In the second, Jason raised a glass at a seafood restaurant.
In another, Diane smiled in Claire’s shawl while holding a designer handbag Ethan had never seen.
The caption read:
New Year’s in paradise with the people who truly understand the meaning of family.
Ethan stared at the screen until the words blurred.
Claire touched his sleeve.
“Please don’t do anything while you’re angry.”
He placed the phone facedown.
“You and Lily need food. Everything else can wait.”
That answer surprised her.
She had expected shouting, furious calls, perhaps an immediate confrontation.
Instead, Ethan washed his hands, checked the baby, and called Claire’s doctor.
The doctor advised him to bring Claire to an urgent appointment the following morning, but said she did not appear to need emergency care based on the symptoms Ethan described. She needed rest, hydration, nutritious meals, and help with the baby.
