“I was just looking at Nolan’s drawings on the refrigerator,” she said, gesturing toward the kitchen.

“He loves the stars,” I said, sitting in the armchair opposite her.

“He wants to be an astrophysicist.”

Renee smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

“He has a very clear space of his own here,” she noted, writing something down.

“It is a small apartment, Renee,” I said, keeping my voice steady.

“But every corner of it belongs to him.”

She nodded slowly, looking at the bookshelf filled with children’s science books and worn novels.

“I visited his father’s house yesterday,” Renee said quietly.

My chest tightened, but I did not speak.

“It is a very grand estate,” she continued, her pencil hovering over the paper.

“Six bedrooms, a pool, and a fully gated perimeter.”

“Yes,” I said. “Grant always wanted to show his success.”

“But it felt very quiet,” Renee said.

She looked up at me, her expression neutral but observant.

“There were no drawings on the refrigerator there, Claire.”

“Grant doesn’t like clutter,” I said.

“He has a housekeeper who tidies up daily.”