When I reached the lounge, Claire was already there—standing stiffly, phone in hand, eyes red from crying.
She didn’t hesitate.
“Are you Valerie?” she asked. “Tell me if that baby… is Daniel’s.”
“Yes,” I said. “His name is Ethan. He was born today. Daniel is his father.”
Claire swallowed hard and turned to him.
“You told me there was nothing unfinished,” she said, her voice breaking. “You said your past was behind you.”
Daniel tried to step closer, but I raised a hand.
“Let her speak. You created this.”
Claire turned back to me, tense.
“What do you want?” she asked. “Money? To ruin my wedding?”
I let out a tired breath.
“I want peace. And responsibility. While you were picking out flowers, I was giving birth. Whether you get married or not—that’s not my fight. My fight is making sure my son has a present father and a clear agreement.”
Silence filled the room.
Claire looked down. For a moment, she seemed more hurt than angry.
“I didn’t know,” she whispered. “No one told me.”
“I know,” I said. “And you didn’t deserve to find out this way.”
Daniel spoke quietly, almost to himself.
“I was scared. I thought you’d leave me.”
Claire let out a bitter laugh.
“And lying was supposed to fix that?”