ed on the wall. She had rehearsed this moment over and over again, the possibility that Damien might recognize her. She had changed her name, her hair, the way she spoke all in prep

met before?" - hung be

nsidering his words. "I don't believe so," she said, her voice s

peeling back layers, searching for something buried beneath the surface. Sh

nother, then, just like

lipping through her file once more. "You

inning to ease. She nodded quickly. "Yes. Ive worked

le

ached, as if this was nothing more than a business transaction, and for him, maybe it was. Lena had spent hours rehearsing for this moment. Sh

ping her voice even. "My last position involved tutoring and child development, particul

n son." His interruption was sharp, cut

but didn't let her

a room, but there had been warmth beneath that dominance, a flicker

o

istant. A fortress bui

nt that I understand the import

le

able with live-

es

lifted ag

e could not tell him the truth; that she needed a place to disappear, a safe spa

ith my work, and being close by might help foster a better bond wit

. Then he nodded and moved on. "Ethan is five. He doesn't respo

at. "I understand. Earning

face-approval, maybe? It was

ightly. "I don't expect you to force conversation out of him. J

ight, and what's

," Damien s

urse

across the desk. "Ethan's rout

ely 7:30 AM. Reading and language lessons. Playtime was restricted to indoors a

ght she had known-would have never been this distant with his own ch

, but she inten

lly folding the paper. "A

the interview started, Da

t in the

e a door being slammed shut. Lena knew better

lized he was holding. He studied her once more, his gaze asses

h the effort, he leaned back slightl

he wanted to ask. Did you ever think about me? Did I ever mean

o

y said. "But I don't tolerate neglige

and," Lena

Then, Damien reached into a drawer, pul

on Monday

er hands steady, her expression neutral, but inside, he

roof as the man she once loved and he had no i