He did not use the moment to damage his rival.
He simply stayed.
Near midnight, Amelia emerged.
Nathaniel stood immediately.
“Claire?”
“Stable.”
He closed his eyes briefly.
“The babies?”
“Both alive.
They’re in the NICU.
They came early, so there are serious risks, but they’re fighting.”
Nathaniel released a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.
“Did Damon come?”
Amelia looked past him at the empty hallway.
“You tell me.”
He hadn’t.
Nathaniel remained until Claire woke.
Her first words were barely audible.
“My babies?”
Amelia leaned close.
“Alive.
Both of them.”
Claire began crying before her eyes were fully open.
Not loud tears.
Just tears sliding silently toward her hairline.
“Can I see them?”
“As soon as you’re strong enough.”
Claire swallowed.
Then came the question everyone knew was coming.
“Where’s Damon?”
Amelia hesitated.
Nathaniel was standing near the doorway, half hidden from Claire’s view.
“He hasn’t arrived yet,” Amelia said.
Claire stared at her.
There was no surprise on her face.
That was somehow worse.
“Of course he hasn’t.”
Nathaniel looked down.
He suddenly felt like an intruder on something too private to witness.
He turned to leave.
Claire noticed him.
“Nathaniel?”
He stopped.
They had met only a handful of times at charity galas and corporate events.
Damon had always made certain she understood Nathaniel was an enemy.
Nathaniel stepped closer.
“Amelia called me.”
Claire looked from him to Amelia.
“Why?”
His sister answered.
“Because you were alone.”
That broke something in Claire.
She covered her face with one trembling hand.
Nathaniel didn’t touch her.
He didn’t offer an empty promise.
He pulled a chair closer to the wall and sat where she could see him without having to speak.
