himed. A new player had entered the game. I left Caleb

ngles and expensive perfume. She was flanked by two assistants who

r voice like gravel. "We have a

scurried to her sid

ther," Andrew said smoothl

ed her face. "Ah, the retired genius. I hear the tech world has forgot

damaged goods, Hughes. Frankly, he's an embarrassment

er, my face a

require a spousal support trust to be established in my name. Let's say... a nice rou

ry reasonable solution, Nathaniel.

for," Gabrielle added, as if the w

brielle. She reached out and slapped her hard acros

le girl," Debra snarled. "Do you think you hav

g her red cheek. Andrew rushed to he

trying to help." He shot me a look of pure hatred. "This is your fault! You'r

tality is a liability. Your son is a mess, and I am his only way o

I felt a cold calm settle over me. She thought she was negotiating

, my voice q

in disbelief. "

stairs. He must have heard the slap. He saw D

king but filled with a protective fire I hadn't heard

sound. "Look at the little br

slapped Caleb a

rld we

ossible. I grabbed her wrist, m

rom hers, "touch my son again. If you do, I

her eyes for the first time. She tried to

" she spat, recovering her bravado. "You le

ful truth I couldn't deny. I

the doorbel

reassert control, strode to

h a grand flourish. "The ne

there, with several large, covered objects on dollies

sent a single, pre-written text