Chapter 118

Claire stayed silent. It wasn't until the thunder and lightning outside seemed to vanish, like the storm had just been messing with them, that the woman's voice cut through the stillness again. "Wasn't she scared of thunder?" Just that one line, and a whole wave of memories came crashing back. It was at Nelson's grandfather's birthday party, right here at the old family home. The old man never liked Serena. Being up in age, he wasn't big on throwing parties either. He'd just gather everyone for a simple dinner here at the old place. A little celebration, nothing fancy. Claire had been invited, of course. Serena and Nelson were pretty much a thing by then, but his grandpa never approved—still told everyone Claire was the only real granddaughter-in-law of the Cooper family. That only made Nelson more rebellious. He showed up super late that night—everyone had already finished eating and cleaned up. The old man didn't even want to see him and had gone upstairs. Claire had snuck some food