Five Years Earlier
Ronan's POV
I found out about the trip almost by accident, a scheduling note from Priya about clearing Bella's calendar for two weeks, no explanation attached beyond family matters.
"What family matters?" I asked, catching Priya in the hallway before she could disappear into the elevator.
"You would have to ask her that." Priya's expression gave nothing away, which told me she'd been asked to give nothing away. "I just moved the meetings, Ronan. I don't know why."
I found Bella in the east studio an hour later, packing renderings into a portfolio case she didn't usually travel with.
"You're leaving the city."
She didn't look up right away. "For a while. Two weeks, maybe longer."
"Because of the leasing office inquiry."
"Because of everything." She set the portfo
