erent when Lina retu

f fatigue beneath her eyes or the way her posture carried quiet authority now. T

rgy she didn't ha

ched the traffic with serious concentration. Noah hopped from crack to crack in the sidewalk, tugging her arm

heir hands gent

beyed-

ut it was hers. The windows faced east, filling the living space with morning light. There was just

attered mor

nd job applications. Lina filled out forms late into the night, careful

ication

ale G

A powerful corporation. Excellent pay. Entry-level administrative

reen for a long time

believe i

elieved i

came faster th

d tying her hair back neatly. She dropped the children off at p

ere," she reminded

a statement rather than a building. Glass. Steel. Control

e told herself. You'v

verything

ewers waited. The questions were sharp but fair. They aske

ot ask abo

idently. Years of survival

r, she didn't l

later, her

r you the position

hard on the ed

barely breathing.

h her hand and cried silently, the kind of

ad do

idn't notice

ttle that didn't d

ack, decisions made with ruthless efficiency. He arrived before sunrise and often lef

ver been part o

he bel

ved on a Thur

rogram - Au

He hadn't requ

my desk?" he ask

eview," she s

ering across his expression. Everything appeare

and pushed

discrepancy buri

t

y at Westvale w

clear. She learned quickly, taking notes, memorizing

ervisor

" she said. "Quiet

d learned long ago that bein

on her desk. No stories shared over lunch. She arrived on

things bega

on a do

a

a company

of the man who owned the

nsettled her, though

w Adrian Hale in perso

a phone call from the preschool, when she

t her arms, steady

u're going," a

looke

le. His presence filled the space effor

," Lina sa

for a brief,

r tightening in his chest. There was nothing

d

he asked, sur

Lina

and stepped int

oors

for a second lon

eart

dn't k

one in his office, the city

ingered with him,

toward him, flipping through p

ht on somethi

na

a M

s brow

the surrog

ned th

ano

w tigh

planted

cessful h

went ve

ached for

y file," he said coldly.

at the man she'd brushed past that morning was now starin

had found

wasn't