ALIANA

The moment the woman leaves, Grace pulls the conference room door closed, as if keeping something out. She moves carefully, almost like the space needs sealing.

A pause hangs in the air and not a single person shifts.

Out of nowhere King speaks up "That woman was totally heinous mom".

A quiet exhale escapes me, then he shifts into my arms. "That's what she was."

Jenna crosses her arms. “If I ever see that woman again, I’ll accidentally spill red wine on her soul.”

Lily nods. “Repeatedly.”

Evera crouches in front of me. “Aliana… you handled that with so much control.”

I laugh, but it’s hollow. “Control is just...