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
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