Claire’s husband, Simon, who’d pushed for a baby but wanted a boy, barely engaged with their 6-year-old daughter, Sophie. After Sophie asked why her dad didn’t love her, Claire forced a family day at the fair to get him to show up as a father.
At the fair, Simon stayed glued to his phone while Sophie fixated on a pink alien plush in a claw machine. Claire couldn’t win it, but the next day she spotted the same toy on the back seat of Simon’s car—then he denied it existed.
When Sophie later saw that exact alien at her friend Jimmy’s house, the boy innocently said “Simon gave it to me—just don’t tell he visits my mom.” Claire checked her friend Christine’s phone and found messages proving an affair with Simon.
Claire took Sophie back to the fair, secured an even bigger alien, called her lawyer, and served Simon divorce papers that night. She kicked him out, vowing to protect Sophie; the child fell asleep hugging her new alien, and Claire knew they’d be okay.
