Claire’s stable life spiraled into chaos when she discovered her husband Alaric had an affair early in their marriage, resulting in a son, Fred. Shocked and hurt, Claire insisted she wanted nothing to do with the child, setting a firm boundary despite giving their marriage another chance.

One day, Claire answered the door to find Sadie, the woman from the affair, and Fred standing there. Sadie, facing jail time and homelessness, announced they were moving in. Claire was outraged and felt trapped by this unexpected intrusion into her life.

Alaric explained the dire situation: if Fred didn’t stay with them, he would have to move across the country, away from his school and friends. Claire, overwhelmed, suggested foster care, which led to a heated argument. Unable to process the sudden upheaval, Claire stormed out.

At a local grocery store, Claire impulsively picked up an apartment guide, contemplating leaving. Returning home, she handed it to Alaric, signaling her seriousness. Alaric, frustrated, pleaded for understanding, but Claire stood firm.

The tension reached a breaking point when Claire told Sadie and Fred to leave or she’d call the police. The atmosphere was thick with unresolved emotions, and soon after, Alaric filed for divorce.

As Claire packed and moved on, she grappled with doubt. Reflecting on her decisions, she wondered if she had been too harsh, questioning her actions and their impact on what once was a happy marriage.