Denise was the first to react, as always putting on an act. She denied everything, accusing Claire of snooping, of making it all up. Claire didn’t respond. She simply pulled a folder from her bag containing the screenshots, the lawyer’s letter, and the highlighted statements. Mark stood up abruptly, talking about disrespect and betrayal. Claire, her hands trembling under the table, remained calm.
« I spoke to the lawyer, » she said simply.
The argument quickly escalated. Shouts, feigned tears, insults disguised as concern. But Claire no longer waited for their approval. She put the documents back in her bag, grabbed her gym bag, and stood up. Jasmine was already waiting for her outside, engine running. Claire left without looking back.
In the car, her hands finally began to tremble. Jasmine squeezed her wrist. « You’re safe, » she told her. « You’re with me. »
At the Reeds’ house, no one asked any questions that evening. They served her pasta, a glass of water, and simply told her she could stay as long as she needed. The next day, Claire made calls. To the lawyer. To the county office. Her voice trembled, but on the other end of the line, they listened. Without judgment. Without minimizing.
The following days were spent on administrative tasks. Claire retrieved her documents, accompanied by Jasmine so she would never be alone when facing the Harpers. Mark called her a monumental mistake. Claire replied, « I’m making a choice. »
The lawyer confirmed her worst fears: if the funds had been misappropriated, an accounting would be required. Claire felt no desire for revenge, only immense weariness at having been exploited for so long.
That night, in the guest room, she discovered a new silence. No one slammed doors. No one watched her. The contradictory messages from her former parents continued to arrive, but their hold was diminishing.
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