It came apart in pieces. The softness in her eyes disappeared first. Then the hurt. Then the careful uncertainty she had worn like a second skin for weeks. What remained underneath was harder. Sharper. More tired than he’d expected. Rosalind — Claire — looked away first. Then she laughed once under her breath. Not because anything was funny.
Because there was apparently nothing else left to do. “You tested me,” she said. Jack stared at her. “You moved into my house.” Claire gave a small, bitter shake of her head. “I gave you your family back.” That landed like a slap. Jack straightened. “You gave my son a lie.” Her jaw tightened.