M eased herself into the armchair, rubbing her lower back as she sat down. She couldn''t help but notice how much taller her son had grown again. Honestly, his hugs were getting stronger every time-a testament to being raised by a retired military man, she thought. There was no shortage of discipline or exercise in this household.


    But that was a good thing.


    Plenty of physical activity meant he''d stay healthy, and she wouldn''t have to worry about him being pushed aroundter in life.


    "Mom, you haven''t been here in ages!"


    Adrian wrenched his hand free from Carrol andtched onto M''s instead, his voice edged with reproach.


    "I''ve been busytely," M replied quietly, gently withdrawing her hand from his tight grip.


    She knew all too well that Adrian had only her now; his father was gone. She was supposed to be there for him, to care for him. But the truth was, she still felt a splinter lodged deep inside, and the past year had been swallowed up by work. She hadn''t spent nearly as much time with Adrian as she should have.


    Maybe it was also that Adrian looked more and more like his father each day, and M instinctively shied away, unable to face certain memories.


    People always say time heals.


    But some pain is carved into your very bones; letting go takes more than a year. For her, twelve months was hardly anything.


    From behind his desk, her grandfather watched it all without a word. He could see the struggle M was having, but simply shook his head. "You two haven''t seen each other in a while," he said atst. "No need to fuss in here-go on and y."


    He returned to his calligraphy as soon as he finished speaking.


    M blinked. “Grandpa, didn''t you call me in here for something?"


    But even as she asked, it dawned on her. Adrian stayed here with his great- grandfather, and M had never been close to the old man or his strict household rules. Every time she returned to the country, she''d try to avoid visiting. That''s probably why he''d used some excuse to have here by today.


    She thought she''d hidden her difort well, but years of experience had given her grandfather a knack for seeing straight through her.


    It was more than a little awkward.


    "Great-grandpa, remember what you promised-today''s my day off!" Adrian, blissfully unaware of any tension, piped up and tugged at M''s hand, eager to lead her out. "Come on, Mom, I have so much to show you!"


    "Wait a minute," M said, bracing herself against the doorframe. She leaned back into the study, her mind still turning over something she''d overheard when she arrived. She couldn''t just let it go. Since it was obvious they knew she''d heard, she decided toe right out and ask.


    "Sorry, but I heard you mentioning something about the border... and Lysander. What''s going on? Did something happen?"


    "You misheard," her grandfather said.


    Before he could say more, Carrol walked over and gently pried M''s fingers off the doorframe, shutting the door with a sharp thud. Only his words lingered in the now-empty air: "Best not to meddle in military affairs."


    What?


    M knew she wasn''t supposed to ask about military matters-but did she really mishear the name ''Lysander''? Was it not about him at all?


    "Mom, let''s go."


    Adrian''s grip tightened, catching her off guard and dragging her away toward his


    own room.


    ...


    "Mom, look!"


    As soon as they stepped into Adrian''s old-fashioned bedroom, he darted over to


    the measuring stick marked on the doorframe. "See? I''m taller again!"


    Four foot eleven.


    Not bad for an eight- or nine-year-old.


    M ruffled his hair, her expression softening. "Looks like someone''s been eating well and keeping up with their workouts."


    "Of course!" Adrian beamed, chin


    high. "Great-grandpa says I''m improving fast. Soon I''ll be taller than-" He broke off, ncing nervously at M. Her gentle smile hadn''t changed. "Mom, I didn''t mean-"


    "So how are your grades?" she cut in smoothly.


    "Top of the ss!" Adrian dered, instantly perking up. He lined up a pile of tests and report cards on his desk with pride. M wasn''t surprised-Adrian was bright. Even when he wasn''t interested in studying, his grades never slipped far. Over thest year, he seemed to have found his stride and shot ahead of the curve.


    Really, as long as Adrian wanted to learn, M had little to worry about. She smiled and praised him, and he basked in the attention.


    "Mom, I''ve been doing everything you and great-grandpa asked-eating right, growing tall, getting top marks. So when can I go overseas and live with you?"


    Adrian seized the moment.


    M sighed inwardly. When had she ever said that meeting these conditions would mean he could move abroad with her? Lately, it seemed everyone around her was obsessed with the idea of leaving the country. What was going on? But the truth was, moving Adrian wasn''t an option.


    "Adrian, you''re still young. When you finish high school, I promise I''ll help you apply to universities overseas. I give you my word."


    She refused to believe that, before Adrian turned eighteen, they wouldn''t have sorted out the issues with Cossio. They absolutely would.


    "But that''s ages away!" Adrian protested, clearly frustrated.


    Every time he brought up going


    abroad, his mother found some new


    excuse to put it off. He knew kids his age whose parents were already arranging immigration or sending them to foreign high schools, regardless of how young they were.


    His family was much wealthier than theirs.


    So why not him?


    He didn''t want to stay here and only see his mom for brief visits he wanted to be


    with her all the time.


    “Adrian, I just can''t make it happen right now. I promise, once you finish high school and your grades are good, I''ll make sure you study abroad."