In the Fire's Shadow

2. The Ash Tree - Tom

I hadn't anticipated Adara's reaction, but that had been ignorance on my part. This was Adara, after all. Ever since I had met her, she had never been one to stick to the plan, or do what was easy. Maybe that's why I loved her. I didn't know anymore. I had given up trying to figure it out.

I cleared my throat. Adara showing them his picture wasn't a good idea. He looked so much like her, but there were a few traits he had inherited from me. It wasn't wise for anyone to stare too long at him.

Casum was still looking at Adara while Regina, annoyed with the dramatic turn of events, glanced at her watch. She was the one person who didn't need to catch the similarities. If she realized who I really was, she could make this a lot more difficult.

I stood up and squared my shoulders to help emphasize my height. At 6'3, it wasn't entirely necessary, but establishing my dominance never seemed to hurt the matter. Adara instantly relaxed herself and I saw the almost imperceptible shift in her stance from commanding to quiet.

Will we ever be free of the magnetic pull between us? You move, I move...

"If Mr. Casum is willing, I would like to table this for a short period." I spoke a little louder than necessary, but at this point I just needed to get out of here. Adara's scent permeated all around me and the memory of my son lost too soon was making it harder to breath.

Casum motioned for Regina, and after a few seconds of his whispered direction, she began shaking her head, vehemently.

"I would strongly advise..." she was whispering to him urgently, but he just ignored her.

"Adara..." He paused and for the first time since being in here, sat up straight in the chair. The smug look that had been all over his face was now replaced with a serious, contemplative one. My hands curled into fists at my side, instinctively. "Would you?" He motioned for her to sit and surprisingly she did. He looked up to me with a questionable look, so I sat as well.

"I apologize for my dismissive attitude during this mediation." He was looking at Adara, in what appeared to be a sincere expression. "I cannot pretend to know what it is like for a mother to lose her child, and I will not ever be able to repay to you the pain and suffering that you will no doubt carry forever."

I'd seen his play hundreds of times and this was no different. I had to remind myself that she had been married to him, so she would've been well acquainted with his game, too.

"What happened to Sam was-"

"Don't." Adara slapped her hand down on the table, effectively cutting him off. His face immediately turned contrite and he lifted his hands in a defensive manner. I looked over to Mr. Reynolds and the stenographer. Neither of them had been caught off guard once since we started, but Adara's reaction startled them both.

"Look..." He said after a few moments. Adara relaxed a bit and slid her hand back into her lap. She looked at me and lifted her eyebrow in an annoyed manner.

"Mr. Casum, is there something specific you are trying to say to my client?" I intentionally spoke louder than was necessary. He was watching her too closely; my skin crawled. She continued looking in my direction, pressing her lips into a hard line.

"I know this is only a small offer in comparison to what you've lost, but I would like to increase my offer to $9 million altogether and of course the Newport property."

Regina's eyes widened. I was a bit surprised myself. He must have actually felt some remorse over this. But it was too little, too late.

I looked over to Adara; her eyes were tightly shut. She turned in her chair and all I could see was her profile. Her cheeks began flushing bright red and it seemed like all the air in the room disappeared. The silent moment felt like years. It was beyond impossible to predict what reaction she would give.