ame at

. Professional

door, that whatever stood on the other

s, signaling the children to st

ood in the n

lder. The other had a tablet tucked under he

" the woman in t

es

s is my colleague, Karen Liu. We'

orld

e to remain steady.

w questions," Cynthia said

tepped

erything at once-the scuffed coffee table, the mismatched chairs, th

e dining table. Lin

. "We're conducting a routine invest

d in her ears. "A

gaze. "We can'

't need d

ri

d the hallway. "Are

d sharply. "And

with them as well," C

o fists. "They're three

ful," Cynthia said. "But our

tterly. "Then w

ion hung

nt had been measured

e children's bedrooms.

ith concentration. Noah joked until Karen gently asked him

er, Cynthia cl

in touch,"

on?" Li

plied. "Please don

closed be

at on the floor, her breath c

her phone and

red imme

, her voice breaking.

. "My team flagged it the mom

his was coming

he corrected. "I didn't kn

na whispered. "They looked at

ming,"

quickly. "Not

was a

tion with me will make it w

es

replied. "But w

in a private confere

rrived

d tired.

ticed imm

have had to fac

whole life," Lina replied

her to sit. She

bility to parent," she sa

rian said. "Especially when

Then why does it feel li

" Adrian said. "She painted you as

t tightened

nt father with resources

nce

hey want?"

't answer i

t?" she repeated,

ssment," he said. "Custodial

at him. "Say

n to spend time with m

seemed to

said. "Abso

," he added quickly. "

m over," Lina said, her voice

ics," Adrian replied. "Refusal coul

ics!" Lina shouted. "I

Adrian said firmly. "Including fro

d with tears.

," he said. "Not tha

, pressing a ha

wants," Lina whisp

agreed. "And

week wa

iews. Home vi

pt in fr

en sensed

uble?" Noah as

a smile. "Grown-ups are

her closely. "

I'm scared," she admitted so

around Lina's neck. "

em all and c

ion came on a F

y dual p

s with

ys wit

t the documen

his," she said,

uietly. "And if we appeal im

is compliance,"

n is surviv

t him then-r

had power, lawy

ill couldn't undo

you," she s

linched.

you'd put

d. "Even if it

ore than sh

eekend arri

's apartment, hands clasp

n hovered b

n said quietly. "I'll brin

pped forw

ometimes grown-ups have

d him. "Do y

n't hesita

ed. "Do we

y. "You never have to do a

t her gaz

em says so," she said col

ildren

t felt unbea

, staring at the door

hone

ge from

I told you you c

ers shook a

e: This i

ore: It

, the childr

were

oah clung to Lina longer than usua

ngered at

" he said. "They

ok at him. "Di

he ad

nderstand this. I will never forg

ession harden

to decide tha

t the ground beneath

is Moore poured hers

ne was

wo would hu