Noah studied me with the careful attention children use when adults pretend everything is fine.
“Did Dad call?”
I had silenced Daniel’s number after fourteen messages, but I had listened to every voicemail.
Some were angry.
Some were confused.
The last had been quiet.
Claire, please let me speak to Noah. Whatever you think happened, he shouldn’t be punished for it.
Daniel always knew which sentence would hurt most.
“He asked about you,” I said.
“Can I talk to him?”
Evelyn glanced at me, leaving the decision mine.
I wanted to say no. I wanted another day before Daniel’s voice entered the fragile shelter I had built around us. But protecting Noah could not mean teaching him that love disappeared whenever adults failed each other.
“You can,” I said. “I’ll stay with you.”
We called from Evelyn’s study with the speaker on.
Daniel answered before the first ring ended.
