I have never in my life been so tired, or so instantly, ferociously certain of anything.

Roderick leaned over and gave his newborn daughter perhaps half a second of his attention, then checked his watch.

“A girl suits your household better anyway,” he said, already stepping back toward the door.

“She’ll fit your life.

Be reasonable when my legal team calls, and I’ll cover a recovery retreat — Miami, or wherever you’d prefer.”

“You are a monster,” I said into my daughter’s hair, and the tears came at last, hot and silent.

“Odette’s feeling faint, so I’m going to take her home,” he said, turning his back on the two of us without a flicker.