“Mommy? Why are you crying?” Gracie tugged on Silver’s hand.

Silver smiled through her tears. “Mommy’s okay, sweetie. Just a little tired.”

“Let’s go to Ace’s house. You rest. I watch TV with Ace.”

Silver wanted to weep, but she had to pull herself together and be strong for Gracie. Leaving Ace was one of the hardest things Silver had ever done, but she didn’t see any other option. Even now, she longed for him body and soul. She’d packed up everything in the dead of the night while Gracie was sleeping. At the crack of dawn, when she knew Ace would be preoccupied with his workout, she and Gracie had slipped out. Silver could only imagine how confused Ace must be and how devastated he was when he got her note. She’d written a dozen different ones, trying to explain the situation, but mere words couldn’t suffice. So, in the end, she’d kept it simple and to-the-point. She knew if she went to her house, Ace would follow her and talk her into going back with him. But she couldn’t do that and run the risk of losing Gracie. Dinah wouldn’t stop until she destroyed everything, including Ace and his family. Silver was sure Dinah was somehow behind the lawsuit.

Her phone buzzed … again. Ace had been calling and texting repeatedly since she left. At first his messages had an angry tone as he demanded to know why she left so suddenly and where she was. But his most recent messages had been more pleading. “I just want to know where you are and make sure you’re okay,” he’d said.

She thought about texting him to let him know she was okay, but didn’t want to open up a conversation with him. It was better this way. Ace would eventually forget about her and move on.

It was two days until Bruce’s birthday party where Silver was supposed to make her big announcement. Dinah was all about making a big show. This was so her—force Silver to make a public announcement to keep up appearances. The very thought of remarrying Riley turned Silver’s insides green, but what else could she do? Maybe take Gracie and disappear? Then they would be runaways with no way to make a living. And Dinah would use all her resources to hunt them down like dogs and take Gracie away from her. A fierce headache pelted through her head as she rifled through her purse and pulled out a bottle of ibuprofen. She opened it and chugged down two capsules with a swig of bottled water.

Gracie clutched her stomach. “I’m hungry.”

That’s right. It was dinnertime. Silver had lost all concept of time. And she certainly wasn’t hungry. “Let’s order some cheese pizza, and we’ll watch a Disney movie on my computer. How does that sound?”

Gracie shrugged. “Okay.” Her brows furrowed, her lips turning down into a deep frown.

Silver touched her arm. “What’s wrong?”

“Ace … the restaurant.” She thrust out her lower lip, which began to tremble.

Silver couldn’t stop tears from escaping the corners of her eyes and sliding down her cheeks. “I miss him too.”

“Let’s go see him, Mommy. Show him my new workbooks.”

Knowing Gracie would need something to keep her busy while they were at the hotel, Silver took her to the store and purchased a couple of workbooks, saying Gracie could do those to get ready for school. Silver had to fight to keep her voice from trembling. “I’m sure Ace would love that, but we need to stay here tonight.”

Tears pooled in Gracie’s eyes.

“Hey,” Silver said tenderly. “Everything’s going to be okay.” Maybe if she kept repeating that mantra long enough it would eventually be true.

“You’re sad.”

Silver laughed through her own tears. “Yes, I have been a little sad, but I’ll get better.” She put her arms around Gracie and pulled her close, rubbing her back. A couple of seconds later, Gracie pulled away. Silver pushed Gracie’s hair from her face and smoothed it down. “Hey, guess what?”

“What?” Gracie said, studying her.

“On Saturday, we’re going to Nana and Papa’s house for Papa’s birthday party.”

“Really?” Gracie instantly pepped up. “I want birthday cake and fried ice cream.”

“I don’t know about fried ice cream,” Silver said, her heart twisting, “but you can have regular ice cream.”

“What time?”

“Six o’clock.” Gracie didn’t have a concept of time, per se, but the workbooks had a section on clocks. It stuck in her mind, and she kept asking Silver what time everything would take place.

“O—kay,” she said, sighing loudly as her shoulders drooped.

Silver’s phone buzzed. She thought it might be Ace again, but it was a text from Ariana.

I’m not sure what happened between you and my brother, but my mom collapsed. She’s in the hospital, asking to see you. Please come. She’s at Harris Methodist Hospital in room 202.

Silver’s mind whirled. Her first reaction was concern for Fabiana’s health, then came the splitting anger. If Dinah was behind this, she had a lot to answer for. It took her two seconds to reach a decision as she texted back.

On my way.

* * *

Seeing his feisty mother in such a ragged condition jolted Ace to the quick. Her skin was pale, the lines on her face more prominent. It was scary how much the impending lawsuit and negative publicity had affected his parents. For the first time, it hit Ace that his parents were getting old and wouldn’t be around forever. Fabiana was lying in a hospital bed with Raúl beside her, holding her hand. The doctors were keeping her for a couple of days to run tests.

A nurse had come in earlier and expressed concern over the barrage of reporters camped outside the hospital like hungry wolves trying to get a hunk of fresh meat. The hospital was forced to call in extra security guards to manage the reporters. It was ridiculous how the media jumped on every little thing, blowing it way out of proportion. The whole situation turned Ace’s stomach sour. Ace rushed to the hospital as soon as he got the call from his dad, and Ariana arrived shortly thereafter. Ace’s younger brothers were staying with cousins.

Ace paced back and forth, his thoughts vacillating between worry over his mom and concern for Silver. Where was she? Why had she just walked out of his life? No warning. Nothing. Then again, looking back, he realized she’d been trying to tell him the night before.

“Stop it! You’re making me nervous,” Fabiana said, rolling her eyes. “You’ll wear out the floor at this rate,” she muttered.

Ace halted in his tracks, his mother’s command bringing him out of his thoughts. “Sorry,” he said sheepishly.

