CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY SIX – ON SHAKY GROUND

One evening, as Jasmine was recounting a small victory she'd had with a difficult student, Gordon interrupted her. "Listen, Jas," he said, his expression serious. "There's something I need to tell you." Jasmine's heart sank, recognizing the tone in his voice. "What is it?" Gordon took a deep breath. "The case I've been working on... it's bigger than we thought. There's an international connection, and... well, I might need to go to Brazil for a few weeks. Maybe longer." Jasmine felt as if the air had been sucked out of the room. "Brazil? For how long exactly?" "I'm not sure," Gordon admitted. "Could be a month, could be more. It depends on how things develop." "And when were you planning on telling me this?" Jasmine asked, her voice rising. "When you were boarding the plane?" Gordon's jaw tightened. "I'm telling you now, aren't I? This isn't easy for me either, Jas. But it's my job. It's important." "And what about us?" Jasmine shot back. "Isn't that important too?" "Of course