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“No. Not with you.”

“With someone?”

I hesitate. “I think your father has some work problem.”

She sighs. “He always has work problems.”

“That does seem to be a theme.”

She shifts from one foot to the other. “I really want to go to Lily’s party, Elle.”

“I know.”

“All my friends will be there. And Lily’s mother said there will be a cake with pink frosting and edible glitter, which Papa thinks is ridiculous, but it is not ridiculous.”

“It is not ridiculous,” I say solemnly. “Edible glitter is an important cultural and prepubescent milestone.”

She giggles. “Pub-what?”

That earns me a tiny smile.

Then it fades.

“I don’t want everyone to forget me.”

Oh.

The words are soft, but I feel a pang go through me.

I crouch a little so I am closer to her height, ignoring the pull in my hip.

“Nobody is going to forget you.”

“You don’t know that.”

“No, I don’t,” I admit. “But I know that Lily has been your friend for a long time, and people don’t usually forget their friends after a few days.”

“What if Papa never lets me go back?”

“He will.”

“When?”

I don’t have an answer, and I refuse to lie to her just because it would make the moment easier.

“I don’t know,” I say. “But I’ll talk to him about the party. Maybe there’s a way to make it safe enough for him to say yes.”

Her eyes brighten. “You promise?”

“Yes. I promise I’ll talk to him.”

She throws her arms around my waist before I am ready.

I wince but hug her back. It’s over quickly. She pulls away, satisfied, and starts toward the stairs.

“I’m going to tell Viktor you promised,” she says.

“Please don’t make me sound more influential than I am.”