Nathan's sigh traveled through the phone line, heavy and resigned, as though he had already rehearsed this conversation in his head and still hoped it would end differently.
"It's not a must," he said at last. "I'm just asking. I know you have obligations with your legal son."
Cassie closed her eyes, relief loosening the tight knot that had formed in her chest. She leaned back against her chair, the city humming faintly beyond the glass walls of her office.
"Thank you for understanding," she said softly. "I'm in the middle of opening new business chains. Any movement now would be overwhelming. And I still need to send food to my daughter regularly. I can meet your parents another time, if you don't mind."
On the other end, Nathan nodded even though she could not see him. Guil
