A year later, I took Noah to Easton Capital's annual gala.
He wore a suit and looked very solemn.
"Mom, can I eat two slices of cake today?"
I crouched down and straightened his bow tie.
"As long as there's no mango."
He looked up at me.
"Will the nice-smelling lady be there?"
I froze for a second. Then I realized he meant Mia.
"No."
He breathed out in relief.
"I don't like her."
"Why?"
Noah thought for a moment.
"When she looked at Dad, it was like she wanted to take him away."
Children could be frighteningly direct sometimes.
I touched his face.
"No one can take Mom away from you."
He wrapped his arms around my neck.
"I won't be taken away either."
Halfway through the gala, Adrian went onstage to announce the new project lead.
My name appeared on the big screen.
When
