Millicent
The rest of the week fell into a pattern. Mornings in the office, managing Abel's schedule and correspondence. Afternoons with Mom, whose treatment was already showing remarkable progress. Evenings in my studio, painting while the baby performed acrobatics.
Camden became an unexpected ally, filling me in on pack dynamics I'd missed during my absence. He never asked directly about my arrangement with Abel, but he made sure I knew which allies to handle carefully, which staff members could be trusted, which situations might require delicate navigation.
"For what it's worth," he mentioned one quiet afternoon while Abel was in a conference call, "these three months were the worst I've seen him. The pack is grateful you're back, whatever the circumstances."
I didn't know what to d
