Aryyah returned to the rehabilitation facility two days later, leaving Grace with the nanny for this conversation because she sensed it needed to happen without the baby as a buffer between them.

Jackson was waiting in the common room, standing with his cane near the window, and when he saw her, his expression showed nervousness mixed with determination.

"Thank you for coming," Jackson said, gesturing to the chairs. "Can we talk?"

"That's why I'm here," Aryyah said, sitting down across from ...