The way he had asked, “Was he good to you?”
Not, Were you happy?
Not, Did you love him?
Was he good to you?
I had answered without hesitation.
“Yes.”
Daniel had looked away.
At the time, I thought my answer had made him sad because perhaps someone had hurt him.
Now I wasn’t sure.
“How much does he look like Michael?” I asked.
“Enough that I noticed.”
I walked into the bathroom and stared at myself in the mirror.
My green dress lay crumpled near the bathtub.
Gold earrings sat beside the sink.
The woman looking back at me no longer seemed bold or glamorous.
She looked foolish.
Old enough to know better.
“What have I done?” I whispered.
“Mom?”
I covered my mouth.
Had I slept with my husband’s son?
Had Daniel known?
Had he approached me intentionally?
The thought made nausea rise in my throat.
“Mom, listen to me,” Emily said quickly. “Dad said Daniel wasn’t his son.”
