Chapter 4 - CLAIRE STOPPED CALLING IT A FAMILY QUIRK
Claire canceled Rebecca’s move-in.
Not politely.
Rebecca called that afternoon.
“What do you mean I can’t use Lily’s room?”
“I mean Lily lives there.”
“Evan said you agreed.”
“He lied.”
Rebecca sighed.
“Claire, I’m nine months pregnant.”
“I know.”
“And Mark changed the locks.”
“That is serious. I’ll help you find somewhere safe.”
“There is somewhere safe. Your house.”
“Our guest room is available.”
Rebecca paused.
“The office?”
“Yes.”
“But the nursery furniture is already being delivered.”
Claire’s grip tightened on the phone.
“What nursery furniture?”
Another pause.
“Evan ordered it.”
Claire walked downstairs.
Three delivery cartons stood beside the garage door.
Crib.
Changing table.
Dresser.
All addressed to Evan Mercer.
The order date was three weeks earlier.
This had not been an impulsive response to Rebecca’s marital crisis.
Evan had planned to convert Lily’s bedroom before Claire knew Rebecca might move in.
That evening Claire confronted him.
“You ordered nursery furniture three weeks ago.”
“So?”
“Rebecca left Mark four days ago.”
Evan looked irritated.
“She’s been talking about leaving for months.”
“And you decided Lily’s room was available?”
“It makes sense.”
“No. It makes a point.”
His face hardened.
Claire continued.
“You wanted Lily to see that a baby boy could replace her.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“Then why not the guest room?”
“My mother will need that when the baby comes.”
“Your mother lives twenty minutes away.”
“She’ll help Rebecca.”
Claire stared at him.
Every answer created another layer of entitlement.
Lily’s room for the baby.
Guest room for Evan’s mother.
Office for Lily.
The eight-year-old permanent resident was the only person expected to disappear quietly.
Evan lowered his voice.
“Stop turning everything into discrimination.”
“You told her this family needs a son.”
His jaw shifted.
“I said things would be different with a boy around.”
“No.”
Claire stepped closer.
“She remembered exactly what you said.”
Evan looked away.
That was the first time Claire understood his cruelty was not primarily about Rebecca.
It was about the baby Rebecca was carrying.
A Mercer boy.
Something Evan had wanted badly enough to start rearranging his own daughter’s place in the family before the child was even born.
Claire called Miriam again.
“I want to know exactly what Arthur was afraid Evan would do.”
Miriam answered carefully.
“Then we should meet in person.”
The meeting was scheduled for the next morning.
Before Claire left, she checked Lily’s closet.
May you like
Behind several dresses, she found three more packed boxes.
Evan had labeled them STORAGE.
