"Fate?" she whispered. "Fate didn’t make my father get into that car that night. Fate didn’t make Archie fall for you instead of waiting for me."
I clenched my fists. "You left him. You made that choice."
Claire shrugged, then her expression darkened.
"But I’m back now," she said softly. "And I’m taking back what’s mine."
A cold shiver ran down my spine.
Zac stirred, whimpering in his sleep.
Before I could react, Claire turned towards the cot, her eyes glinting with something unreadable. She smiled, stroking his tiny hand. Then, without warning, she raised her voice.
"Please, Wendy, don’t!" she cried out, her tone laced with fear.
I blinked in shock.
"Wendy—how could you?!" Claire gasped dramatically. "You were trying to hurt Zac—!"
The room spun.
"What?" My voice came out hoarse, breathless. "Bloody hell, that’s not true!"
Claire stumbled back as if recoiling in horror. And then—
Footsteps thundered down the hall.
Archie burst through the door, eyes wild. He took in the scene—Zac crying, Claire’s stricken expression—and then turned to me.
"What the hell is going on?" His sharp gaze flickered between us.