Claire’s Fear
Chapter 10 - Claire’s Fear
Everything seemed to be improving.
That frightened Claire.
She had survived nine years by expecting disappointment.
Adrian’s consistency threatened the defenses she understood.
When he offered to take the boys for an entire weekend, Claire hesitated.
“They’ve never slept at your house.”
“I know.”
“What if Eli wakes up?”
“I’ll be there.”
“What if Noah gets anxious?”
“I’ll be there.”
The answer irritated her because it was exactly right.
Finally she agreed.
The house felt unbearable without them.
Claire wandered into their empty room twice.
Then Adrian sent a photograph.
The twins were asleep inside a blanket fort in his living room.
He had apparently been assigned the floor.
Claire laughed.
The following afternoon, Noah called.
“Mom, can we stay another night?”
Claire’s heart hurt.
Not because they preferred Adrian.
Because they were beginning to need him.
That meant she could no longer control how much losing him might hurt them.
When Adrian returned the boys Monday morning, he noticed her expression.
“You okay?”
Claire nodded.
He did not believe her.
“You think I’m going to disappear.”
She looked away.
Adrian’s voice softened.
“I can’t undo what happened.”
“No.”
“But don’t punish yourself by preparing for me to repeat something I never chose.”
Claire looked at him.
May you like
For the first time, she admitted the truth.
“I’m trying.”
