It was still earlier than they usually woke, so he might not be out of bed yet. She found him sitting on the floor of his room playing with some of the carved toys Aelius had bought him.
He glanced up at her. “Morning.”
She entered the room and sat on his bed. Guilt and shame coiled inside her like a snake consuming her from within. She took a deep breath. “Max, I need to tell you something.”
“We ain’t out of cake, are we?”
“Aren’t.” She forced herself to say the next words. “I’m leaving.”
He set down a toy elephant. “You’re going on a trip? Can I come?”
“It’s not like that. I’m leaving this house, forever.”
His eyes narrowed. “Why?”
“Because…” Crispina bit her lip. “Aelius and I aren’t going to be married anymore.”
His forehead crinkled. “But you’re in love.” He grimaced in disgust.
Was it that obvious to everyone around them? Crispina herself had only figured it out last night. “I know.”
“My parents hated each other and they still were married,” Max said. “I didn’t think it was allowed to not be married anymore.”
“It’s called a divorce.” The word seemed to carry a dark cloud with it, settling over her in a noxious haze.
“Huh.” He nudged the toy elephant. “But why do you have to leave? Why don’t he leave?”
“Doesn’t.Because this is Aelius’s house. And Aelius has asked me to leave. That’s how it works.” She tried for a smile, but her mouth didn’t seem to remember how to move that way. “Aelius and Gaia will take excellent care of you. You’re happy here, aren’t you?”
He nodded slowly. “But…I like it whenyou’rehere.”
“I know.” She wished Rufus’s cronies had pummeled her into oblivion that day on the Aventine. That would have been less painful than this.
“W-will you come visit?” he asked in a small voice.
Crispina choked back a rush of tears. Her heart, already bruised and battered, splintered. She wanted to assure him that yes, of course, he could see her anytime he liked, but she knew that would be a lie. “I hope we’ll see each other again.” Her voice was hoarse and unsteady.
His mouth set in a stubborn, glum frown. With a sudden burst of fury, he grabbed his carved elephant and flung it across the room. It clattered against the wall. “It’s not fair!” he shouted.
“Max…” She reached for him, trying to fold him into her arms, but he shoved her away and ran from the room.
An hour later, it was done. Max was in the kitchen being comforted by Gaia, Cassandra, and a supply of sweets. Crispina hadn’t tried to go after him. She’d upset him enough already.
Her trunks sat in the vestibule by the front door. They would be sent over later. In the atrium, Crispina adjusted the drape of her palla. Taurus waited to escort her across the city. He eyed her with veiled curiosity. Crispina imagined the news, or at least some version of it, had filtered throughout the household by now. Everyone knew she had betrayed her husband.
“Crispina.” Gaia emerged into the atrium. Her face was drawn, eyes wide. “Please don’t do this.” She grasped Crispina’s hands desperately.
Crispina’s throat tightened. “Aelius wishes me gone. Didn’t he tell you what I did?”
“Yes, but I believe if you give it some time and talk, he will come around.”
“You are too optimistic, Gaia.” Crispina gently extricated her hands. “You know your son. He would do anything to win this election, and I’ve taken that from him. It’s over.”
Gaia gazed up at her. “All I want is for him to be happy. I never thought politics would make him happy. But he has found happiness with you. If he does lose this election, I hope he will realize there is more to life than ballot boxes and Forum speeches. He will need you.”
“Well, he knows where to find me.” She was looking at a long, lonely future as a twice divorced woman, forever ensconced in her parents’ house. At least this time, she had the memory of what it was like to be loved. “Forgive me, Gaia, but I must go.” She glanced around the atrium, wondering if Aelius would deign to see her off. He was probably in his study, the door just a few feet away.
“Tell Aelius I said goodbye,” she murmured. Then she walked out the front door. Taurus followed behind her.