“Come and sit down,” Ariana said, patting the chair beside her.

Reluctantly, he shuffled over and slumped down.

Ariana gave him a sly look, linking her fingers, her palms facing out, as she stretched her arms, her knuckles cracking. “So, any news from Silver?”

Ace scrunched his brows, eyes narrowing. “You know I haven’t heard anything.” After he’d gone searching for Silver and was unable to find her, he’d called Ariana and poured out his heart. “Why do you ask?”

She shrugged. “No reason, in particular. I was just wondering.”

He shot her a suspicious look. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing.” Geez. “Don’t be so sensitive, I was just asking, okay?”

Raúl shot them a warning look. “Your mother doesn’t need the stress of you arguing.”

“I’m not so fragile that I’ll break from the slightest word,” Fabiana countered, eyes sparking.

Raúl brushed a hand across her hair. “I know, babe,” he cooed. “But you need to rest, without a lot of commotion.”

Fabiana looked at Ace, concern etching her features. “Is everything okay with Silver.”

“Everything’s fine,” he said evenly. Blast Ariana for bringing it up and worrying their mother!

“Is she coming to the hospital?” Fabiana asked. “I’d love to see her.”

“No, I don’t think she’s going to be able to make it,” Ace said stiffly, casting a dark look in Ariana’s direction.

“That’s too bad. I’d love to see her … and Gracie.” A blissful smile curved Fabiana’s lips. “I love that little girl. She’s beautiful like her mother.” Fabiana looked at Ace. “You need to hold onto Silver, she’s a keeper.”

He nodded, a bleak despair settling over him. He’d wait until his mother recovered to break the bad news.

Ariana suddenly stood. “Silver,” she chirped brightly. “I’m so glad you came … and brought Gracie with you.”

Ace stumbled to his feet. “Silver,” he gasped. “What’re you doing here?”

Silver’s features tightened, her mouth vanishing into a thin line. “I came to check on Fabiana.”

It took all the self-control Ace could muster not to rush over to her, throw his arms around her, and kiss her. After that, he’d demand an explanation for how she’d acted. A shot of adrenaline raced through him as he wrapped his mind around what was happening. Silver was here. That was a start.

Silver flashed an apologetic smile. “I didn’t have anyone to keep Gracie, so I had to bring her with me. The nurses weren’t happy about it, but I assured them we wouldn’t stay long.”

Fabiana held out her arms. “I’m so glad you brought my beautiful girl to visit. Come here.”

Gracie bounded into her arms as Fabiana gave her a kiss on each cheek, followed by a tight hug. “Are you sick?” Gracie asked, wrinkling her nose.

“Just a little tired, honey,” Fabiana said. She looked at Silver. “This is a nice surprise. I’m so glad you came.”

Silver frowned. “But I thought you were asking to see me. Ariana texted and said something to that effect.”

The dots connected, and Ace realized why Ariana was acting strange. He’d not even thought about telling Silver that his mother was in the hospital. He’d been too overwhelmed to think of hardly anything. He wanted to throw his arms around his meddling sister and give her a big kiss.

Ariana sprang into action, a nervous laugh gulping out. “Mom, you’ve been asking about Silver since you’ve been here.”

“I was asking about you,” Fabiana said, “wondering why you weren’t here. From the way Ariana and Ace were carrying on, I was afraid you and Ace had a falling out.”

Silver’s face drained.

“Oh, no,” Fabiana said, her hands going to her mouth. “You did. I’m so sorry.”

Silver drew herself up, a resolute expression tightening her features. “It’s okay.”

No, it’s not okay, Ace wanted to shout.

Fabiana motioned. “Come over here, and give me a hug.”

Silver walked over and hugged Fabiana.

Fabiana looked past Silver. “Ariana, would you and Ace take Gracie to the nurses’ station, and see if they can find her some snacks? I’d like to have a talk with Silver … alone.”

Ace didn’t want to go anywhere, he wanted to stay right here and demand some answers.

“Go,” Fabiana ordered, making a shooing motion with her hand. The look in her eye reminded him that sick or not, she was still his mother and expected him to follow orders.

“Fine,” he said, feeling like he was a kid again, banished to his room.

When he got near Gracie, she flung her arms around him, giving him a fierce hug. “I’ve missed you so much, Ace.”

Surprised, he hugged her back. “I’ve missed you too.”

He caught the tortured look in Silver’s eyes. She was trying hard to hold it together, but looked like she might break into tears any minute. What in the heck had happened to her? It had to be related to Riley and Dinah. Had they threatened her? If so, why hadn’t she told him? He’d promised her they’d band together and field the opposition. Did she not believe he was good for his word?

Gracie took his hand. “I’m tired of the hotel.”

Ace looked at Silver. “You’ve been staying in a hotel?”

She nodded.

“But why?”

She only shook her head and looked away.

“I have workbooks … for school,” Gracie said. “And Saturday at six o’clock is Papa’s birthday party.” She thrust out her lower lip in a pout. “They have ice cream, but not fried.”

Ace felt like he’d been slapped. “Is she talking about Riley’s father? You’re going to Dinah’s house for a birthday party?”

Silver folded her arms across her chest, giving him a hard look. “Now’s not the time to discuss this.”

A harsh laugh escaped his throat. “Oh, really? Well, maybe I would’ve discussed it earlier, if you hadn’t up and disappeared.”

Gracie’s head shot up as she looked wide-eyed at him. Ace offered a reassuring smile. “I’m okay.”

“Go take Gracie to get a snack.” Fabiana turned to Raúl. “You too. I wanna talk to Silver … alone. Go, on. All of you,” she said when they just stood there, looking at her. She looked at Silver. “Pull up that chair and have a seat.”