Daniel stepped slightly closer.
“You know what’s funny, Claire?”
“What?”
“Vanessa and I bought a house in Weston. My company is expanding. Everything worked out.”
“I’m glad.”
His expression tightened.
My lack of anger clearly irritated him.
Then he said the sentence he had probably been waiting years to deliver.
“Leaving you was the smartest thing I ever did.”
Vanessa laughed beside him.
Before I could answer, the sound of small shoes hurried across the marble floor.
“Mommy!”
A little girl with dark curls raced through the crowd and threw herself into my arms.
I caught her automatically.
“Emma! Slow down.”
She wrapped both arms around my neck.
“Dad and I have been looking everywhere for you!”
Something changed in the air around us.
Daniel stared at Emma.
Then at me.
Then past my shoulder.
A tall man was walking toward us carrying Emma’s tiny silver shoes in one hand.
Vanessa whispered,
