“Ethan doesn’t think either of you has been happy for a long time.”
“And he sent you to tell me.”
“He thought this would be easier.”
Claire looked down at her sleeping son.
“I carried his child for nine months.
I gave birth alone, and he couldn’t even ask me himself.”
Victoria sighed.
“Claire, my son is under enormous pressure.”
“So was I.”
Silence settled between them. Finally, Victoria reached into her designer handbag and placed a thick envelope on the bedside table.
Inside were divorce papers already prepared and reviewed by lawyers, with everything complete except Claire’s signature. Victoria spoke gently, almost kindly.
“If you sign now, we can avoid unnecessary attention.”
Claire didn’t even touch the papers. Instead, she asked a single question.
“Has Ethan seen his son yet?”
Victoria looked away.
“No.”
“Then tell him this.”
Her voice remained calm.
“I’ll sign nothing until he looks into his child’s eyes.”
Victoria stood slowly.
“You’re making this harder than it needs to be.”
“No,” Claire answered.
“I’m making him participate in the life he helped create.”
Victoria picked up her purse.
