Chapter 5
“That doesn’t explain everything.”
“No.”
“Why did he tell me she was like family?”
Margaret took a breath. “Because that is what I told him when they were children.”
Claire frowned.
Margaret’s gaze moved to the recipe book in Claire’s hands.
“Sophia’s parents lived next door to us. Her father was ill for several years, and her mother worked constantly. Sophia spent most afternoons in our home. Adrian became protective of her. I encouraged it. I told him she was like a sister.”
“And then?”
“Then they grew older. Feelings changed. I thought the friendship would change too.”
“But it didn’t.”
“It changed for Adrian. I believe it did.” Margaret paused. “For Sophia, I am less certain.”
Claire felt an old knot forming in her chest.
“Are you saying she’s in love with him?”
“I’m saying that Sophia has built too much of her identity around being needed by Adrian. Whether that is love or dependence, I cannot say.”
Emily crossed her arms. “And Adrian allowed it.”
“Yes.”
Margaret’s answer held no defense.
Claire placed the letter on the table.
“If he understood what he was doing, why did he keep doing it?”
“Because understanding a mistake and being willing to correct it are different things.”
The words landed harder than any accusation.
Margaret stood.
“I should go.”
Claire looked at her. “Why bring me this now?”
“Because Adrian told me you were being unreasonable.”
Claire gave a small, humorless laugh.
“He said that?”
“He said you had become jealous and impulsive. He asked me to speak to you.”
“And you decided not to?”
“I decided to read the letter I had kept hidden for three years.”
Claire stared at her.
Margaret reached for her coat.
“I had forgotten it was in my desk. When Adrian called tonight, I found it.”
“You kept it all this time?”
“I told myself I kept it because I might need to remind him of what he once believed. The truth is, I kept it because I was ashamed.”
“Of what?”
“Of knowing he was making the wrong choice and telling myself it was not my place to interfere.”
Claire had spent so long wishing someone in Adrian’s family would acknowledge what was happening that Margaret’s confession left her strangely hollow.
Not relieved.
Not vindicated.
Just tired.
At the door, Margaret turned.
“There is something else.”
Claire waited.
“When you left, Adrian went to the study.”