For the first time in years, Riana did something wildly irresponsible.
She took leave.
Not half a day. Not “I’ll answer emails at night.”
Actual leave from work.
She handed her pack duties to her beta, Akiko sent a single-line message to the senate secretary… family matter, urgent… and turned her phone face down.
Willa noticed immediately.
“Mommy… are you sick?” she asked suspiciously on the first morning.
Riana laughed, tying her hair up clumsily. “No, sweetheart. Mommy is… learning how to be a mommy again.”
Raphael, sipping coffee nearby, raised his mug. “A bold and noble quest.”
Willa narrowed her eyes. “Uncle Raphael, are you helping?”
“I am supervising,” he said solemnly. “Very important role.”
He leaned down and gave Riana a kiss on her cheeks and w
