Clara’s jaw tightened.
“Did you tell Lily my life would have been easier without her?”
Silence.
Then:
“I said you wouldn’t struggle so much if you had fewer responsibilities.”
“She is ten.”
“She needs to understand reality.”
“No.”
Clara’s voice became cold.
“She needs to understand that adults are responsible for their own choices.”
Patricia scoffed.
“You married Arthur for security.”
“Maybe security mattered.”
That answer surprised Patricia.
Clara continued.
“But that does not make Lily responsible for my marriage.”
“You’re twisting my words.”
“No.”
Clara hung up.
For years, she had wasted energy making cruel people admit cruelty.
She was finished.
PART 8
Mark appeared three days later.
Arthur opened the door.
“Can I help you?”
“I’m here for Clara.”
Arthur turned.
“Clara?”
The choice remained hers.
That mattered.
She walked into the foyer.
“What do you want?”
Mark looked around.
Beautiful woodwork.
Tall ceilings.
Christmas decorations still hanging.
His face tightened.
“So this is the upgrade.”
Clara stared.
“You have four minutes.”
“I want to see Lily.”
“You haven’t used regular visitation in years.”
“I’m trying now.”
“Why now?”
“Because she’s my daughter.”
“That’s not an answer.”
Mark glanced toward Arthur.
Then back.
“I heard things changed.”
“Financially?”
Mark’s expression answered.
Clara laughed quietly.
“You think Lily is going to inherit Arthur’s money.”
“That’s disgusting.”
“Is it inaccurate?”
Mark’s silence lasted too long.
Arthur finally spoke.
“Lily is not automatically entitled to anything from me.”
Mark turned.
“And I do not discuss estate planning with strangers.”
“I’m her father.”
Arthur nodded.
“Biologically.”
The room became still.
Arthur continued calmly.
“I have never tried to replace you.”
Mark’s face hardened.
“But you did leave quite a few empty chairs.”
Clara almost told Arthur to stop.
Then didn’t.
PART 9
Lily later asked whether Mark had come.
Clara told the truth.
“Did he ask about me?”
“Yes.”
“First?”
