Victoria: So, you thought YOU could hide this from me?! Your little escapade with HER!!!
no, I was not hiding anything from you.
pauses, smirking Oh, really? You expect me to believe that? After all these years, you think you can fool me? crosses arms
yes, Victoria. I'm not hiding anything from you.
steps closer, eyes narrowing Don't lie to me, Claire. I've seen the way you look at her. There's something there, something you're not telling me.
laughs And what do you know about the way I look at her? You've been locked away in your own little world for years, Victoria. You don't know shit about what goes on in my life.
grabs Claire's arm forcefully Don't you dare talk to me like that! I know damn well what goes on in your life, and I won't be made a fool of anymore!
smiles coldly Then enlighten me, oh wise one. What do you think goes on in my life besides dealing with your betrayal?
releases Claire's arm and takes a step back, breathing heavily You think this is a game, don't you?
no, I don't think this is a game. But I do think that you've twisted everything around to suit your own agenda.
clenches her fists, voice trembling with anger You have no idea what I've been through, Claire. Five years in that hellhole, all because of your betrayal!
I told you already, Victoria. I didn't put you in jail. I was just getting away from you. From everyone.
takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself Look, Claire, I may have made mistakes in the past, but that doesn't mean we can't find a way to move forward.
sighs Move forward? How can we possibly move forward when the very ground we stand on is tainted by lies and betrayal?
takes a step closer to Claire, voice filled with determination We start by being honest with each other. No more secrets, no more lies.
Fine, no more secrets. I'm tired of living a lie anyway. My father left us. He used to come by and check up on us every now and then, but one day he just didn't show up. He left my mother, who was pregnant with me at the time, and never came back.
softens her gaze, reaching out to touch Claire's arm I'm so sorry, Claire. I had no idea... I never knew.
looks at Victoria, tears welling up in her eyes It's okay, Victoria. That was a long time ago.
gently wipes away Claire's tears I can't imagine what you went through, losing your father like that. But I want you to know that I'm here for you now.
smiles weakly Thank you, Victoria. That means a lot to me.
pulls Claire into a tight embrace We're going to get through this together, Claire. No more secrets, no more lies. We'll rebuild our lives and find a way to heal.
nods Okay, Victoria. Let's start fresh.
smiling with renewed determination First things first, Claire. We need to get rid of all the remnants of the past.
smiles Yeah, let's burn it all down.
grabs Claire's hand and leads her to an empty room This will be our new safe space. A place where we can start fresh and leave the past behind.
laughs softly A safe space. I like that idea.
pauses, looking determined Before we can fully move on, we need to address the elephant in the room. The real reason you left me.
smiles sadly Fine. Let's address it.
takes a deep breath, trying to keep her emotions in check It's about your ex-lover, isn't it? The one you left me for.
smiles bitterly Yes, it's about him. But let's not dwell on it, Victoria. He's gone now. Just like my father.
grabs Claire's hand firmly No, Claire. We can't just forget about it. We need to confront him, demand answers.