Chapter 9 - Claire Kept Ethan’s Last Voicemail
Claire still had one voicemail from Ethan.
It was recorded two days before everything ended.
His voice sounded young.
Happy.
“I know your meeting ran late. Call me tomorrow. I love you.”
Then nothing.
Claire played it for him.
Ethan sat down.
The next day, Victoria told him Claire had accepted money and left.
That evening, Victoria told Claire Ethan wanted no further contact.
Two lives separated by one person standing between them.
Ethan asked:
“Did you hate me?”
Claire thought carefully.
“For a while.”
“Do you now?”
“No.”
Hope flashed across his face.
Claire immediately added:
“That doesn’t mean we go backward.”
Ethan nodded.
She was right.
Noah did not need his parents recreating a romance because biology had
surprised them.
He needed adults who could tell the truth and move slowly.
Ethan turned toward his son.
“Does he know who I am?”
Claire answered:
May you like
“He knows your name.”
Noah had never been told Ethan was his father.
