Her calmness made the pain worse.
“But you also never tried to know.”
I lowered my head.
“Yes.”
That was the truth.
She looked toward our sons.
“They have interviews.”
I nodded.
“Of course.”
Claire turned away.
“Claire.”
She stopped.
“Can I see them again?”
She looked at Noah and Nathan.
Then back at me.
“That is not my decision anymore.”
I understood.
“They’re old enough.”
“Yes.”
“So I need to ask them.”
“Yes.”
I looked at my sons.
Nathan spoke first.
“No.”
The word was not cruel.
It was simply firm.
My chest tightened.
Noah looked at him.
Then at me.
“I don’t know.”
That hurt differently.
Nathan turned toward his brother.
“He abandoned Mom.”
“I know.”
“He never looked for us.”
“I know.”
Noah looked at me.
“But he didn’t know we were alive.”
Nathan’s expression sharpened.
“He knew she was pregnant.”
Silence.
Noah looked down.
Neither of them was wrong.
Claire touched Nathan’s shoulder.
“You don’t have to decide today.”
I nodded.
“She’s right.”
Nathan stared at me.
“I know.”
Then they walked away.
I watched them disappear backstage.
