Ten minutes before our wedding, I heard my fiancé tell his sister, “Don’t worry about daycare anymore. Natalie will take care of all three kids starting Monday.”

We’d argued about finances and his habit of offering relatives weekend help before checking his schedule.

I’d considered those ordinary relationship problems.

Now I wondered how many of his decisions relied on me eventually surrendering.

“Did you promise Heather a year of childcare because you thought I’d agree,” I asked, “or because you thought I wouldn’t be able to refuse after the wedding?”

He stared.

“You’re making me sound like some kind of monster.”

“I asked you a question.”

“I love you.”

“That wasn’t an answer.”

He moved closer.

“Look, we can compromise. Maybe you keep working part-time. Maybe Heather finds someone else to cover a few days.”

“She canceled daycare because you promised her I would do it.”

“Then we’ll have to help her for a little while.”

“We?”

He raised both hands in frustration.

“Do you have to challenge every word I say?”

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