Chapter 2 - PERFECT
Margaret suddenly swept the breakfast plate off the table.
CRASH.
Claire flinched.
Margaret dragged one finger across the spotless surface.
A tiny speck of dust.
She shoved her fingertip inches from Claire’s face.
“DID YOU CLEAN THIS WITH YOUR EYES CLOSED?!”
Claire stared.
Then Margaret yanked open a folded towel on the sideboard.
“Wrong.”
She turned a dining chair.
“Out of place.”
Pointed at Claire’s slippers.
“And those look disgusting.”
Claire’s jaw tightened.
Forced smile.
“Shall I fix it, Mother?”
Ethan said softly:
“Mom, maybe—”
Margaret ignored him.
She grabbed Claire by the shoulders, shoved her backward, then pointed at the table.
“The fork is too far left. The teacup handle is wrong. And stand up straight when I’m speaking.”
Ethan lowered his head.
Claire’s smile trembled.
Margaret leaned closer.
“Useless. You can’t even handle simple tasks like this.”
Claire’s eyes turned cold.
“Yes, Mother.”
Pause.
“Perfect.”
Margaret walked away satisfied.
Claire stood breathing hard.
Then smiled.
Not happy.
Decided.
“You want perfection, do you?”
Ethan looked up.
“Claire.”
She turned.
“Fine.”
The next morning at exactly five, Claire entered Margaret’s bedroom.
Pulled the duvet off.
Margaret bolted upright.
“What are you doing?!”
Claire smiled sweetly.
“Wake up! Are you a pig or something? It’s five o’clock!”
Margaret stared.
Claire pointed at the bed.
“Corners aren’t square.”
Then the slippers.
“Uneven.”
Then the nightstand.
“Water ring.”
Margaret’s face changed from shock to fury.
Ethan appeared in the doorway.
“Claire, stop.”
Claire turned to him.
“Oh.”
Her smile widened.
“Now you see it?”
Silence.
Margaret climbed out of bed.
“You insolent little—”
Claire lifted one finger.
“Stand up straight when I’m speaking.”
Ethan closed his eyes.
For one glorious second, Claire thought she had won.
Then Margaret smiled.
Calm again.
Too calm.
That expression bothered Claire more than shouting would have.
Margaret did not look humiliated.
She looked confirmed.
As if Claire had stepped onto a mark already taped to the floor.
Then Margaret smiled.
Calm again.
Too calm.
“Thank you.”
Claire frowned.
May you like
Margaret reached for her phone.
“You’ve just made this much easier.”
