"Define 'oddly.'"
"I might have tensed up and asked how thorough they were.Then changed the subject really fast."
Viktoria closes her eyes briefly."Subtle."
"I panicked!I'm not a professional spy like you."
"I'm a cybersecurity consultant, not a spy."
"You literally just hacked my boss's email!"
"Accessed it.And keep your voice down."
I take a deep breath."Sorry.I'm just...scared."
Her expression softens."I know.That's why I'm telling you this now, before anything happens.So we can prepare."
"Prepare how?Should I just confess everything to Callum?Get ahead of it?"
"Absolutely not," Viktoria says firmly."Never volunteer information that might incriminate you."
"That sounds like something a spy would say."
"It's what a protective older sister would say."She fixes me with her serious gaze."We need more time to strengthen your digital footprint before anyone starts asking questions."
I nod, trying to ignore the anxious flutter in my chest."What about Richard?What if he says something to Callum?"
"Richard is a self-serving opportunist.If he had concrete proof, he'd have used it already.My guess is he suspects something but doesn't know for sure."
"Great.One more thing to worry about."
"Speaking of things to worry about," Viktoria segues, "Charlie's father wants to take her to London for the rest of the summer."
The abrupt subject change throws me."What?When did this happen?"
"He called last night.Apparently, his new wife has family there."Viktoria's voice remains even, but I can see the tension in her shoulders."He says it would be 'educational.'"
"And you don't want her to go?"
"I don't want to be away from my daughter for six weeks.But I also don't want to be the parent who keeps her from opportunities."She sighs."Co-parenting is a special kind of hell."
I reach over to squeeze her hand."What does Charlie want?"
"That's the problem.She says she wants to go, but then she cried herself to sleep last night.When I asked why, she said she's worried I'll be lonely without her."
My heart twists."She's got the Peters women caretaking gene."
"Petrosian," Viktoria corrects automatically."And yes, she does.Too much like her aunt Karina for her own good."
Despite the circumstances, I smile."I'm choosing to take that as a compliment."
"It wasn't meant as one.I don't want her sacrificing her happiness for others at twelve."
"Like we did?"
"Exactly like we did."
We fall silent, the weight of shared history settling between us.
