Chapter 67: The Lantern Festival

The city kept moving, indifferent to the private disaster gathering inside one family.

At the town festival, Claire and Adrian dance beneath paper lanterns while Lucy sleeps on Owen's shoulder nearby.

Claire understood that the next choice would be remembered long after the explanation. Lucy remained the line neither of them would cross. Whatever happened between the adults, their daughter would not be asked to purchase harmony with her own safety.

Desire becomes playful instead of painful, but Claire withdraws when locals assume they are married.

"I want the dance. I do not want the old title."

Claire felt the old instinct to protect everyone from discomfort. This time she let the truth remain in the room.

Adrian asks whether she might someday want a new one.