The morning sun streamed through the small kitchen window, casting a soft light on Carina as she prepared breakfast. She glanced out at the horizon, lost in thought. Ever since Benjamin had been lost to the sea, the quiet worry for her son had only deepened. And now, with the extra money Rowan had been bringing in, her mind was caught between relief and suspicion. Where was he getting all this?

Rowan sat across from her, casually buttering his toast, though he sensed the weight of her stare. She had asked about the money more than once already, her tone filled with that cautious curiosity that mothers have when they fear the worst.

“Rowan, I need you to tell me the truth,” she finally said, breaking the silence.

Rowan looked up, smiling a little. “Mum, I told you. I’m not doing anything illegal. I’m not stealing, I’m not selling anything shady.” He kept his voice light, almost playful, but Carina’s gaze didn’t soften.

“It’s just…” she hesitated, pushing her dark hair behind her ear, “where exactly are you finding all these antiques? This is Ashmere. There aren’t many ‘secret spots’ left around here.”

Rowan took a deep breath, realizing he needed to tread carefully. He’d known his mother would get suspicious at some point, especially after he’d started bringing home more money than she’d seen in months. But he wasn’t ready to tell her the full story.

“Look, Mum, I just found a place—somewhere no one else goes. I started using my metal detector out there, and I hit the jackpot, I guess. I’m finding old trinkets, things people left behind or forgot about. That’s all.”

Carina sighed, pressing her lips together as she absorbed his words. “Row… It’s just you and me, you know that. I can’t lose you, too. Ever since… well, since your father, I’m always afraid that something might happen to you.” Her voice softened, and she looked down at her hands, worn from years of hard work.

Rowan reached over, putting a reassuring hand over hers. “Mum, I promise. I’m not doing anything dangerous or illegal. Just selling some things I find here and there. I know you worry, but… I’ve got this. I’m just trying to help us.”

She managed a weak smile. “You’re growing up too fast, you know that? You shouldn’t have to worry about this sort of thing.”

But Rowan didn’t see it that way. Since his father’s disappearance, he felt a responsibility not only to support his mother but also to prove himself. His eyes flickered with resolve. He’d taken to selling the items in small batches, careful not to draw too much attention or arouse suspicion. For him, this was an opportunity he couldn’t afford to let slip.

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“Just don’t get too ambitious, Rowan,” she said, sighing. “It’s strange to say, but it’s like you’re becoming someone I don’t quite know. This clever, cunning boy with a knack for finding secrets.”

Rowan laughed a bit, though he knew there was some truth in her words. The exploration, the thrill of finding forgotten treasures, even the sense of keeping a secret – it was all changing him, pushing him to see things differently.

As the conversation faded, Carina reached over and touched his cheek. “Just promise me you’ll keep me in the loop, okay? No surprises.”

Rowan nodded, holding her gaze. “I promise, Mum. I won’t hide anything important from you.”

With that assurance, Carina’s shoulders finally seemed to relax a bit. Though she knew Rowan was growing up quickly, with more independence than she’d anticipated, she also knew he was doing it all with her in mind. And as Rowan walked out of the kitchen, feeling the weight of his secret yet somehow proud of his ability to protect it, he felt a renewed sense of purpose.

Carina took a deep breath, steadying herself as she pushed open the door to George Winkler's antique shop. The small bell above the door jingled, and George looked up from behind the counter, a warm smile spreading across his face.

“Carina! What brings you in today?” George asked, adjusting his glasses. He was a kind man, in his sixties, with a white beard and an ever-curious eye for rare finds. He had known the family for years, and his welcoming demeanor eased some of Carina’s nerves.

“Hello, George,” she replied, managing a polite smile. “I just… I wanted to ask you something about Rowan.”

George’s eyebrows lifted slightly, and he gestured to a comfortable chair. “Go ahead, take a seat. Rowan’s a good kid, you know that.”

Carina nodded, though her unease hadn’t left. “Well, that’s just it, George. He’s been bringing in money recently, and he says he’s finding things to sell. I just wanted to make sure that he wasn’t… getting into trouble.”

George chuckled softly, putting her at ease. “Oh, Carina, Rowan’s been quite the entrepreneur lately. He’s been selling me all sorts of treasures. Not things you’d find lying around easily, mind you. Mostly antique odds and ends—old maps, miniature ships, a couple of vintage tools.”

Carina sighed with relief but had to be sure. “And you’re certain none of it’s stolen? It’s just… I can’t imagine where he’d find things like that around Ashmere.”

George leaned forward, crossing his hands thoughtfully. “Look, Carina, Ashmere’s a small town. If anything as valuable as these items were missing, someone would have said something by now. These pieces are rare, but they’re authentic, probably collected over time and abandoned. He’s found quite a spot to pick through, that’s for sure.”

Carina let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. Relief washed over her, and a genuine smile spread across her face. “Thank you, George. You don’t know how much that means.”

George smiled back, his eyes twinkling. “He’s a clever lad, that one. If anything, I’d say he’s got a nose for treasures. But, Carina, you should be proud of him. He’s clearly doing all this to help you.”

As she left the shop, Carina felt a weight lift from her shoulders. Knowing Rowan was selling items legitimately allowed her to breathe a little easier. She finally had enough money to start paying down some of the debts that had piled up since Benjamin’s disappearance, and it was all thanks to her son.