Chapter 8
Lily tried to regain control with softness.
“Claire,” she said, voice weak from childbirth, “I hope you’re not upset I didn’t call sooner.”
Claire looked at her sister.
“I understand.”
Lily relaxed slightly.
That almost made Claire laugh.
I understand.
People hear forgiveness in those words when they want it badly enough.
But Claire meant something else.
I understand the plan.
I understand the timing.
I understand why Ethan is here.
I understand why tomorrow mattered.
Ethan moved toward the foot of the bed.
“Maybe you should go home and rest. Big day tomorrow.”
Claire smiled faintly.
“Yes. Big day.”
His eyes sharpened.
“Naomi reviewed the documents, right?”
There it was.
The question beneath everything.
Claire adjusted the bouquet slightly, keeping the phone angled.
“She’s reviewing them now.”
Ethan’s face changed.
Only a little.
Enough.
Lily saw it and looked away.
Claire filed away both reactions.
Ethan said, “I thought we agreed not to overcomplicate this.”
Claire’s voice stayed calm.
“Protection is only complicated to people trying to bypass it.”
The room went silent.
For one moment, the mask slipped from Ethan’s face.
Then he smiled.
Too late.
May you like
The recording had caught the silence too.
Read the full story 👉 Ethan tried to rush tomorrow’s signing, but Claire’s answer warned him that Naomi was already involved.
