I’m not sure how long someone was knocking before the sound finally penetrated my music and work trance. I shook my head to clear it and opened the door.

“How’s your headache?” Mom asked.

Shit. I blinked and moved to block the entrance to my room so she couldn’t see my computer. “Better. I was lying down. How’s Allegra?”

“Upset.” My mother’s steady dark gaze drilled into mine. “I need to talk to you for a minute.”

“Um, can we talk in the morning? I really need to—”

“Now.” She pushed past and walked in with a maternal authority I knew well. I meekly shut the door behind me. I was too tired and stressed to fight. I’d let her yell and I’d deal with the fallout tomorrow. “I see the Advil worked quickly. Unless work is a cure for migraines?”

I glared at her with frustration. “Fine, I had a huge disaster at work and need to get it straightened out. We spent the whole day together and I only left for dessert. Why can’t you understand?”

A sigh escaped her. “Frannie, this isn’t about me. It’s about Allegra. How do you think she feels knowing you lied to her? You promised this trip would be an opportunity to strengthen your relationship, but so far, you’ve managed to steadily disappear in our very first week.”

“I’m trying. If I don’t deliver this new campaign by the morning, I’m going to lose an important client. This is the last time. I’ll tell Kate and Layla after this to keep me out of the loop.”

“Until the next supposed catastrophe. If you believe that, you’re lying to yourself and us.”

I paced the room like a caged animal. “Fine, Mom, you win. I’m a terrible mother. An awful daughter. A selfish workaholic who only cares about success. Feel better now?”

I wanted her to yell back at me. I despised my juvenile tirade, but my temper was frayed and I desperately needed an outlet for all this pent-up emotion. I craved a good old-fashioned fight where I could walk away feeling superior and wronged. But she faced me with a calm expression, her hands open and upward in a plea.

“You are none of those things,” she said softly. “But I’m watching you slowly fall apart in front of me and I can’t take it. I know you were always closest to your father, and we’ve had our moments, but you’re my daughter. You and Allegra are my life. How can I make you understand how badly she needs you right now?”