Page 49 of A Sinful Gravity

"I know," she interrupted, eyes bright. "Mommy has to rehearse beautiful dances so next time Aunt Chloe and I can watch your show together."

I touched her little head. "Right. So tonight Mommy will rehearse, and I'll come home early so we can sleep together, okay?"

"Okay." She nodded. "Mommy, I want another fried egg."

After lunch, we played for a while. Then I washed Laila's face and changed her clothes. Still early, so I let her play with puzzles on the sofa.

My phone buzzed—Chloe calling. Probably coming to pick up Laila.

I answered. She said she was heading out, then hesitated before speaking directly.

"Luna... are you okay? I'm sorry, I didn't know Cassian was meeting clients at that restaurant today."

"It's fine. He doesn't matter to me anymore." I clenched my fingers. "Just don't let anything slip about Laila."

Long silence on the other end.

"I understand. Luna, I won't say anything to him." Chloe paused, then continued.

"But did you see it? The connection between Laila and Cassian. That... blood bond. She was so comfortable with him. When he held her, he was shaking all over... Maybe you need to think about what comes next. Laila's going to grow up."

"I know." That was my biggest headache. "But I can take care of Laila."

"Luna, I'm not taking his side. After you left today, I chewed that idiot out good." Chloe's voice softened. "I just want to ask. If Cassian changed, if he could be a good father, would you tell him?"

I closed my eyes. "I don't think so. Chloe, I can't gamble everything on some vague possibility. Besides, I'm only in D.C. for a month."

"I understand." Chloe sighed and muttered another curse at Cassian. "Then, my friend, I'll help you keep this secret."

After hanging up, I leaned against the wall, chest rising and falling. I knew Chloe worried about Laila's future, but she'd respect my decision.

I'd already decided. The moment the performances ended, I'd be gone. Out of D.C. I couldn't give Cassian any opportunity.

The D.C. evening sky was starting to turn orange, that light falling on the street below, stretching shadows long.

At seven, I handed my daughter to Chloe and took a cab to the theater for rehearsal.

The Royal Ballet's rehearsal space was downtown, also the venue for this residency collaboration—the Kennedy Center. The rehearsal hall's floor-to-ceiling windows faced the river. At night, the water sparkled with lights.

"Luna!" Amy spotted me from far away and hurried over. "We've got a dozen media outlets coming tomorrow. We need to run through every detail."

"No problem."

I changed into my pointe shoes and walked into the rehearsal hall.

The moment the music started, I took a deep breath and pushed all the noise out of my head.

Arms up, toe to the floor, turn.

Once, twice, three times.

I repeated it over and over. Sweat soaked through my practice clothes, and my legs started to weaken, but I didn't stop.

My body spun and leaped, but my soul felt left somewhere else, always thinking of Laila.

"Luna, you seem a bit off today. Mentally, I mean." During the break, Seb handed me water backstage, voice gentle. "Is it because of this afternoon?"

I shook my head. "I'm fine. Just tired. I'll get it together."