Chapter 6 - THE MOTHER WHO REFUSED TO BE FOUND
Claire spent the next two weeks learning how to be a mother.
Hope cried at night.
Needed feeding every few hours.
And seemed determined never to sleep when Claire wanted her to.
Claire was exhausted.
But she was happy.
For the first time in years, nobody criticized her.
Nobody told her she was boring.
Nobody made her feel like an inconvenience.
Evelyn helped with the baby.
The shelter staff brought meals.
And a local attorney named Rebecca Sloan helped Claire begin divorce proceedings.
When Rebecca asked whether Claire wanted to return to the mansion, Claire shook her head.
“No.”
Rebecca nodded.
“Do you want Alexander to know where you are?”
Claire looked toward Hope.
Then answered:
“Not yet.”
Rebecca studied her.
“Claire, he may have legal rights as the child's father.”
Claire nodded.
“I know.”
She swallowed.
“But I need time to recover.”
Rebecca's expression softened.
“Then we'll make sure everything is handled properly.”
Claire looked down at her daughter.
And whispered:
“I'm not running forever.”
May you like
A pause.
“I'm just learning how to stand.”
