The Architect's Reckoning

e and Cousin Mike dropped

with Lily at

le Joe said, his tone serious

ground, looking like he'

?" Ethan asked, al

t pretend she doesn't exist. You're b

, Sera, she's still... well, she's Sera Vance. And that offer she made,

e Joe. I'm married. I have a daughter

ves back then, dazzled by his connection to the Van

something to close this chapter

a symbolic gift he' d given Sera years ago, representing their shared future. He' d poured

it was

led in its original worn velvet box, and the sealed, five-year-old l

s. Just a final,

ply. He just wanted i

iliar number flashed on

le Joe: "Ethan, call me

tly, Eth

ic. "Sera collapsed! They said it was stress. Happen

rprise, not guilt. "I sent her somethi

nce is involved, and... look, she's invited you to a garden

. Not a summo

uld have known it wo

ild, her bright laughter,

orld, Ethan," she' d declared, her eyes sh

ief in him, by the desire to be worthy of the golden girl from the power

tion, pulling him into her glittering w

ity knew th

ero, charming, confident, everything Ethan, the studio

kind of sparkle that Ethan hadn't seen before, a sp

equal," people said. "A war hero and a

telling himself Sera was diffe

er birthday, a quiet picnic, just the t

n gift, a handwritten note r

hold servant: "Miss Vance i

ore his mind did, leading him t

Sera, radiant in a new dress, hanging on Marcus Thorne's a