“Happy birthday,” I said softly.
And then I turned back to Marcus.
“Yes.”
That one word changed everything.
Vanessa took a step forward. “Claire, please—don’t do this. We can fix it. I’ll pay for everything.”
I met her eyes.
“It’s not about the money.”
Security arrived minutes later. Quiet. Professional. Final.
Guests began to leave—slowly, awkwardly, like they were exiting a scene they didn’t want to be part of anymore.
Vanessa stood alone by the table, no champagne, no smile, no audience.
