“How did you find that?”„
“Who is that with you in the photos?” I asked.
Claire didn’t answer.
But Daniel did.
“That’s the love of her life, Jake. The man she can’t let go of.”
Claire let out a sharp breath.
Liam looked between all of us, confused, still hurting.
“Liam,” Daniel said, softer now, “do you mind going to your room while I handle this?”
Liam hesitated, then nodded.
He walked past me slowly, shoulders slumped, and disappeared down the hallway.
“That’s the love of her life.”„
I wanted to follow my grandson. Every instinct in me said to go. But I stayed.
Because for once, I needed to see what my son would do.
***
The front door was still open.
Daniel held the box steady.
“You called Liam’s memories trash. Should I treat yours the same way?”
Claire rushed forward again.
He stepped back.
Every instinct in me said to go.„
For the first time since he’d married Claire, he didn’t soften his tone or try to explain her behavior away.
“I found these months ago,” Daniel said. “I was fixing the shelf in your closet. It slid out.”
Claire said nothing.
“I didn’t bring it up because I figured people hold on to things for a reason, even if they don’t make sense to anyone else.”
He nodded toward the driveway, toward the dumpster.
“Go get every single bunny back. Every one. And then wash them all and recreate any of the notes attached that were damaged.”
Claire didn’t move.
“I found these months ago.”„
For a second, I thought she might refuse.
Then Daniel shifted his grip on the box. He turned slightly toward the dumpster.
That’s when Claire broke.
“No, wait!”
She ran outside.
I stood in the doorway beside Daniel.
Neither of us spoke.
Claire climbed into that dumpster without hesitation.
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