LOGINPAIGEWeeks pass. The apartment fills up.Couch. Table. Curtains. Plates that match. The plant is still alive. I water it every Tuesday."Paige." Marcus is in the kitchen. Making breakfast. "Sadie's coming over.""When?""Today. Lunch."I look at the calendar. "It's Wednesday.""She wants to see the place.""She's seen the place.""She wants to see it with furniture."I laugh. "Fine. I'll make food."---SADIEShe shows up at noon with wine.Three bottles. Red. White. Something pink I can't pronounce."You're early," I say."I'm excited.""It's an apartment. Not a circus.""With you, it's always a circus."She walks in. Looks around. Whistles."Paige. This is actually nice.""The couch was Marcus's idea.""The curtains?""Mine.""The plant?""Julian's."She walks to the window. Touches a leaf. "It's alive.""Barely."She turns. Grins. "I'm proud of you.""For what?""For building something. For staying. For not running."I hand her a glass of wine. "It's not always easy.""Nothing wor
PAIGEThe week after the injunction is quiet.Too quiet.Marcus goes back to work. Haruto goes back to work. Julian goes back to work.I stay home. Water the plant. Open the mail. Watch the news."Paige."Sadie's voice. Through the phone."Yeah.""How are you?""I'm fine.""You're lying.""I'm waiting. There's a difference.""Waiting for what?""For the other shoe to drop."Sadie is quiet for a moment."Has Eleanor said anything?""No. That's what scares me.""Maybe she's done.""Eleanor Whitmore is never done."Sadie sighs. "Then what are you going to do?""Enjoy the quiet. While it lasts."---MARCUSI come home early.Paige is on the floor. Surrounded by boxes. The plant is by the window."Paige."She looks up. "Hey.""What are you doing?""Unpacking. Finally."I sit beside her. "Need help?""I need you to tell me what happened today.""Nothing happened.""Nothing?""My mother's lawyers filed a motion. My lawyers responded. The judge will rule next week.""That's not nothing.""It'
MARCUSThe lawyers call at 8 AM."Mr. Whitmore. We've filed the injunction. Your mother's lawyers will respond within 48 hours.""And then?""And then we wait."I hang up. Stare at the ceiling.Paige is beside me. Her hand on my chest."Marcus.""Yeah.""What did they say?""They filed the injunction. Now we wait."She sits up. Looks at me."How do you feel?""Tired.""Of the fight or of her?""Both."She touches my face. "We're not going to let her win.""I know.""Then stop looking like you've already lost."I pull her close. "I love you.""I love you too."Haruto walks in. Coffee in hand."The lawyers called me too.""What did they say?""They said your mother is panicking."I blink. "Panicking?""She didn't expect you to fight back. She thought you'd roll over.""She doesn't know me.""She's learning."Julian appears in the doorway. "The press is outside.""The press?""Three vans. Cameras. Reporters."Paige stands. Walks to the window. Looks down."There are a lot of them.""Do y
MARCUSThree days pass.I don't leave the apartment. Don't answer calls. Don't check emails.Paige brings me food. Haruto sits with me in silence. Julian watches from the window."Marcus."Paige's voice. Soft."Yeah.""You need to eat.""I'm not hungry.""You need to eat anyway."She hands me a plate. Eggs. Toast. Coffee.I take a bite. Then another."Haruto called his lawyers.""For what?""To fight your mother."I set the fork down. "No.""Marcus—""No. I'm not dragging you into this.""You're not dragging anyone. We're jumping."I look at her. Those dark eyes. Full of everything."Paige—""We're a family, Marcus. That means we fight together."I pull her into a hug."What would I do without you?""Starve. And wear ugly clothes."I laugh. Real."Okay. Call the lawyers."---HARUTOThe lawyers come to the apartment.Three of them. Expensive suits. Serious faces."Mr. Whitmore." The lead lawyer opens a folder. "We've reviewed your case. Your mother's position is strong, but not unassa
PAIGEThe week after the wedding is quiet.Too quiet.Marcus goes to work. Haruto goes to work. Julian goes to work. I stay home. Unpack boxes. Hang curtains. Watch the plant grow."Paige."Sadie's voice. Through the phone."Yeah.""How are you?""I'm fine.""You're lying.""I'm unpacking.""That's not an answer."I set the box down. Sit on the floor."I think Eleanor is planning something.""Like what?""I don't know. That's what scares me."Sadie is quiet for a moment. "Have you talked to Marcus?""He says I'm paranoid.""You're not paranoid. You're paying attention."I lean against the wall. "What do I do?""You trust your gut. And you keep your friends close.""You're not helping.""I'm helping. I'm just not telling you what you want to hear."I laugh. Small."Thanks, Sadie.""Always."---MARCUSMy phone buzzes at work.My mother's lawyer.Mr. Whitmore. A reminder that the board meeting is Friday. Your presence is required.I type back.I'll be there.Your mother will also be att
PAIGEThe garden is full of people I don't know.Women in expensive dresses. Men in tailored suits. Everyone holding champagne. Everyone staring."You're causing a scene," Marcus whispers."I'm breathing. That's not a scene.""You're breathing loudly."I elbow him. He grins.Haruto is on my left. His hand is on my lower back. Julian is on my right. His grey eyes scan the crowd like he's counting enemies."Relax," I whisper to Julian."I am relaxed.""You look like you're about to kill someone.""That's my relaxed face."Marcus laughs. A woman walks toward us. Older. Elegant. Cold."Marcus." Her voice is polished. "You came.""Hello, Aunt Patricia."Her eyes move to me. To Haruto. To Julian."And you brought... guests.""My partners."She blinks. "Partners?""Paige. Haruto. Julian. This is my aunt, Patricia."I extend my hand. "Lovely to meet you."She stares at my hand like it might bite her. Then she shakes it. Brief. Cold."I've heard about you.""Hopefully good things."She doesn't







