It was a pain-tinged relief for Claire to see she'd misunderstood, that he wasn't offering that. The answer, however he intended to leave it for her, was enough – and, she realized with another pang, was simultaneously too much. She had been right, this was something a daughter should never ask her father, directly or partially.
"I'm sorry for bringing it up." But more sorry she wasn't normal, that because of what she was the thoughts had to be thought, let alone spoken out loud.