Mark’s gaze lingered on Jacob, a reflection of himself staring back. I could almost see the wheels turning in his mind, the calculations, the dawning realization of what he had lost. Emily stood beside him, oblivious to the storm brewing within him. Her laughter, once infectious and welcome, now felt hollow, a reminder of the fracture she had helped create.
I held Jacob’s hand tighter, grounding myself. “Hello, Mark,” I said, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions. Emily’s eyes met mine briefly, a hint of guilt flashing across her face before she masked it with a smile.
“Claire, it’s been a while,” Mark managed, his voice strained. He glanced at Jacob again, his expression a mix of confusion and denial. I knew he was piecing together the timeline, recognizing the undeniable resemblance that Jacob bore to him. But this wasn’t the time or place for explanations or confrontations.
