Joseph didn't do well with his wife gone and neither did Claire without her mum. He was quiet and withdrawn ever since and Claire could do nothing to help him. Not while grieving herself. After many long conversations, Claire suggested an idea for her father to go to Italy, to live with his elder mother, away from all that reminded him of Leanne and everything that they ever had to live through.
Claire supported him when he moved and after weeks of looking after him, she had finally space to grieve herself. It wasn't easy.
Claire returned to work after bereavement leave. It was solely a distraction at this stage.
Christopher was understanding in giving her time off and he took off some of the responsibilities to make it easier for her which she was thankful for. But even then, she struggled. She felt many times before that she was beyond the breaking point, but now, her world has crumbled in a new and even more agonising way. She has never felt this alone before.
At the weekends she went back to the cemetery to lay fresh flowers and speak to the gravestone that was her mother's grave. Now she understood why Gabriel came to her grave. She understood his pain and the little comfort it brought to speak to the cold stone and have those imaginary conversations with someone long gone. She understood his agony when he thought he lost his mother and then her. She understood his anger.
But also, she was so occupied with her pain that she shut down any thoughts and any hope that had anything to do with Gabriel. She simply didn't have the energy to deal with more than one heartache.
Her routine became work and bed as soon as she stepped into her flat. Even Rosa's visits couldn't lift her, but they became very rare. Claire could tell that Rosa was dealing with something big herself.
Gabriel noticed her absence during the long weeks and that absence became increasingly unbearable. He attended many social events where Crimson Tech was known to have a presence but there was no luck. He became frustrated and irritated.
He stood by the wall disengaged from the crowd through every single event, waiting and observing the people in the hope of seeing that one face that would make his heart flutter.
After three months he approached Christopher Hayden who was in a much greater mood than Gabriel had ever seen him in before.
"Mr Hayden." Gabriel gave Christopher a welcoming nod but his face remained cold and unexcited. He was filled with worry and dread that Claire had left and vanished, or that something had happened to her.
"Good evening, Mr Moore. How is your evening so far?"
"Alright," Gabriel replied shortly as he wasn't keen on the small talk. "I noticed the lack of the presence of your Chief Sustainability Officer in recent days."
"Miss Cooper?" Christopher raised his eyebrows. "Yes, indeed. Elise hasn't been attending any social events."
"Isn't it her responsibility in her current role?"
"No. Temporarily she's exempt from them. She is not obliged to attend any of the social events."
"Why the change?"
"This is due to Elise's personal circumstances. I do not wish to disclose anything further on that matter."
"Hmm… I see."
"Mr Moore, I don't think I have introduced you to my wife." Chris pointed at a woman beside him. The woman smiled at him in a charming way but this had no effect on him. "This is my wife, Emilia Vincent-Hayden. She was the one who recruited Elise into her current role."
"Didn't you just get divorced?" Gabriel asked directly. Christopher looked at Emilia who shifted uncomfortably.
"It turned out to be a mistake. I am glad that we resolved this and that we managed to get back together."
"So… you divorced Emilia?" Gabriel furrowed his brows in judgment.
"Yes."
"I am glad to see that you are back with the love of your life."
"I hope that you will find a way to get yours back," Emilia said with a kind smile. Gabriel momentarily scowled at her while Chris looked at Emilia quizzically.
"What do you mean?"
"Oh." Emilia blushed in embarrassment. "I'm sorry. I didn't intend to say anything wrong. I spoke to someone who mentioned you and your wife."
"My wife?" Gabriel repeated. "Who was it?"
"I am not sure if I should share their identity. It was someone from the FBI."
"What did they say about me and my wife?"
"They mentioned that you both had an unfortunate encounter with the same group as I did when I was kidnapped. It left you both harmed and separated. I cannot imagine how difficult that must've been for you both."
"What group?" Gabriel widened his eyes. Emilia pursed her lips before she leaned in closer and whispered.
"Group X." she looked around nervously to make sure that no one was near enough to hear it. "The agent mentioned that unfortunately you were both harmed whereas I was lucky to avoid any major harm."
"I am glad that you did. Congratulations on your marriage," Gabriel said before giving Emilia and Christopher a nod. Something was causing him discomfort and didn't feel right about Emilia's words. Who else knew that Claire was his wife, if she ever actually was his wife? Why did FBI get involved in with him and Claire? Who are Group X? What harm did they do to him and his wife? Having now more questions than answers, he left the event and went back home that didn't quite feel like home.
Weeks have passed without a sign of Claire.