“Just that I’ve also hired someone to investigate these claims. It’ll probably be a couple of weeks before we can get better information. In the meantime, don’t you worry. I’ll make this go away—one way or another. Even if we just have to pay them off to get rid of them, but hopefully it won’t come to that.”

“Thanks, Hank, appreciate it.” She glanced back again at Gabriel and Lily, laughing together in the room. Barely an hour into their family reunion and already she’d abandoned them for work again. What must he think of her? “I need to go. Talk soon.”

She walked back into the hotel suite and set her phone down on the dresser. Lily pulled at her dress as she passed by, the bright pink color catching her eye. Kim sat down beside them on the bed and went to cuddle her daughter.

“Hey, honey.”

But Lily just ignored her. She was too preoccupied with her dad. Kim felt familiar rejection fill her chest, but she did her best to push it aside.

She could feel Gabriel’s eyes upon her as she rose from where she’d been perched. She walked toward the bathroom and closed the door behind her.

Why couldn’t she do this? Just be a proper mom. Why did it all feel so...unnatural to her? She could feel the usual sadness rise up and she couldn’t stop it.

Everything seemed to be falling apart just now. Just when it all should be coming together.

Tears glistened in her eyes and she shook her head to dismiss them, leaning against the sink vanity. She remained there for a couple of minutes before Gabriel’s voice called gently from the other side of the door.

“Honey, are you OK?”

“Sure!” Kim replied quickly and cleared her throat. “Just coming.” She flushed the toilet for effect and then moved back to the sink to splash some water on her face. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, and a tired, haggard face looked back.

Room service arrived soon after, and both Lily and Gabriel ate hungrily, though Kim barely touched hers.

When the meal tray was removed, they set about getting Lily ready for bed in the adjoining bedroom. She was fussy and difficult when Kim tried to change her into her pajamas, so Gabriel smoothly took over, telling his wife to head back out to the living area and fix them a drink.

A few minutes later, once Lily was settled, he joined her on the terrace, where Kim again found herself standing by the rails looking out over the water. It was so easy to get lost in the dark depths and forget her troubles for a moment.

Just for a moment.