Vanessa.
The woman he had left me for.
Beside them stood a tall teenage boy with neatly styled brown hair, an expensive private school uniform, and a polished leather portfolio tucked beneath one arm.
Their son, Mason.
Daniel wore a navy shirt that fit his broad shoulders perfectly. There was silver at his temples now, but otherwise he looked almost exactly as I remembered him.
Confident.
Impatient.
Certain that every room belonged to him.
His eyes traveled over my modest beige blazer, my worn black flats, and the inexpensive folder I had carried through two bus transfers before arriving.
Then his mouth tightened.
“What exactly are you doing here, Claire?”
“I came for the competition.”
Vanessa gave a delicate laugh.
“This is an invitation-only academic event, sweetheart.”
I looked at her.
“It's the Texas State STEM Championship. Students qualify through regional competitions. Public schools are eligible.”
Her smile disappeared for half a second.
