Chapter 41: The Father-Daughter Dance

Adrian once believed control could prevent loss. Lately, control seemed to be the surest way to cause it.

Adrian attends the school dance despite reporters outside. His practiced routine goes wrong, and Lucy joyfully improvises.

Claire understood that the next choice would be remembered long after the explanation. They had become unusually honest since the divorce began. Honesty did not make the choices easier, but it stopped them from pretending that ease was the same thing as peace.

Claire watches him choose laughter over perfection and feels desire return alongside fear.

"He is changing, Naomi. I do not know what to do with that."

Neither of them called it forgiveness. Forgiveness was too large for one night and too fragile to demand.

Naomi answers that change does not cancel the divorce hearing next month.