She had chosen appearance over reality fifteen years ago, and she was still choosing it, and it had left her, for all her diamonds, the poorest person in that entire room.

“Thomas,” she said.

Chapter 15 — You Look Tired, Thomas

“Laura,” I said, and I kept my voice flat and even, giving her nothing.

Her eyes traveled over my plain black suit, taking its measure, comparing it, I am sure, unfavorably to Gregory’s.

“You look tired, Thomas,” she said, and there was a small cruelty in it, disguised as concern.

“Fifteen years of raising six daughters alone will do that to a man,” I answered, without missing a beat.

I watched Gregory shift his weight uncomfortably behind her, and I watched Laura’s bright social smile tighten at the edges.