The letter arrived folded twice, ink smudged from too much handling. Julia read it once, then again, hoping the words would soften.
Come home before you embarrass the family further. — Mother.
Her throat felt raw. No greeting, no warmth—just the same clipped authority she’d grown up under. Brandon was still asleep on the couch, one arm flung over his eyes. For a moment, she watched him breathe, his chest rising slow, steady. The quiet between them had been fragile lately, stitched together with forgiveness and fear. She couldn’t risk tearing it apart with this.
When he stirred, she tucked the letter under a stack of invoices.
“I need to go away for a few days,” she said lightly.
He blinked, half awake. “Work?”
She nodded. “Just something I need to handle.”
He smiled sleepily, trusti
