. He said nothing, yet there was something about the way that he walked beside me now. He no longer seeme

nt, and I gave him a small, hesitant

uld have anticipated him to, a deep vo

now. Work hour

tanding in the hallway, arms f

aight, looking

d to start today. My s

, clearly prepared to argue. "T

terrupted before he could do so, speaking in an even tone

ing else. For a moment, I felt as though he was going to push back stron

ce," he says. "W

nd silently. Adam did not wait for me to reply before he wa

nsaid. Adam is behind his desk, looking at me li

in," he says aft

. "Excu

his job correctly, you n

ng my daughter with me. Otherwis

refuse. He shifted his head to the side, pretending not

the way his eyes flicked toward the door as though picturing Sam

his voice brusque. "S

show on my face. Rather, I nod.

...

partment, a mix of excitement and tiredness w

fragrance around me and wrapped me up with the feeling of home. Even before

e energy her small frame could muster. She threw her

s onto her soft cheek. "I'm home baby, I've m

brown eyes shimmering under the glow of t

tiny hands toying at the bottom of my shirt. "Well. I met this little boy

s brushing against my chin. "Like when I

I ran a hand through her hair an

er little brows furrowing. Then, as if making a s

d me. "I think

der her chin. The soft buzz of her nightlight made frolickin

ory?" I asked, pushing cu

"Yes! The one about the fe

e tattered book, its covers worn

deepening, her eyelashes twitching against her cheeks. She was asleep in n

her room and got my phone, its chill

p the phone, I didn't give

ef sweeping over me like a wave das

f her voice surrounding me like a cozy h

e couch, my own body still reeling

Lee tak

ugh the curtains, illuminating her sleeping form in a silvery glo

lionaire is giving you permissi

t my legs. "I didn't ex

e of amusement in her voice. "That man ha

b, about Lee, about how surreal everything felt to

anded, her tone softer

ks for everyt

way

heavy. The mansion, Adam's glacial stare, Sami's mute presence-these all revolved in my mind li

o

h beginning. I was