I had spent years making room for his feelings.
It was time to make room for my own.
“I’ve arranged a consultation with an attorney,” I told him. “We’ll discuss the separation and work out what’s best for the children.”
His face changed.
“You’re leaving me?”
“I can’t stay married to someone I can’t trust.”
“But we have a family.”
“Yes, Ryan. We do. That’s why we’re going to handle this carefully.”
He stared at me.
Then he asked a question I hadn’t expected.
“What about the bracelets?”
I looked at him.
“What about them?”
“The one I gave you. Did you throw it away?”
I went to my handbag and removed the jewelry box.
I opened it.
He stared at the silver bracelet.
“I thought you loved it,” he whispered.
“I did.”
I lifted it from the box.
“But I loved the promise more.”
He began crying again.
This time, I didn’t stay to comfort him.
