She looked… different. Not polished. Not smug.
Just pale, uneasy, and carrying the kind of sadness that weighed down her shoulders.
I didn’t stand. I didn’t offer her a seat.
I just folded my arms and waited.
“Hey.”
“You lost?” I raised an eyebrow.
She flinched but nodded, like she deserved that.
“No. I… I wanted to see you.”
I tilted my head, studying her.
“I can’t imagine why.”
Claire swallowed, staring down at her hands.
“Liam won’t talk to me.
Won’t see me… He…” Her voice caught, and for a split second, I saw genuine regret in her eyes.
But it didn’t move me.
She took a breath, trying again.
“I messed up. I…” She exhaled sharply. “I was awful to you, Dahlia.
I was selfish and cruel, and I…”
Her fingers twisted together.
“I never meant for things to go this way.”
I laughed, short and humorless.
“Really? Because it felt intentional.”
Claire winced.
“I thought…” she hesitated. “I thought I could control everything.
That if I just pushed hard enough, I’d get my perfect day. And instead? I ruined everything.”
I didn’t say a word.
She glanced at me then, eyes uncertain.
“I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness.
But I wanted to…”
“Stop,” my voice was flat. “You don’t get to want anything from me, Claire.”
She swallowed hard.
I stood.
“You used me. Lied to me.
Now, get out of my bakery.”
She hesitated. Then nodded once and turned toward the door.
She paused, her hand on the handle.
“I really am sorry.”
I didn’t answer. And a moment later, she was gone.
Source: amomama
