Watching Claire's tears fall, I felt nothing. No pity. No guilt.

Only an overwhelming sense of irritation.

‘Had I changed?’

Before, even after years apart, I would've instinctively wanted to comfort her if she was in pain.

But now, as she cried, as she clung to me with desperation, as she tried every possible way to hold on—

All I felt was exhaustion. And disgust.

"Claire, that's enough." My voice was colder ...