"Yes, ma'am."
Claudia stepped closer, glancing briefly to be sure Benedict was away from ear shot.
"Sweetheart," she murmured, "tell me honestly…"
She hesitated one more second, then asked the question that made Sera's stomach drop and flutter all at once.
"…did my son have sex with you at all?"
Sera's face flushed—hot, quick, and humiliating. "No… no… nothing like that," she managed, eyes darting downward.
Claudia watched her carefully, reading all the micro-expressions Sera couldn't hide. There was no shame in the older woman's face; only a soft sigh and a flicker of disappointment wrapped in love. "Well," she murmured, straightening Sera's collar, "I did give it a shot. Heaven knows I've tried everything short of hitting him with a frying pan. Maybe someday I'll get another opportunity to make him give me grandchildren."
"He… doesn't want kids?"
"Oh, darling. It's a long and complicated story. One far too heavy for you to carry today."
