Claire hiccupped, her tears flowing effortlessly. "I was just telling Wendy the truth," she sobbed. "But she—she got angry and tried to harm Zac. I tried to stop her, but she lashed out at me instead."
My stomach twisted. "What?!"
Archie’s expression darkened as he looked at his son’s red, wailing face.
"Wendy," his voice was low, dangerous. "Tell me Claire is lying."
I opened my mouth, my mind racing for words, for anything—but Zac’s cries only grew louder.
I saw it then. The way Archie’s jaw tightened. The way his eyes burned with suspicion.
And I knew—he had already made his choice.
His voice was ice when he spoke. "I can’t believe you, Wendy."
Tears pricked my eyes. "I didn’t do anything, Archie! You have to believe me!"
Archie laughed—a sharp, bitter sound.
"Believe you?" His gaze seared into me. "How many times have I believed you, Wendy? And what has it ever given me? You couldn’t even take care of your own pregnancy—when I was so looking forward to it!"
My breath hitched.
"You weren’t looking forward to it!" I snapped, my voice breaking. "You—you killed my son for him!"
A sharp crack filled the air.
Pain exploded across my cheek.