“And because after the first year…”
He stopped.
“What?”
“Shame.”
I stared.
“You stayed away because you were ashamed?”
“I had created something I didn’t know how to undo.”
“That might be the most cowardly answer you’ve given me.”
“Yes.”
Strangely, that answer helped.
It was ugly.
Human.
Not heroic.
Michael had not disappeared solely because he was some noble protector.
At some point, fear became habit.
Habit became shame.
Shame became distance.
I closed the folder.
“I don’t know if I can be your wife again.”
He swallowed.
“I know.”
“I may never be.”
“I know.”
“But if you’re going to be in Ryan and Emily’s lives, you don’t disappear again.”
“I won’t.”
“You don’t lie to protect us.”
“I won’t.”
“You don’t decide what we’re allowed to know.”
“I won’t.”
I leaned forward.
“And don’t make promises because you’re afraid I’ll leave. Make them because you’re prepared to live differently.”
