Three months earlier. The day Lucas went to Lefèvre & Associés for his interview.
He had barely been gone ten minutes when there was another knock at the apartment door. Iris' first thought was that he had forgotten something. Then she remembered he had his own key. He would not need her to let him in. A cold premonition settled in her stomach. She opened the door. A woman dressed with quiet, severe elegance stood on the other side.
"I am Lucas' mother."
She came straight to the point. Iris felt her heart plummet like a stone into a dark well. She invited Catherine inside and poured her a glass of hot water. Catherine did not so much as glance at it. Her voice was soft and measured, almost motherly, but her eyes were full of a deep and practiced contempt. "Don't bother. Sit down. I want
