Chapter 6 - My Mother’s Opinion
Claire packed one designer suitcase and then refused to leave until the next morning because, according to her, I was “behaving irrationally.”
I wanted her out that second.
Emma wanted me in her room.
That decided it.
I spent the evening on the floor beside my daughter’s bed while she traced circles over the ear of her stuffed rabbit and asked questions no seven-year-old should ever have to ask.
“Is Claire going to come back?”
“Not if I can help it.”
“Are you mad at me?”
I sat up so fast my back hit the wall. “Emma. No. Never. None of this is your fault.”
Her lower lip trembled. “She said everything got bad because you loved me too much.”
I had to stop for a second because my throat closed.
“Listen to me,” I said. “There is no such thing as loving you too much.”
She studied my face like she was checking for lies.
My mother, Diane, arrived the next morning before nine, called by Claire sometime during the night.
I should have known.
Diane swept into my kitchen in white linen and expensive perfume, saw Claire’s suitcase by the island, and let out a dramatic sigh.
“So it’s true,” she said. “You’re blowing up your engagement over a child tantrum.”
I laughed because if I didn’t, I might have broken something.
“Emma was locked in a playhouse.”
Diane turned to Claire. “Is that what this is about?”
Claire’s eyes filled instantly. “I made a mistake. I was overwhelmed.”
I wanted to throw something.
“A mistake?” I said. “She locked her in there and deleted the footage.”
Diane’s gaze slid to me with open impatience. “Ethan, children say dramatic things. You of all people know Emma hasn’t been stable since Melissa died.”
Emma had come halfway down the stairs.
She heard that.
I watched the hurt hit her face.
“Mom,” I said quietly, “leave.”
Diane blinked. “Excuse me?”
“Get out.”
Claire gasped. “Ethan—”
“Both of you.”
Diane squared her shoulders. “If you end this engagement because a grieving little girl doesn’t want another woman in the house, you are making the worst decision of your life.”
Emma took one more step down the stairs and spoke in a tiny voice.
“Grandma… if Claire marries Daddy, do I still get to live here?”
May you like
Nobody had an answer fast enough.
That was answer enough.
