Chapter 13 - YOU DON’T GET TO BUY FORGIVENESS
Daniel stepped aside.
Claire didn’t enter.
“What did you do?”
“I paid the loan.”
“I know.”
“How?”
“I sold things.”
Her eyes moved past him.
The nearly empty apartment told the rest.
“Your car?”
“Yes.”
“Your investments?”
“Yes.”
“The apartment?”
“Under contract.”
Claire stared at him.
“You’re an idiot.”
“Probably.”
“I told you I didn’t want your money.”
“I know.”
“So why did you do it?”
“Because it was never my money.”
She shook her head.
“Don’t make this dramatic.”
“I’m not.”
“Yes, you are. You think selling your stuff turns us even?”
“No.”
“You think now you understand sacrifice?”
“No.”
“You think I’ll forgive you?”
“No.”
The answers stopped her.
Daniel looked at her.
“I don’t think any of that.”
“Then why?”
“Because the debt existed because I’m alive.”
Claire’s jaw tightened.
“You didn’t ask me to take it.”
“I know.”
“I made that choice.”
“I know.”
“And you don’t get to erase it.”
“I’m not trying to.”
“Then what are you trying to do?”
Daniel inhaled.
“Take responsibility for the part I can.”
Claire stared at him.
Silence filled the doorway.
Finally, she said, “I’m still leaving.”
“I know.”
“I’m going to Oregon.”
“I know.”
“I’m not coming back because you sold an apartment.”
“I know.”
“Stop saying you know.”
Daniel almost smiled.
“Okay.”
Claire looked around.
“Where will you live?”
“Smaller place.”
“With what furniture?”
“I have a folding chair.”
Despite herself, Claire laughed.
It lasted half a second.
Then disappeared.
Daniel’s eyes filled.
“I missed that.”
“Don’t.”
“Sorry.”
She looked down at the bank letter.
“I can pay you back.”
“No.”
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
“You don’t get to control my finances.”
“True.”
“I’ll send the money.”
“I’ll send it back.”
Claire glared at him.
For a moment, they looked like the married couple they used to be.
Two stubborn people arguing about money.
Then reality returned.
Claire’s voice softened.
“Why now?”
Daniel looked at her.
“Because before, I thought surviving meant I deserved whatever made me happy.”
She said nothing.
“I was angry for years. At my body. At doctors. At you.”
“At me?”
“Yes.”
Claire’s face tightened.
“Why?”
“Because you saw me weak.”
Her expression changed.
Daniel looked down.
“Vanessa didn’t.”
He swallowed.
“With her, I could pretend those years never happened.”
Claire’s eyes filled.
“I never thought you were weak.”
“I know that now.”
“Daniel—”
“I hated that you knew how scared I was.”
She whispered, “I was scared too.”
“I know.”
He looked at her.
“And instead of loving you for staying, I hated myself for needing you.”
Claire wiped her cheek.
Daniel stepped back.
“I’m not asking you to forgive me.”
“Good.”
“I’m not asking you to stay.”
“Good.”
“I just wanted you free of the debt.”
Claire stared at him for a long time.
Then she walked down the hallway.
Daniel didn’t follow.
At the elevator, she turned.
“Dr. Harris told me you missed your medication.”
Daniel looked embarrassed.
“It won’t happen again.”
“It better not.”
The elevator opened.
Claire stepped inside.
Before the doors closed, Daniel said, “Have a good life, Claire.”
Her face broke for just a second.
“You too.”
The doors shut.
Daniel stood alone.
Then his phone rang.
It was Rachel.
“Daniel.”
Something in her voice was wrong.
“What happened?”
“It’s Claire.”
His blood turned cold.
May you like
“What about her?”
“She never made it to Oregon.”
