Clara sighed to herself but gave a stiff nod.
Lance's face lit up with triumph as he told Pauline, "Auntie, relax. Sure, Clara messed up before, but now that she's back on track, I wanna make this work."
Clara's stomach churned. How could someone lie through their teeth like this?
She scorched Lance with a glare that could melt steel, but he just grinned. "C'mon babe, don't be mad. Let's play nice for your mom's sake—how 'bout we make it official right now?"
Clara nearly laughed in his face. "Cut the crap with the performative acts. It's meaningless."
Pauline nodded eagerly. "Exactly! Why don't you two just run to the courthouse this week? Get it done!"
Clara's vision darkened—she'd walked straight into this trap.
Lance shot her a sideways glance before smoothly agreeing, "You got i
