expensive with time.”
“That sounds like Mom.”
“Yes.”
By afternoon, I knew what I needed.
I asked Rowan to invite Selina over.
He looked nervous.
“You’re sure?”
“No.”
“Should I tell her why?”
“No.”
“That will make her more nervous.”
“I know.”
At four o’clock, Selina arrived with a pale blue gift bag for Leo.
She had always been elegant rather than glamorous—precise clothes, carefully arranged silver-blond hair, everything coordinated.
Today she simply looked tired.
She stopped when she noticed Dad at the dining table.
“Mr. Sterling.”
“Mrs. Hale.”
Her
