"Mark is the father. After you two separate, I'll be the child's stepmother. I've already started planning the decor for the nursery." She leaned toward me. "Don't worry. I'll be the best mom."
It was bad enough finding out my husband planned to leave me.
But the way Claire was speaking about my baby suggested she was envisioning something far more than weekend visits.
I turned on Mark. "What exactly have you discussed with her about our baby?"
"Don't worry. I'll be the best mom."
"We just talked about the future," he said quickly. "That's all. Nothing real."
"It's very real," Claire said, and she wasn't going to let him sand it down. "I've thought a lot about what's best for the child. I have years of experience running a home. A baby needs structure."
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My voice came out low and steady, which surprised me. "I'm his mother. Not you."
