Chapter 2 - Noah Already Knew Someone Wanted Claire Gone
Claire drove to her sister Rebecca’s house.
No luggage.
No toothbrush.
No plan beyond getting Noah away from Daniel for the night.
Her hands shook against the steering wheel.
Noah sat silently in the back seat.
When they reached Rebecca’s driveway, Claire turned around.
“You okay?”
Noah nodded automatically.
Claire knew that answer.
It meant no.
She climbed into the back seat with him.
His eyes were red.
“Did Daddy hurt you?”
“I’m okay.”
“Your face is red.”
“I know.”
Noah lowered his eyes.
Then whispered:
“Is this the day?”
Claire frowned.
“What day?”
“The day you go away.”
Her stomach dropped.
“Noah, what are you talking about?”
He picked at the sleeve of his gray shirt.
“Grandma said after dinner maybe you wouldn’t live with us anymore.”
Claire stopped breathing.
“When did she say that?”
“Yesterday.”
“Where?”
“In the car.”
“What exactly did Grandma tell you?”
Noah thought carefully.
“She said grown-ups were going to see what you were really like.”
Claire felt cold.
“What does that mean?”
“I don’t know.”
“Did Dad say anything?”
Noah nodded.
“He told Grandma not to talk about it in front of me.”
That was not reassuring.
It was worse.
Claire pulled Noah against her.
“Listen to me. You are not losing me.”
“Even if Daddy says?”
“Even if Daddy says.”
“Even if Grandma says you’re bad?”
Claire closed her eyes.
“Yes.”
Noah leaned into her.
Then came the question that made the entire dinner look different.
“Were those people there to decide?”
“Decide what?”
“If you can still be my mom.”
Claire stared at him.
A formal dinner.
Daniel unusually tense.
Margaret deliberately provocative.
Guests watching.
And a six-year-old who had already been told his mother might disappear afterward.
May you like
Claire realized she had been walking into something long before Daniel raised his hand.
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