Chapter 9
Naomi’s voice came softly through Claire’s hidden phone, low enough that only Claire could hear when she leaned near the bouquet.
“Primary transfers are frozen. Keep them talking.”
Claire did not react.
Inside, something steadied.
Not joy.
Not relief.
A door closing behind her.
Ethan stepped closer.
“Claire, are you all right?”
She looked at him.
“I’m thinking.”
“That worries me.”
“It should.”
Lily’s eyes widened.
Claire turned back toward the newborn.
“She’s beautiful.”
Lily blinked.
“She?”
“The baby.”
“Oh.”
That single frightened pause told Claire there were more secrets in the room than money.
She did not ask.
Not now.
No paternity evidence was revealed.
No custody future decided.
No divorce announced.
No criminal consequence unfolded under the hospital lights.
Only the recording continued.
Only the transfer freeze began.
Only Ethan and Lily stood inside their own uncertainty.
Claire took one step back toward the door.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Ethan reached for her arm.
She looked down at his hand before it touched her.
He stopped.
Good.
May you like
He was learning fear.
Read the full story 👉 Claire heard Naomi confirm the freeze, but she did not reveal what else she suspected inside Room 614.
