IN THE HANDS OF TIME

rmulate a response, the elevator doors opened to the conference floor, and Kohen was on

feeling that she was walking a tightrope betw

security integration. By the time Rachel finally escaped the building, the sun was

he'd be home by six, and it was already quarter till. Her first day i

sing what she'd say to Darian. At seven, he was already acutely aware of broken

d been James Russell's suggestion. 'Only the best for my goddaughter's child',

ly sitter who'd moved with them from their previous city. Darian's therapist h

red, gathering her things. "Barely touched

s-intricate spacecrafts and buildings he constructed

. Winters. Same

r out, Rachel softly k

Mom. Can

t wasn't unusual. She pus

space station model. His dark hair fell across his forehead as he concent

said softly, kneeling besid

't look up.

one said

and all." She reached out to smooth his hair

ring to the daily schedule his therapist ha

wn timeline showed his day in neat blocks: breakfast

ented him. "Much better than my

d, still focused on attaching a

e way his eyes remained fixed on his task. She recognized the signs of

really use your help with the pasta. You're the onl

d her a qu

uietly, the real issue finally emer

gly. "You're right. It's a

ered, a small crack in his ca

his model. "I know, buddy. I miss our old place too. B

Darian recited, still not looking

achel assured him. "And Mrs.

untered, his logic i

re right. I have to work. But I promis

en holding and looked at her, his eyes serious

hysical blow. "What? No, of cour

broke her heart. "We lived away from here be

e could be with a sensitive seven-year-old. He knew his father wasn't dead, but that he wasn't part of their lives. He

ob," she said caref

dn't given her a choice about the transfer

ould she maintain this precarious separation

subject with the typical abruptness of children, tho

rateful for the reprieve.

arian's face as he carefully set as

agreed, following h

wine, gazing at the city lights. Aspen had changed in the years she'd be

where she'd grown up, where she'd loved

ed with a text

y surviva

ing back: 'Still b

at

ss who owns

before Stephanie respon

im

What are you

asking herself all day. What was she going to do? She had

inally replied.

Dar

ar question, wasn't it? What about Darian? What rights did Kohen ha

respond, another

to know his f

rlier, felt like an accusation. Rachel close

icated,' sh

for 7 years. Maybe it's

ions, couldn't understand the tangled web of pain, fear,

inside, closing the balcony door o

he tightrope. Another day of pretending h

ecrets that grew heavier