She said her father was stepping back. That he wanted her to take over what he’d built. That it would happen soon. For a second, no one spoke. Then Daniel smiled—wide, almost stunned—and reached for her hand. Eleanor’s eyebrows lifted in approval. Brooke let out a soft laugh and said, “That’s incredible,” like the word had been waiting for somewhere inside her.
The moment felt right. Warm. Earned. Clare hesitated, then added something else, almost as an afterthought. That she was starting a new position the very next morning. That she’d accepted it quietly, wanting the anniversary to come first. Wanting the news to feel like a gift instead of an announcement. “I was going to surprise you,” she said, apologetic and pleased all at once.