36. Claire

Claire
I was in the hospital for another two weeks before they would discharge me. Drew had them run every test possible to make sure I was healed enough to go home. He never left my side the entire time, and then he wanted me to move back in with him until his mother was caught—but I refused. I can’t let that woman have any more control over my life than she already did this past year.

Drew has been quieter lately. He’s giving me space, and sometimes I wonder if this is what I really wanted. I miss him every second of every day.

Tomorrow is my first day back at work, and I’m glad to be returning to some kind of normal. Aiden and Joy have been running circles around me since I got discharged—free from both the hospital and Drew’s constant watch—and as much as I love them, I just need room to breathe.

I’ve been calling Jared to check on Drew—how he’s doing at work, how he’s handling the news about his mother, his real mother, and, of course, about Jared being his brother. Jared said Drew doesn’t really speak to him anymore. If it isn’t about work, he doesn’t say much. Drew even had HR hire him a personal assistant, so now I only report to Jared. It’s what I thought I wanted, but it just makes it feel more real—that our worlds are starting to separate.

The new week is finally here. As I walk into the office, I catch the faint scent of lavender in the air. It’s pleasant but takes me a moment to place—then I realize it’s coming from Drew’s new assistant’s desk. The chair is empty, but then a leggy blonde rounds the corner.

She’s wearing a black dress that hugs every inch of her like it was tailored with a scalpel—sharp, sleek, deliberate. A gold buckle cinches her waist, the neckline dips just enough to be polished but bold, and the hem skims her knees as her long legs steal the room with every step. She looks like the kind of woman who knows exactly what she wants—and exactly how to take it.

Meanwhile, I’m dressed for comfort. That’s about all I’ll say, because even describing it would invite judgment from anyone with half-decent vision. I still walk with a slight limp, which means I’m in what Drew once dubbed my “granny pumps”—the kind he swears you’d find in a chic coastal grandmother catalogue.

Little Miss New Boobs gives me a bright smile and stretches out her hand. Great. She’s got perfect white teeth too, I think to myself.

“Hi! You must be Claire. I’m Summer—but my friends call me Goldie.”

I arch a brow. “Goldie?”

She taps her hair. “The hair.”

I reach out to shake her hand—damn, it’s soft. Does this woman have a single flaw?

She adds, “I heard about the poisoning—office gossip travels fast. If you need help with anything, don’t hesitate to ask. Drew’s got me working on a lot, but I’m happy to help where I can.”

Right then, Drew steps out of his office and walks straight over to her.

“Summer, did the flowers I ordered get delivered yet? They weren’t at Claire’s desk when I was setting up her foot massager, and I want them there before she arrives.”

Summer clears her throat and glances at me. Drew finally turns my way and gives a small nod.

“Oh—hey Claire. I didn’t see you there. Welcome back. I see you’ve met Summer, my new secretary. Summer, this is Claire—my wife… we’re newly separated.” He turns back to her. “Come to my office when you’re done here.”

I stand there, stunned. Newly separated? Did that mean he’s filing for divorce?

Before I can spiral into full-on mental chaos, Jared steps out of his office.

“Claire Bear, is that you?”

Did he seriously just call me Claire Bear?

Still reeling, I stare at him as he opens his arms. “Don’t just stand there—give Daddy a hug!”

He pulls me into a bear hug and sways dramatically.

“Um, Jared… what are you doing? And who the hell is Claire Bear? Are you high?”

I lean back to check his eyes—no dilation, no glassiness. Just Jared, boyishly handsome as ever.

“Nope, no drugs, Claire Bear. Just all man. Wanna feel?” He winks.

Before I can shoot back a response, Drew’s office door swings open.

“Jared, I swear to God—if you call her Claire Bear one more time, I’ll fire you and make your life a living hell.”

Jared chuckles. “Relax, Drew. I was just testing out some cute nicknames for my new solo secretary. Claire, I moved your desk into my office—it’ll be easier for us to work and less walking for you.”

Drew storms over. “Over my dead body, Jared. Her desk stays right here where I can see her and make sure she’s okay.”

Then he turns to me, uncertain. “Unless you’d rather be in his office?”

“No, I’m fine out here for now,” I say.

I look at Jared. “I’ve still got a slight limp, but I can move around just fine. Thanks for the concern.”

I start heading to my desk, Jared trailing behind.

“Claire, I didn’t mean anything by it—I was just messing with Drew. This is the most he’s said to me since I dropped the news. And I heard him tell Summer you were separated. You looked shocked when you heard that, so I figured you didn’t know. I just wanted to show you—Drew’s hurting. But you’re still on his mind. Exhibit A, he almost just killed me for calling you Claire Bear and Exhibit B—”

He gestures to my new desk setup: a sleek, adjustable desk paired with a high-end Cameron leather chair, complete with massage, ventilation, and heating options. Underneath is a footrest and a separate heated foot massager.

To the side, there’s a compact fridge. I open it—bottled water, my favorite juices and sodas, yogurts, fresh fruit. Jared taps the bottom drawer, and I pull it open to find a stash of my favorite snacks: assorted nuts, chocolates, Gardettos—both the original mix and just the rye chips.

Drew thought of everything. Every detail.

My eyes well with tears, and Jared gently wraps an arm around my shoulders.

“He’ll figure this out, Claire,” he murmurs. “Please don’t give up on my brother.”