I tightened my hold on Leo’s hand and stepped between him and Arthur.
Arthur stepped forward slowly with both hands raised. “I was wrong. I was blind and arrogant. I see it now. You did everything.”
He looked over my gown, then met my eyes. “The company is collapsing, Serena. Without your formulas, it’s an empty shell.” He covered his mouth for a second. “I can’t do this without you.”
He came closer. “Please come home. Let me fix this. For us. For Leo.” His hand reached for my arm. “Let’s go home.”
Home. The brownstone was empty, yet he spoke as if return tickets could put everything back.
Leo flinched before Arthur’s fingers reached me. A frightened sound caught in his throat.
He ducked behind my legs, buried his face in my gown, and bunched the silk in both fists. His processor pre
