The Lie Unravels

Claire's phone clicks, and the receptionist's voice fills the room—'I'm sorry, Mr. Sable is out of the office today'—her eyes snapping to him, the wig on the table a glaring accusation. He feels the belt buckle press against his spine, a cold reminder of David's claim, as Claire's hand tightens on the phone. 'He's standing right here,' she says, her voice dangerously calm, 'but he says he's been at a conference all week.' The silence stretches, and Warren watches her face shift from suspicion to cold certainty, the lie collapsing in the space between them.