Serena walked out into the hallway holding a porcelain mug of warm tea, her heavy diamond charm bracelet clicking steadily against the rim.

“Oh, Elena, sweetie,” Serena said in a breathy, dramatic exclamation, holding the mug out with both hands.

“I found the chamomile in the pantry.

You must be in absolute agony over that poor lip.”

I took the mug and set it down on the hallway telephone table without drinking.

“Thank you, Serena.”

“Victor told Julian back in August that he wanted our family real estate trust expanded,” Serena said, twirling the thick diamond bracelet around her wrist.

“It was a clear verbal arrangement between father and son, Elena.