Page 47 of A Sinful Gravity

I paused, then tried again. "Laila, don't get too close to strangers, like you did with that man. Bad people kidnap children. It's dangerous."

"Is that man a bad person, too?"

Damn it, why did we circle back?

"Baby, the point is to remember what Mommy said."

Thankfully, Laila didn't push further. She just nodded sweetly.

Seb drove in silence.

Once Laila fell asleep—she always did in the car, leaning against me with her head tilted, breathing steady—Seb finally spoke, voice low. "You okay?"

"I'm fine."

He didn't respond right away. Then, "That man. Is he the one you mentioned before?"

Seb knew some things about me, but not much. I'd never detailed those memories. He knew I'd been married in D.C., knew it wasn't a good memory.

He'd never asked about Laila's father. He never did. That's what made him so easy to be around.

"Yeah."

He nodded. Didn't pry. Just said, "If you need help, tell me."

"Okay." Warmth spread through me. This feeling of not being alone felt good. "Thank you, Seb... Sorry for dragging you into this."

"You don't need to say that with me," Seb said quietly.

He was always such a gentleman. Sometimes, watching him with Laila, I thought he'd make a great dad someday.

Seb had changed me in subtle ways. He'd taught me to center my life on myself, showed me what it really meant to love myself.

I smiled. "Well, thank you again." For everything.

He glanced at me, then back at the road, smiling too. "You're welcome."

D.C. slid past the window—familiar streets and trees blurring by, reminding me of when I used to navigate this city constantly. I'd loved it once.

But now I just thought: one more month. After the performances, Chicago. Leave here. Everything back on track.

I wasn't worried about running into Cassian. He meant nothing to me now. I was just afraid... he'd investigate Laila's background. The thought of him confirming her identity and taking her from me made me unable to breathe.

It's okay, Luna. I held Laila tighter. I'd protect her no matter what.

After Seb helped move our luggage from the hotel to the apartment, he said he needed to swing by the Royal Ballet to confirm rehearsal details. I thanked him and got out with Laila.

"Luna." He stopped me.

I turned.

He looked at me, worry still in his eyes. Finally, he just said, "Call me if anything happens."

I nodded. "I will. Don't worry."

Laila had woken up, energy restored. She climbed down from my arms and stared up at the building.

"Mommy! Our new home is white!"