Sami blew a long nasal breath into the phone. She waited for him to speak. He took too long. His silence spelled it all.
She sank onto the bench. “I see.”
“Petra, it’s complicated. Hanna has a theory. Stay where you are, I’m leaving the office as we speak.”
“Don’t.” She wrapped her arm around Elias to hold it together. “You’ll be stuck in traffic and I’m not waiting in this mall. I’m going home.”
“I’ll meet you there.”
“I want to be alone.” She swallowed a lump in her throat. “Please, Sami.”
“Damn it, Petra. I didn’t want you to know this way.”
“I’ll be okay.” She pulled Elias closer, tears escaping her control. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
***
Her mind in a million fragments, her movements sluggish, Petra barely managed to help Elias through bedtime rituals. She tucked him in bed, wi
