Her eyes closed.
“He saw Robert give you money.”
“Melanie…”
“He saw you leave with a crying baby. For two weeks, he’s been saving money because he thought he could buy Claudia back.”
“The money was for me,” Claire said.
“Melanie…”
Her shoulders dropped.
“What else are you relieved I know?”
“I’m not relieved.”
“You are.”
Claire looked down at Ivy.
Ivy shifted against her chest, and my eyes followed.
“What else are you relieved I know?”
Claire noticed.
Her face changed.
“Mel, I didn’t come to the hospital to take anything from you.”
“I know Ivy is yours.”
“I know you know that now.” She adjusted the blanket around Ivy. “But you’re still looking at her like you’re trying to understand what Willie saw.”
“I know Ivy is yours.”
I swallowed.
“Then help me understand it.”
Claire nodded slowly.
“Robert gave me the money for rent and groceries. I asked him not to tell anyone. I was ashamed.”
“And Ivy?”
I swallowed.
“I had nobody to leave her with. Mom was with Willie, so I brought her.”
“And Robert held her.”
Claire’s eyes filled.
“I’d never seen him like that,” Claire said. “Then Ivy started crying, and he asked if he could hold her.”
My throat tightened.
“And Robert held her.”
“And you let him?”
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