I had built an entire philosophy to explain why the woman who owned everything should be the one on her knees on the kitchen floor.

Standing there with my finger bleeding, I felt that philosophy finally give way, quietly, the way ice gives way — no crack, just a sudden certainty that the thing you were standing on will no longer hold your weight.

Leontyne appeared in the doorway in a glittering gold gown and looked down at the shards on the floor.

“You can’t even serve a dinner without a disaster.

Eight years among decent people and you still have the manners of a temp.”

I took a slow breath.