Marla confided to Kayla as she stood on the penthouse lanai. The morning sun beamed through flimsy rain clouds and a colorful arch appeared over the headway. Marla watched the rainbow form. Last night, when Carson had said he wanted to build the art center at Royal Oaks, she had known there was no turning back. No reconsiderations. The inevitable was coming, and she had to be prepared. “Everything will be fine.” Kayla, always the best friend, reassured her. “Dad said you don’t have anything to worry about. There is no judge who is going to take away your rights as her mother or Ben’s as her father. He’ll explain everything when you meet with him Monday.” “Okay.” Marla wished she felt more reassured, but there was no peace inside her heart. “It’s just that, um, I’m so nervous about this. I don’t know. It’s going to be so hard.” “I don’t think this is all about Sophie, is it?” Marla let out a painful breath. “It’s just that bringing Carson into Sophie’s life will bring him into my life forever.”
