Corrine and Adrian exchanged a look heavy with years of unspoken understanding. In the end, both of them smiled, strained nervous smiles that didn't quite reach their eyes.
"Cassie's parentage has to remain a secret," Corrine said carefully, her voice calm but firm. "At least until the right time. She's been gone for almost six months already, so… give it another year and a half. When the time is right, everything will unravel on its own."
Franklin was no fool. He caught the hesitation, the deliberate phrasing, the way they avoided saying too much. His brows drew together slightly.
"So," he said evenly, "were her parents some kind of big shots?"
Adrian let out a quiet breath and forced a smile. "Frank, you really are sharp." He inclined his head slightly, sincerity evident in
