CHAPTER 4: Serena Vale Holds the Room Hostage

Serena recovered because she had built a career on recovering before anyone noticed the fall.
She stepped between Adrian and Mara with the soft smile she used for charitable boards and hostile lenders. 'This is not the place for personal theater,' she said. 'There are children present.'
One of the boys looked up at her, unimpressed. The darker-haired one. His small tie was crooked, but his stare was clean and direct in a way Adrian recognized from childhood photographs of himself.
'Mama said grown-ups say theater when they do not want the truth to sit down,' he said.
A few people near the fountain looked away to hide their surprise.
Mara placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. 'Noah,' she warned gently.
The name struck Adrian with unreasonable force. Noah. A name he had once written on a napkin during a winter dinner because Mara said she liked names that sounded like shelter.
Serena's smile thinned. 'Charming,' she said.
Mara finally looked at her. 'Do not speak to my son as if he is decoration.'