She leaned forward.
Wrapped her arms around Sophie.
"Oh, baby."
Sophie began crying again.
Mara held her tightly.
"You didn't do anything wrong. You noticed something strange, and you told me."
The child sniffled.
"But I made everybody look."
"No, sweetheart."
Mara pulled back enough to see her eyes.
"The adults made the decisions. The adults are responsible."
Sophie stared.
Mara kissed her forehead.
"You are seven years old. You don't have to fix grown-up problems."
The little girl nodded.
Then whispered, "Can we go home?"
Mara smiled through tears.
"Yes."
She closed the door.
Walked around the car.
And drove away from the mansion where she had once believed her marriage would begin a beautiful future.
Behind her, the lights remained bright.
But the perfect Bennett family celebration was over.
Inside the mansion, Daniel stood alone with Claire and Evelyn.
The event staff had retreated.
The last guests were leaving.
A broken champagne glass remained near the celebration table.
The silicone belly had been moved onto a side chair after Daniel asked that Sophie not have to walk past it again.
Nobody had spoken for several minutes.
Then Daniel turned toward Claire.
"Start at the beginning."
She stared.
His voice was remarkably calm.
That frightened her more than shouting would have.
"Daniel—"
"Tell me when this started."
Claire looked toward Evelyn.
Daniel noticed.
He turned sharply.
"Don't look at her."
Claire flinched.
He took a breath.
Then lowered his voice.
"I'm asking you."
Tears filled her eyes.
She swallowed.
"Your mother approached me before we became serious."
Daniel stared.
"About what?"
"About dating you."
He went still.
Claire continued.
"She said you needed somebody who understood your family."
His expression changed.
"She arranged our relationship?"
Claire shook her head quickly.
"Not exactly. I liked you. I really did."
Daniel looked away.
She continued desperately.
"I wasn't pretending everything. I enjoyed being with you. I thought we could have a real future."