Flashback ( PDFDrive )

FORTY-FOUR
GRADY AND EDALINE TRIED TO pretend that they hadn’t been
waiting for Sophie when she found them standing by the stairs after
she’d finally said good night to Fitz. Just like they tried to pretend that
they were simply making sure she didn’t need help when they stopped
by her room three times as she got ready for bed.
The fourth time Edaline came alone, and Sophie knew she was in
for it.
“Let me make this easy, okay?” Edaline said, leaning against the
door frame, either giving Sophie space or blocking her escape—it was
hard to tell. “I trust you, Sophie. So you don’t have to talk to me about
how scared you were for Silveny and her babies. Or about what
happened with Alvar at Everglen. Just like you don’t have to tell me
what you said to Tarina to convince her to help, or where you guys
went to get those transport pods. And we definitely don’t have to
discuss what’s going on with you and Fitz. But. I’m your mom, so I
have to at least make sure you know that if you need to talk about any
of it, you can. I won’t get upset. I’ll even try my best to not make it
embarrassing. And . . . you never know—I might be able to help. So . . .
offer’s on the table.”
“Thanks,” Sophie mumbled.
They stared at each other for a beat. Then Edaline nodded and
turned to go. But she’d only taken one step before she glanced over her