Chapter 1: Gate Seven

The Woman in Business Class
The airport hall was full of soft announcements, rolling suitcases, and passengers lifting passports beneath the pale gold lights. At Gate Seven, the business-class line moved slowly toward the counter.
Maya Cole stood near the front, one hand resting on her rounded stomach, the other holding a cream ticket folder. Her navy dress was simple, her shoes flat, her face calm. Nothing about her asked for attention, yet she carried herself as if she did not need permission to belong anywhere.
Behind her, a glamorous young woman in a white designer coat stopped abruptly. Her sunglasses slid down her nose.
"Maya?"
Maya turned. Vanessa Hartwell had changed only in the expensive ways: better diamonds, sharper makeup, the same spoiled smile.
Vanessa looked from Maya's pregnant belly to the business-class sign. Before Maya could speak, she reached forward and took the boarding pass from her hand.
"I can't believe someone like you is flying business class," Vanessa said.
The line quieted.
Maya's fingers remained open for one second. Then she looked at Vanessa without anger.
"Why can't I?"