Victoria’s overnight bag sat by the front door, already zipped. She checked her phone one last time, then looked up at Elena and Marcus with a tired but genuine smile.

“The conference runs through Sunday afternoon. I’ll be back late. You two will be all right?”

Marcus nodded. “We’ll manage.”

Elena kept her arms loosely crossed over her chest, careful of the collection of bruises hidden under her soft sweater. “Have a good trip, Mom.”

Victoria pulled her into a quick hug. Elena held still, hyper-aware of every tender mark pressed against her mother’s body for that brief second. When Victoria stepped back she turned to Marcus and brushed a...