Chapter 14 - DANIEL ASKED HER FOR ONE LAST FAVOR
Seven months after the foyer, Daniel asked Claire to meet.
Lawyers present.
He had one request.
A letter.
Mercer Architectural Fixtures was negotiating a new credit facility.
The bank wanted confirmation that Claire had no intention of accelerating Reed Capital’s note due solely to the marital dispute.
Claire looked at Rachel.
“That’s actually true.”
Rachel nodded.
“You can say only what is true.”
Daniel leaned forward.
“This could save thirty jobs.”
Claire hated that sentence.
Not because it was false.
Because it had been used on her so many times that even truth sounded manipulative.
She asked:
“Is the company current under the revised agreement?”
“Yes.”
Rachel confirmed.
“Has the disputed purchase option been removed?”
“Yes.”
“Is my building still being represented as a Mercer asset?”
“No.”
“Then I’ll confirm the note will be handled according to its commercial terms.”
Daniel exhaled.
“Thank you.”
Claire held up one hand.
“I will not say I support your management.”
His face tightened.
“The bank asked—”
“I’ll state facts.”
He looked disappointed.
For the first time, disappointment did not change her answer.
After the meeting, Daniel stopped her near the elevator.
“Claire.”
She turned.
“I’m sorry I hit you.”
It was the first apology without a but.
She waited.
“I’m sorry I grabbed your purse.”
Another pause.
“And I’m sorry I let Mom talk to you like you were living off me.”
Claire looked at him.
“That last one lasted years.”
“I know.”
“Why now?”
His eyes dropped.
“Because losing you is finally less embarrassing than admitting why I needed you to look small.”
That was probably the most truthful sentence Daniel had ever given her.
Claire appreciated it.
She still filed the divorce petition the following week.
An apology could matter without changing the decision.
May you like
The marriage had reached the point where Claire no longer wanted to test whether Daniel’s insight would become permanent character.
He would have to discover that without using her life as the experiment.
