Three days later, the black town car arrived at the studio.

The driver, a man Serena knew well, looked apologetic. "Mr. Sterling sent me for Leo."

Serena stood in the doorway, carefully hiding her swollen eyes. She wanted to say no. She wanted to lock the door. But she had no legal standing. Not yet.

She knelt down and zipped up Leo's coat. "Be good, okay? Take your inhaler if you feel tight."

Leo pouted. "I don't want to go."

"Just for dinner," Serena lied.

She watched the car drive away, her heart sinking.

The scene shifted to Victoria's penthouse on the Upper East Side. It was a kaleidoscope of pinks and golds, a sharp contrast to Julian's monochrome aesthetic.

Victoria opened the door. She was wearing a soft cashmere sweater and leggings, looking the picture of domestic bliss. Her ankle was wrapped in a bandage, propped up on a cushion when she sat down.

The living room was a toy store explosion.

There was a mountain of gifts. A limited edition PlayStation. A Lego castle that was taller than Leo. And in a basket, a Corgi puppy with a red bow around its neck.

Leo stopped in his tracks. His mouth fell open.

Julian stood by the window, watching. "Victoria bought these for you, Leo."

Victoria smiled. "I know we got off on the wrong foot, Leo. I just want you to be happy."

She picked up a VR headset. "Have you ever played with one of these?"

Leo shook his head. "Mommy says screens are bad for my eyes."

Victoria laughed. "Oh, sweetie. Mommy is old-fashioned. Here, you can play as much as you want. And look..."

She held out a giant swirl lollipop.

Leo hesitated. "Mommy says sugar makes my teeth rot."

Victoria winked. "I'm a cool mom. One candy won't hurt."

Leo looked at Julian. Julian nodded. "It's fine, Leo."

Leo took the candy. He took the VR headset. The dopamine hit was instant.

Julian took a photo of Leo laughing with the headset on, the puppy licking his hand. He sent it to Serena.

See? He is adjusting fine. Your rules were too strict.

Serena sat in the dark studio, staring at the photo. Leo looked happy. Happier than he looked with her, eating broccoli and doing homework.

When Leo came back that night, he was wired on sugar. He was holding the VR headset.

"Time for bed, Leo," Serena said, trying to take the headset.

"No!" Leo yanked it back. "Victoria said I can play until 10!"

"It's a school night," Serena said firmly.

Leo stomped his foot. "You are mean! Victoria is nice! She gives me presents!"

Serena felt a crack in her heart. "Leo, I give you love. That's more important."

Leo glared at her. "You are just the nanny! Victoria said so! She said you only take care of me because Dad pays you!"

The silence in the room was deafening.

Serena felt like she had been slapped.

"Is that what you think?" she whispered.

Leo looked defiant, but his lip trembled. "It's true! You aren't my real mom!"

He ran into the bedroom and slammed the door.

Serena stood alone in the studio. The smell of varnish was suddenly overwhelming.

They were buying him. They were rewriting history with toys and sugar, and she couldn't compete. She didn't have millions of dollars. She only had rules and vegetables and bedtime stories.

She touched her stomach.

If this baby is born, will they take it too? Will they turn it against me?

Serena didn't sleep that night. She spent the hours staring at the ceiling, listening to the rats scuttling in the walls of the warehouse.

Her phone rang at 7 AM. It was a collect call.

New York State Department of Corrections.

Serena accepted the charge.

"Mom?"

"Serena..." Eleanor's voice was thin, rasping. The cough was worse.

"How are you?" Serena asked, gripping the phone.

"The infirmary is... cold." Eleanor coughed. "The hearing is next month."

"I know. I'm preparing everything."

"I need... money, Serena. For the commissary. For... protection. There are women here who know who your father was. They make it hard."

Serena closed her eyes. Her father's Ponzi scheme had ruined thousands of lives. Even in prison, the hatred followed her mother.

"I'll send it," Serena said. "Don't worry."

She hung up and checked her bank account. The balance was pathetic. Most of her salary went to the lawyers. If she left Julian, she would have nothing.

She looked at the Ming vase. She had finished gluing the final piece at 4 AM. It was flawless. The collector was coming at noon.

He arrived on time. He inspected the work with a magnifying glass. He handed her a thick envelope of cash. It wasn't enough to save her mother, but it was a start.

Just then, her other phone rang. Julian's executive assistant.

"Ms. Vance, Mr. Sterling requires your presence at the gala tonight. The French investors are in town."

Serena laughed. It was a bitter sound. "I'm not his wife tonight. I'm off the clock. Send Victoria."

The assistant stammered. "Victoria... she doesn't speak French. And she doesn't understand the merger details. Mr. Sterling insists."

Serena looked at the cash on the table. She needed more. She needed a war chest.

"Tell him I'll do it. But I charge a consulting fee. Twenty thousand dollars. Cash."

There was a long silence. "I... I will ask."

Five minutes later, Julian called.

"Are you insane? You want to charge me to attend a dinner?"

"I'm an employee, Julian. Overtime is standard. If you want a translator and a hostess, pay for it. Or take your mute fiancée."

Julian let out a frustrated growl. "Fine. Just be there and look presentable."

Serena hung up.

She went to her closet in the studio. She pulled out an Empire-waist gown. It was deep blue silk, loose around the stomach but elegant.

She did her makeup. Sharp eyeliner. No red lipstick this time. Just cold, professional nude.

At the gala, she was perfect. She charmed the French CEO in flawless Parisian French. She discussed market trends. She laughed at their jokes.

She ignored Julian completely.

Julian watched her from across the table. He was used to Serena the shadow. This Serena was luminous. She was powerful.

For the first time in years, he looked at her with something other than indifference. He looked at her with hunger.

He tried to touch her arm after the dessert. "Serena, you were excellent."

Serena pulled away. "That's three hours. Twenty thousand dollars. Give me the envelope."

He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the envelope his assistant had prepared. He placed it in her hand.

Serena didn't say thank you. She put the cash in her clutch and walked out.