The neighbors gathered around Ezra, knowing only that she worked at the Meyers family company in River City. Few of them were aware of her actual ties to the Meyers family itself.
This was intentional, Mrs. Meyers had made it clear that she didn't want the family to be publicly associated with Ezra's situation, fearing it would bring shame upon the family.
As a result, they distanced themselves.
"Hey, Ezra, that young man who visits you often, always driving a nice car—isn't this his?" one of the women jeered, her voice tinged with mockery.
Everyone in the neighborhood knew that Ezra was engaged, and that her fiancé, Bruce, was rumored to be mentally disabled. Meanwhile, Kellan frequently showed up, making Ezra the subject of gossip.
"No, it's not his," Ezra replied curtly, already
