LYRA

" This has to be a trap," Vincent said as I stared at Vanessa's message.

She wanted to hold a family meeting and was inviting me to come. She was trying to use our lifelong friendship to force me into a corner, to make me look like the petty ex-wife who refused peace.

My thumb hovered over the screen, but I didn’t reply. “She’s desperate,” I murmured. “Too desperate. That means she’s planning something.”

Vincent leaned closer, his shoulder brushing mine. The quiet ...