Conversations lingered longer than necessary. She wasn’t unhappy—just aware that her energy didn’t return as quickly as it once had. She blamed stress. Responsibility. Normal things. Daniel noticed, as he always did. He asked if she was sleeping, if she’d remembered her medication, if the headaches had eased. His concern stayed gentle. Never urgent.
Brooke echoed the same questions with professional calm. Between them, Clare felt supported enough not to question it. On the evening of their anniversary, Daniel insisted they go out. Not somewhere loud. Not crowded. “Just dinner,” he said lightly. “We don’t need a whole production.” Eleanor agreed immediately.