what made everything so difficult.
People were easier when they were one thing.
Good.
Bad.
Kind.
Cruel.
Faithful.
Dishonest.
But Ethan could be patient with Lily and controlling with me.
He could remember my mother’s birthday and hide financial decisions.
He could lie to me while perhaps believing he was protecting us.
And Adrian could be considerate while still carrying secrets I didn’t understand.
Maybe growing up meant accepting that people rarely arrived in clean categories.
Maybe strength meant learning to see complexity without surrendering your own judgment.
I looked at Lily.
She had syrup on her cheek.
At least some things were simple.
I wiped it away.
“Okay,” I said. “Tell me what you found.”
Daniel opened the laptop.
“Your booking was made nine days ago.”
“I know.”
“Mr. Prescott changed onto your flight yesterday afternoon at 2:14 p.m.”
Adrian nodded.
“And fourteen B?” I asked.
Daniel
