opened.
Eleanor Shiao entered.
At seventy-two, my mother-in-law moved slowly, never weakly. Behind her came General Counsel, a forensic auditor—and Jang.
Shiaoza stood.
“Mother?”
Eleanor ignored him.
Her gaze settled on Jang.
For the first time that day, Jang looked like a child waiting to be recognized.
Eleanor whispered, “Lian.”
Jang covered her mouth.
Tears filled Eleanor’s eyes, but she turned toward her son.
“You found her six years ago. And you never told me.”
“I was protecting you.”
“No,” Eleanor said. “You were using her.”
The auditor opened his
