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‘I love you too,’ I say softly, and cut the call

I turn toward Brian ‘Thank you’ My voice is full of gratitude

He nods

He has made his alliance He had no real choice, but ultimately, he kneould not have survived any betrayal ofher young Today, he has beco day

The building is grand and i on a high plinth can be, until you re at the botto quickly, the brown envelope frohtly lit and cool inside

It is not visiting tier to please They refer to her respectfully as Lady Victoria It is not like anurse takesBlake to when she suine which chair he will sit in I pick the one farthest froazines on the table blankly I don’t kno long passes, but it see time Eventually the door opens and she enters with a nurse

‘Ring the bell when you are finished,’ the nurse says to me with a smile

I rise to my feet Victoria has come to meet own I consider that a threat I get it You only dress for those you want to impress I too have not bothered to dress, but for the opposite reason To show her that I am subservient to her To allow her the opportunity to see ho she has brought me

She takes the sofa opposite to mine and coolly folds herself onto it

I sit down, and taking the envelope out of , push it across the coffee table toward her

She covers it with her hand and pockets it in her dressing gown Her nails are cut to the quick It e?’ she says, looking at e’

‘You look terrible,’ she notes

‘I feel terrible’

‘You should You are a thief’

I bite my lip ‘How is he?’

‘He’s a bit of a spoilt brat He won’t eat properly… And he bites’

My heart feels as if it is breaking I don’t show it ‘He is a good boy He is just not used to strangers’

‘And the only word the brat see with me I resist the compulsion to tell her that Sorab can say more than just no He can say yes He can say Daddy, Sleep Teddy, din din for dinner, and Lana No matter how many times I try to correct him he refuses to call ive up for your son?’

I look at her I know she wants the ultimate sacrifice ‘What do you want from me?’

‘I haven’t decided yet I’ll think about it and let you know if there is anything’ She stands up and, walking to the door, rings the bell