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    Over the following few days, Iunch myself into my preparations to leave Ordan.


    Miles doesn''t speak during those days. Not a single word. It breaks my heart over every time I have to look at his


    ad over aest


    sad little face, and I feel like a horrible mother.


    But I know, someday, he''ll understand why I had to do this. I have to protect him from the onught of public attention he''ll get


    if his identity is discovered, most of which will be negative. I can''t bear to see him being followed and harassed in public, just as I


    have been, simply for being the product of a human and a wolf.


    And so I get to work preparing to leave.


    Thendy in Ordan is understanding, but puts her foot down when ites to our lease-breaking fees and security deposit. I


    have to pay a few hundred Ordan dors in fees, and my security deposit will never be seen again.


    Not that I can me her, of course. I did sign a year lease, and I''m backing out of it less than a month in. So I don''t argue when


    she regretfully tells me that she won''t be giving the deposit back.


    Unfortunately, however, that-in conjunction with having to send a first month''s rent and a new security deposit to my oldndlord in Ordan-puts me in more than a bit of a financial bind.


    Brian offers to buy our ne tickets back to Bo''Arrocan, but I refuse, feeling that it''s necessary to face the consequences of this decision myself. He isn''t pleased with that, but doesn''t stop me from purchasing the tickets once he realizes I''m not going to


    back down.


    I do manage to sell our new furniture, though, which is a bit of a relief. But I don''t get back everything I initially paid for it, and


    even when Brian and Liam stoutly refuse to take the money back on the furniture they purchased for me, it doesn''t feel like


    nearly enough to make ends meet.


    In a way, it feels like I''m starting all over again. But I keep telling myself that I''m making the right decision, that Miles'' future


    will be better for this.


    After settling the apartment matter, I contact Arthur''swyer and set up a meeting to cancel the contract. I''ll have to fly back to


    Ordan in a couple of months for the meeting, but I don''t think much of it. There isn''t anything stated in the contract that I''m not


    allowed to leave the country.


    The curator, Alice, however, doesn''t take it well at all.


    "You''re leaving?" she asks, her brown eyes widening. "But you just got here! And the patronage-"


    "I''m pulling out of the patronage," I exin. "I''m sorry, Alice, but I can''t put my son at risk. I hope you understand."


    Her face falls, but she nods. "I understand. But... Are you sure there''s nothing I can do to make you stay?"


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    My throat tightens. I have to hold my ground, no matter what. "I''m sorry, but I''ve made my decision already. I can''t stay here.


    Alice stares at the floor for a moment, looking crestfallen, but finally agrees to let me go. We exchange hugs and goodbyes, and I


    blink back tears as I leave the gallery for thest time.


    With that finished, I finally purchase my tickets back to Bo''Arrocan, pack Miles'' and my things, and bide my time until the day of


    the flightes.


    The dayes sooner than I anticipated. The following Tuesday, bright and early, I head to the airport with Brian, Liam, the


    twins, and the still-silent Miles in tow. He''s dragging his feet behind me, refusing to speak or hold anyone''s hand, his miniature


    dinosaur suitcase bumping across the airport tiles.


    Brian, Liam and I exchange sad nces as we make our way to the security line.


    "He''ll be okay," Liam whispers, giving my shoulder a squeeze. "Once you''re back in Bo''Arrocan, he''ll see all his old friends and forget all about this."


    I frown up at Liam, and there''s a moment in which we both realize how unlikely that is. Miles isn''t like most kids. He never


    and he rarely forgives. And this... Going nonverbal for a whole week straight is concerning.


    forgets,


    "Brian touches my arm. "I know you''re going to say it, but don''t you dare. You''re not a bad mother."


    "Hey."


    Still, as I look over at my heartbroken son, twiddling his feet and staring at the floor, I certainly feel like one.


    After that, Briam and Liam go through security with the twins, taking off their shoes and walking through the scanners without a


    hitch. This is it.