Chapter 8 — Why Claire Said Those Words to Emma
Michael still needed one answer.
“Why did you tell Emma I didn’t want her?”
Claire looked toward the floor.
“Because she refused to come with me.”
The truth was ugly.
Claire had planned to take Emma to Helen’s house for a family lunch.
She knew Michael had not agreed.
But Claire believed once Emma was there, Michael would eventually accept it.
When Claire picked Emma up from art class, Emma asked:
“Did Daddy say I can go?”
Claire avoided answering.
Then Emma insisted she wanted to go home.
Claire became frustrated.
She had spent weeks convincing herself that Michael was intentionally separating Emma from Rebecca’s family.
So she told the child:
“Your daddy is building a life that doesn’t include us anymore.”
Emma asked:
“Does it include me?”
That was the moment Claire should have stopped.
Instead, angry and emotional, she answered:
“Maybe not forever.”
Emma started crying.
Claire immediately regretted it.
Then tried to repair the damage by saying:
“That’s why Grandma and I will always take care of you.”
But that only made Emma more frightened.
Michael stared at Claire.
“You wanted her to choose you.”
Claire nodded through tears.
“Yes.”
“So you made her afraid she was losing me.”
“Yes.”
Helen looked horrified.
Then something uncomfortable passed across her face.
Recognition.
Claire noticed.
“What?”
Helen shook her head.
“That’s exactly what I did to you.”
Claire froze.
Helen continued.
“I told you that if you supported Rebecca, you’d lose me.”
Claire sat back.
The pattern was suddenly visible.
Helen had once frightened Claire into choosing sides.
Years later, Claire frightened Emma for the same reason.
Different generation.
Same weapon.
If you love them, you lose me.
Michael looked toward both women.
“It stops with Emma.”