Jessica stared at Evelyn, completely caught off guard. Her mouth opened, then closed again. The answer seemed to reach her lips before disappearing just as quickly. Then Evelyn's phone rang, shattering the silence. She glanced at the screen. It was Roman.

“I’m sorry.”

She rose from her seat and stepped into the hallway to answer it. Roman called to check whether they had arrived safely, how Noah was doing, whether the villa was comfortable, and if she had eaten. Evelyn answered each question, but part of her mind remained inside the drawing room, replaying Jessica’s reaction over and over.

When she returned a few minutes later, Noah’s cries greeted her...