Claire was an adult.
No one could force her to meet Margaret.
They could tell her the truth.
But what happened next would be Claire’s decision.
Margaret understood.
Still, the waiting nearly destroyed her.
Three weeks passed.
Then four.
Every time the phone rang, Margaret jumped.
Every time Sophie entered her room, Margaret searched her face.
Finally, Rebecca called.
“Claire knows.”
Margaret gripped the phone.
“What did she say?”
Rebecca paused.
“She wants time.”
Margaret closed her eyes.
“Of course.”
“She has just learned that most of her childhood was built on a lie.”
“I know.”
“She knows you’re alive.”
Margaret whispered.
“That’s enough for today.”
But it wasn’t.
That night, Sophie found Margaret crying.
“I keep imagining what she thinks of me.”
“She may not know what to think.”
“What if she hates me?”
“She doesn’t know you.”
Margaret looked at her.
“That might be worse.”
Sophie sat beside her.
