“We didn’t mean to hurt you.” Claire’s face falls. “And look, you’re happily engaged too, so it all worked out okay in the end. Can’t we just—” “No, Claire, we can’t just. Alaric and I finding each other doesn’t change the fact that I trusted both of you and you betrayed me.” She recoils as if I’ve slapped her across the face. A sensation like pride spreads across my shoulders, filling me with joyous warmth.
