not getting

me fast, firm, and

ot seen th

e where she stood, so stunned th

eact, his face a mix of

t say? After everything

bother ans

document that had somehow slipp

hands, and spoke in a tone so calm it sounded less like

" he said evenly. "I need that time to let the public attention die down. A

now back in her hands, and in that i

g to let her go. It was a

uld still be a layer of plausible deniability

would solidify into something far u

the divorce followed, it would be easy enough, in time, for t

Cold. Calcula

a quiet clarity. There was nothing left for her to

long as she could take her daughter and build

. "Thirty days.

g on her heel, she walked out, and

profile, her gaze heavy with somethi

t friend, Diana, at a restauran

breath of relief, only to slam her hand on the tab

oice but failing to contain her fury. "But he actually wants to drag

gnation, though the smile carried a trac

aced a hand gently over

about Ariel. And thank God you didn't g

indedly and gave a small smile

t signed them away, he'd be beyond disappointed. I have a

t's

st before Rose's phone buzzed.

er ID re

he call. The moment the sc

de him was a small figure, bouncing on

rang out, bright an

stantly, though she

are you still a

warm. "She insisted on

sight of the screen, and l

uch!" she said, wa

her. "Aunt Diana! I really have b

confirming a serious matter. "Good. Th

mediately launched into an enthusi

smile before his gaze shifted back to R

everything

htly, and for a moment, s

fully realize it, but you're exceptionally gifted. You were never meant to be confined to that house, tied down by

oat tighten, her

she said

od, suddenly raised her hand as i

riel is the mo

ness in the air. Rose didn't know whether to laugh

d with indulgent affection. "That's ri

fted back t

New York. Caleb wants you back at Grand Sage to lead the core intelligent

decided. "I'll arrange for Ariel to r

waving her hands excitedly. "Mom! I'm g

eement, her tone fi

It's time you lived for yourself. This city is big enough for all of you-why shou

ing in Rose's expression, Hale adde

for anything. You don't have to give up opportunities that allow you to truly shine.

mile on the screen, then at the steady,

as though a weight she had carried fo

she said

in a long while, th

a breath, cle

symposium in three days-consider it your first step back i

," Rose

It wa

er focus back

he kind of example h