Page 439 of Ruthless Court

Hannah: Mom made me decorate six dozen sugar cookies.

A picture follows.

She is standing at a kitchen island wearing a red sweater, glasses, and flour on one cheek.

My chest immediately aches.

Me: You look domestic.

Hannah: Never say that again.

Me: Cute though.

Hannah: Better.

Another picture.

A tray of snowmen.

One appears to have suffered severe facial trauma.

Me: What happened to that one?

Hannah: Dad decorated it.

Me: He should stay with basketball.

Three dots.

Then:

Hannah: We talked last night.

I stare at the message from the back seat of a rideshare heading toward the address I looked up before leaving California.

Me: Yeah?

Hannah: Really talked.

I wait.

Hannah: It was good.

Then:

Hannah: Not fixed. But good.

Relief moves through me.

Me: I'm glad.

Hannah: He apologized again. I told him more about Ryan.

That one surprises me.

Me: How'd he take it?

Hannah: Quiet.