I took a breath and pushed the doors open.
The room fell silent.
Daniel sat on the right, his tie loosened and dark circles beneath his eyes.
Vanessa sat beside him, still wearing the sapphire necklace.
Claire occupied the head of the table.
She wore the red coat, buttoned all the way up.
Her dark hair was pulled tightly back.
She looked at me with Dad’s eyes and Mom’s cheekbones.
“Emily,” she said.
“Claire.”
She gestured toward the chair opposite her.
“Sit.”
I remained standing.
“You wanted to tell me why Daniel married me.”
Claire smiled.
Thin.
Practiced.
“He married you because I told him to.”
Daniel tensed but said nothing.
“That old story,” I said.
“Is it old?” Claire leaned forward. “Because he didn’t fall in love with you. He never loved you. He loved the idea of having the key to Hayes Capital.”
I looked at Daniel.
He couldn’t meet my eyes.
“And you?” I asked Claire.
