“Dad saw me.”
Claire went still.
“What did he say?”
Sophie began crying.
“He said you knew.”
Claire felt something inside her chest tear.
“He said you guys were basically separated.”
Claire could barely breathe.
“He told me not to bring it up because Grandma was sick and you didn’t need more stress.”
The room blurred.
“He told you that?”
Sophie nodded.
“I thought…”
She cried harder.
“I thought you knew.”
Claire pulled her into her arms.
Sophie clung to her.
“I’m sorry.”
“No.”
Claire kissed her hair.
“No, baby.”
“I should’ve told you.”
“No.”
“You didn’t know.”
“That was not your job.”
Sophie cried into her shoulder.
“Dad said it was adult stuff.”
Claire closed her eyes.
In one sentence, Ryan had recruited their child into maintaining his lie.
Perhaps he told himself he was protecting Claire.
Maybe that was worse.
“What happened tonight?”
Sophie asked.
Claire pulled back.
She did not want to say it.
She had to.
“Your dad announced an engagement to Vanessa.”
Sophie stared.
“What?”
“At work.”
“But…”
“I know.”
“You’re married.”
“Yes.”
Sophie’s face moved from confusion to anger so fast Claire barely followed.
“That’s insane.”
“I know.”
“Is he stupid?”
Claire almost laughed.
“Sophie.”
“He is.”
“Maybe.”
“Mom.”
“He made very bad decisions.”
“That is parent language.”
“Yes.”
“Can I use teenager language?”
“Not yet.”
Sophie stood.
“Did you punch him?”
“No.”
“Vanessa?”
“No.”
“Did you scream?”
“Not much.”
Her daughter stared.
“What did you do?”
Claire looked toward her handbag.
“I called a lawyer.”
Sophie burst out laughing through tears.
“Of course you did.”
Claire laughed too.
For ten seconds they sounded normal.
Then Sophie sat again.
“Is Dad coming home?”
“I don’t know.”
“Tonight?”
“No.”
“Ever?”
Claire hesitated.
“I don’t know.”
Sophie wiped her eyes.
“Good.”
Claire’s heart tightened.
“Sophie.”
“I’m mad.”
“You’re allowed.”
“He lied to me too.”
“Yes.”
“I hate him.”
Claire took her hand.
“You may feel that right now.”
“I do.”
“I know.”
“I don’t want to see him.”
“That may change.”
“It won’t.”
Claire did not argue.
Teenagers often spoke permanent language for temporary feelings because temporary felt too fragile.
“We’ll figure it out.”