On Saturday, Layla visited Evelyn at the Weston estate. Evelyn had lost considerable weight, but she was in good spirits. She held Layla's hand, her eyes reddening. "Layla, you've gotten thinner. Has that awful grandson of mine been mistreating you again?"
Layla shook her head. "No. Work has been keeping me busy."
"Work?" Evelyn's eyes lit up. "You went back to work?"
"Yes. I took on a project."
"Good. That's wonderful." Evelyn's wrinkles softened with her broad smile. "A woman needs a career of her own. Men can't be trusted, especially my grandson."
Layla smiled faintly.
Evelyn pulled a velvet jewelry box from beneath her pillow and pressed it into Layla's hands. "Open it."
Inside was a green-stone heirloom brooch. The stone itself was ordinary, but its smooth, rounded edges showed
