Chapter 2 - THE TWO CHILDREN AT THE TABLE
Security separated them within seconds.
That mattered later.
So did the fact that Claire stopped when ordered.
She did not continue attacking.
She did not throw punches.
She did not pretend she had done nothing.
When police arrived, Claire said:
“I grabbed them. I dragged them. I was furious.”
The officer looked toward the storage room.
“And your daughter?”
“Locked inside.”
Lily sat wrapped in a caterer’s shawl, refusing to let go of Claire’s hand.
The officer crouched.
“Did someone put you in there?”
Lily nodded.
“Who?”
She pointed at Margaret.
Then at Vanessa.
Margaret exploded.
“She’s confused!”
Lily flinched.
Claire turned.
“Do not speak to her.”
The officer raised a hand.
“Everyone stops.”
The party ended.
Guests left in clusters.
Then Claire noticed two children still sitting at the decorated table.
Twin boys.
About five.
Dark blond hair.
Matching navy jackets.
She had seen them twice before with Vanessa.
Vanessa called them her nephews.
Now one of them was crying.
Aaron stood beside them.
Too close.
Too naturally.
One boy reached for him.
“Daddy?”
Claire stopped breathing.
Aaron closed his eyes.
Vanessa’s face collapsed.
Margaret whispered:
“Oh God.”
Claire looked at her husband.
“What did he call you?”
Aaron opened his mouth.
Nothing came.
The second twin reached for him too.
“Daddy, are we going home?”
Claire looked from the boys—
to Vanessa—
to Margaret—
then back to Aaron.
Her rage vanished.
May you like
Something colder took its place.
“Your real children,” she whispered.
