad sighed like I was the unreasonable one . " You're being ridiculous . She's not his wife . Stop acting jealous over a woman with no legal status in this family . " That's when I knew . She was still living in my house . With my son . Like some damn stand - in mother . I didn't ask anything more . I just hung up and focused on what mattered : my flower shop , my peace , and little Cici , who had unknowingly become the highlight of my new life . One afternoon , we were arranging lavender bundles together , her tiny fingers fumbling with the twine , when my phone rang . Unknown number . " Hello ? " " Mrs. Gallagher ? " I froze for a second . That name hit differently now . " Who's this ? " " This is Ms. Turner , Henry's tutor . I'm sorry to bother you, but I thought I should let you know , Henry's skipped classes three times this week . I tried to reach his emergency contact , but no one answered . " I sighed . " Okay , look … I'm not Mrs. Gallagher anymore , " " Oh , I didn't know . I just assumed , well , sorry . But , maybe you should check in on Henry's mental health . He's been acting out " I pinched the bridge of my nose . " I'm not the one you should be calling . Contact his father . Or … whoever he listed as backup . " " I did . Henry listed Ms. Brooks . " Madeline . Of course , " But she clearly doesn't care . I mean , it didn't feel right " I clenched my jaw . So Henry still tried to lean on her . Poor kid . Still too young to see what kind of woman she was . " Ms. Turner , I'm sorry , but it's not my responsibility anymore . I can't help . " There was a long pause . Then she muttered , " Okay . I understand " And hung up . Cici was watching me with those big , concerned eyes . " Jillian ? Are you okay ? "