113

ADELINE

“No.”

It slips out before I can stop it. Loud. Sure. Final.

Even Katya startles a little, shoulders tensing.

She’s been facing the wall this whole time, like the sight of me is too much, but now she turns. Her face is flat, unreadable.

“Excuse me?”

“I said no.”

She blinks slowly. “You’re going to what, veto my life now?”

“I’m not letting you run. You’re not quitting the job you’ve wanted s