"Melody, I'm sorry. I haven't thought about leaving Stellaris. At least, not yet."
"I understand your attachment to Stellaris, but there's something I have to say. Stellaris isn't what it used to be. It's not the company you've always wanted to protect. And there are even bigger changes coming. President Sterling has a legitimate Mrs. Sterling now. It's *their* Stellaris, not yours."
Rose Shaw felt a sharp pang in her heart.
'Not her Stellaris...'
'In truth, it never was.'
'It wasn't hers before, and it certainly won't be in the future.'
"Rose, will you start thinking about it? Please? Trust me, it's not a difficult decision."
"Alright, I promise. I'll think about it."
Melody smiled and nodded.
"I have to take care of something in the city. I'll be back first thing tomorrow morning." Rose Shaw stood and headed outside. Her car was parked nearby.
Melody noticed someone else was in the car.
"There's someone else in your car?"
"Felix Hughes is with me."
"You two..."
