I walked out to the car, and Marcus held the door open for me with a polite nod. He stood with a rigid, military posture that used to make me nervous, but today, it felt like a sturdy wall between me and the rest of the world. "Ready when you are, Ma'am."
"Ready," I said, sliding into the cool, pristine leather interior. The SUV smelled of expensive detailing and safety.
As we drove away from the house, I looked out at the passing trees, their deep green leaves blurring into a soft canopy above the road. My mind was a whirlwind of pleasant thoughts—brunch menus, sisterly laughter, and the simple joy of choosing my own company.
The bistro downtown was tucked away on a cobblestone corner, a charming little spot where the patio was overflowing with blooming hanging baskets of pink and purp
