Chapter 22 - CLAIRE’S FIRST ANNIVERSARYOn Claire and James’s first wedding anniversary, they returned to Imperial Astor.
Not for party.
Dinner with family.
Ava was invited.
So was Sophie, surprisingly, because Claire had developed respect for her recovery from scandal—not closeness, but acknowledgment.
Before dinner Claire took Ava upstairs to bridal suite.
Same room.
She stood where she had once asked:
“Do you still love him?”
Claire laughed.
“I was terrified.”
“I know.”
“I almost took pill nine months ago.”
“I know.”
“I didn’t.”
“I know.”
Claire looked mirror.
“One year.”
Ava smiled.
“One year.”
James entered.
“Are you two discussing me?”
“No,” both answered.
He laughed.
Marriage had not been perfect.
James and Claire fought over family business.
Over privacy.
Over Claire’s recovery boundaries.
Over whether children soon or later.
But they communicated.
They attended couples therapy briefly after Calloway fee conflict.
James learned not to protect Claire by withholding.
Claire learned not to interpret every conflict as evidence marriage unsafe.
No fairy tale.
Better.
At dinner Richard raised glass.
“To survival.”
Claire groaned.
“Dad.”
“What? Hotels, marriage, addiction, all of us.”
Evelyn shook head.
“Terrible toast.”
Everyone laughed.
Then Richard tried again.
“To truth before comfort.”
May you like
Claire looked at Ava.
That one stayed.
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