“I don’t hate you,” she added. “Hate takes energy. And I’d rather spend mine raising my son to become a good man.”
FIVE YEARS LATER
Autumn leaves colored the park in shades of gold and red.
A little boy with dark hair ran across the grass, laughing as he chased a kite.
“Mom! Look! It’s flying!”
Eleanor smiled from a nearby bench as she closed a folder containing plans for a new sustainable housing project funded by Vance Industries.
Beside her sat Magnus, older now but still sharp, sharing cookies with his great-grandson.
In the distance, a maintenance worker swept fallen leaves from the path.
His cap hid his face.
But it was a face once famous on magazine covers.
Julian paused briefly, watching the family.
The elegant woman.
