“She didn’t leave,” Jack said, low and dangerous. “She disappeared.” Claire’s mouth tightened. “And she never came back,” she snapped. “That’s the part that matters.” The words hit hard. Hard enough to make the room feel smaller. Claire took a breath, steadied herself, then said, quieter: “I knew I could be there for you.” Jack said nothing.
“I knew I could fill in the gaps she left so irresponsibly.” That did it. Jack stepped toward her so fast she actually flinched. “Don’t,” he said. His voice was quiet. Which somehow made it worse. “Do not talk about her like that.” Claire stared at him. For the first time, there was no performance left in her face. Just resentment. Years of it. And underneath that, something uglier.