"It is." A small smile tugs at my lips as warmth blooms in my chest. "I've written more in the last couple of weeks than I have in months."

"Speaking of progress… have you applied for that scholarship yet?"

"How do you even know about the scholarship?"

"Nothing gets past me, you should know that by now," she says, her smugness tempered by maternal warmth.

I laugh softly, but guilt coils in my chest like a thorny vine. "I was going to bring it up," I rush to explain. "But… I guess I was worried about how you'd feel. With everything going on and Ollie leaving for college soon…"

She pulls out the chair across from me and sits, her posture open, expression gentle.

"Nora, sweetheart, you don't have to worry about me. I'll be fine. This scholarship? It's your dream. And if your dad were here, he'd be the first to tell you to take every opportunity you can."

I look down at my hands, focusing on the beaded bracelet that's become more talisman than accessory—a reminder to take the risk or lose the chance.

"It's just… hard to think about leaving," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. "Things feel fragile sometimes."

Mom reaches across the desk, her hand covering mine. It's warm and steady, just as it's always been.

"Honey, I'm tougher than you think. And besides," she adds, her voice lifting playfully, "I know how to keep myself busy."

I smirk, grateful for the shift in mood. "Speaking of keeping busy, how did your date go last night?"

She laughs softly, leaning back. "It was going great until Nick got a call about a family emergency."

I arch an eyebrow, suspicion prickling at my skin. "Family emergency? Like, Alfie?"

She shakes her head, but something flickers across her face—a hesitation that makes my heart stutter.

"Actually, I saw Nick dropping Nate off late last night."

Her words hang heavy in the air, and my stomach knots. I search her face for clues, for anything that might explain what she's not saying. A cold wave washes through me as I remember Nate's text from last night claiming he was with Jay. The lie sits bitter on my tongue. Nate and his secrets—they're as much a part of him as his crooked smile or the scar above his eyebrow. Could I live with that? Could I make peace with the parts of him I'd never know?

"Nora?" Mom's voice pulls me back.

"Hmm?"

"Your phone's ringing."

I glance at the screen to see Camilla's name flashing.

"Shit," I mutter, grabbing it. "I totally forgot about the polo match today."

Mom laughs. "Lydia is dragging me to a luncheon with a few ladies this afternoon."