space of the penthouse in a soft golden glow. Serena stirred awake in the guest

smell of cedar and citrus soap-it all felt so foreign. Then she remembered:

e sleep from her eyes

laughter floated through the hall.

und into the open-plan

nosaur and roaring at the top of his lungs. Across from him, still in his

e a mystery, more like a man-one who had know

clearing her throat as s

d, eyes wi

asn't his real mother. Not even close. But he said it

eside him and ruffled his already

d proudly. "Daddy made i

dest shrug. "I

lf. "Didn't realize paleonto

rprises," Theo said, sippin

tionless beneath tailored sweatpants. It struck her again, how jarringly com

ee?" he asked, as th

island, where a full pot sat waiting. She poured hersel

the rim of his cup. "D

d," she admitted. "The

plied, amused. "It seeme

he teased. "But I'

een them-not uncomfort

er cup. "So, what

ave two meetings at the clini

ould stop by my mom's place. She's wo

rse. Do you want the

"I'd rather take the subw

ou're not exactly nor

y. "Tell that

am to the car. The boy clung to her

when I get home?"

ed, brushing a kiss across his

the car pull away with a su

her welcomed it-the chaos, the anonymity. No penthouse walls

he same: modest, cluttered, filled

s scanning her daughter with maternal precision.

ust... needed t

ed. "You're glowing

fingers fidgeting

a silence.

her mother

fered to pay for Jason's legal fees. I

chest. "Serena... are you ok

alm. He doesn't expect any

What do yo

her neck. Of Theo's midnight thank-you. Of

ly. "But I don't feel afraid. And t

of her old books and her mother's casserole.

y all that," he said, ey

something

g her in. Liam's giggle c

ed to see you,"

and crossed

o feel like crossing into something m

hing

g like b