“Interesting choice of words.”
Vanessa folded her arms.
“Daniel said your marriage was basically over.”
“Basically?”
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
“We were going to talk tonight.”
I glanced at the ring.
“Before or after Paris?”
His eyes dropped to the tickets in my hand.
The room fell silent.
Vanessa’s smile sharpened.
“This is embarrassing.”
I looked at her, then at him.
Something inside me broke cleanly—not like glass, but like a lock opening.
I placed the roses on the reception desk.
“Congratulations,” I said.
Daniel blinked.
“Claire, wait.”
I turned and walked out.
In the elevator, my hands stopped shaking.
