A Debt of Time and Tears

shed, replaced by a forced, syrupy sw

r briefcase she'd dropped by the door a

we were fighting," she said, her voice

Chloe move. When cornered, create a diversion. Dangle

n't t

ked her straig

today,

f balance. "What do yo

" I asked, my voi

th? The eleventh? Liam

"October twelfth. Does tha

g, horrified realization. She opened her mouth, then c

y whispered, the words soundi

e day you promised to be my partner. The day yo

u didn't forget Mark's birthday last month. I remember you spe

orale! My relationship with Mark is professional. It's what keeps this family afloat! The mo

as sacrifices for the family, a nobl

said, my voice dropping. "I know you're not just wo

genuine panic in

nd heavy. "Project Nightingale. A new company. Using the core AI from your current firm. You're not just ha

xpensive, unopened gift box sat on th

a whisper. "It's not just about us anymore. That's fraud. It's th