Matthew took the backpack, his eyes lingering on her face for a few seconds, something mysetrious and unreadable flickering in his gaze.


    "Thanks. Really."


    Reese didn''t notice anything off. She waved him away. "Go get some sleep. Kids shouldn''t be up thiste."


    Upstairs, Annie tugged on Matthew''s sleeve, tilting her face up at him. "Daddy, you looked at Auntie so weird just now."


    "Did you have a fight?"


    Matthew blinked, snapped back to himself, and patted the top of Annie''s head, hiding whatever he''d been feeling. "No, it''s nothing. Let''s go home."


    Reese headed back to theb. The second she turned on herputer, a warning popped up on the screen.


    Someone had hacked in.


    Her eyes narrowed. She started typing fast, tracking the breach, but whoever it was covered their tracks too well. Nothing useful left behind.


    She frowned and shot Matthew a message. Labputer was hacked. Couldn''t trace it. I''ve encrypted everything.


    Even after hitting send, she just stared at the screen, feeling uneasy.


    The next morning was Saturday and barely light outside when Matthew showed up, carrying a half-asleep Annie.


    Annie was in pink pajamas with little teddy bears, eyes barely open as she rested her head against Matthew''s shoulder.


    "You should go home and rest," Reese told him. "I''ll handle the hack."


    Matthew looked at his daughter-soft, sleepy, breathing slow.


    "You''re here so early. She''s still half-asleep," Reese said softly, brushing Annie''s cheek. "If you''re okay with it, I can take her to my apartment so she can sleep in. It''s the weekend, no one''s in the office, and you don''t have to worry about her."


    He hesitated, then nodded. "Thanks. I appreciate it."


    Reese carried Annie out of ckOak, drove home, and got off the elevator-only to find Sebastian standing at her door like a statue, his expression absolutely cold.


    Robbie was next to him, clearly annoyed, scuffing his sneakers on the floor.


    Robbie spotted Annie in Reese''s arms and immediatelyunched into aint. "Mom, where did you go this morning? I''ve been waiting forever I''m starving Make me breakfast, okay? want toasts and”


    "Robbie," Sebastian cut in quietly, his voice sharp with warning. "What did we agree at home?"


    Robbie pouted, eyes down, kicking the floor. "Sorry, Mom. I shouldn''t have kicked you before. And I shouldn''t have tried to get closete Aunt Reese just to make you upset:"


    "I just... I just wanted you to notice me..."


    Reese nced at him, still holding Annie. Her expression didn''t change.


    She knew Robbie wasn''t acting out to get her attention; he just copied whoever Sebastian liked.


    She only gave a soft, nomittal "Mm," and didn''t say anything else as she unlocked the door.


    "Wait."


    Sebastian stepped in front of her.


    "I''ve got things to do today. Can you


    watch Robbie for me? booked a


    form


    table at Maple Street Diner this


    afternoon. I''ll pick you both upter."


    Reese almostughed. “The Ratcliffs have a house full of staff, and you still need me to babysit?"


    "You know my dad''s not well. My mom can''t handle it by herself," Sebastian said, looking ufortable. "You haven''t seen Robbie in a long time."


    Reese nced at Robbie. The kid was sulking, clearly didn''t want to be there. "Take him with you," she said.


    Sebastian stared at her for a moment. "Just one day. Watch him today, and I''ll bring you the ne tonight."


    Reese paused, looking up at him. His face showed nothing.


    The little girl in her arms stirred, mumbling in her sleep.


    "Come in," Reese finally said, pushing the door open.