“Auntie,” Vanessa repeated with a flutter of her lashes, her tone slipping into the perfect point between gentle concern and barely disguised flattery.

“I didn’t want to take too much of your time, but I… Well, I had a few things I needed to discuss. Delicate things.”

Eliana didn’t roll her eyes, but it was a battle. Her expression remained pleasant, though it was tight enough to cut glass.

Vanessa pressed her knees together and leaned in just slightly, tilting her head like a ...