I stared at the message.
Even now, Seth was making reconciliation conditional on my willingness to solve the problem he’d created.
I drafted a reply, erased it, and tried again.
Finally, I sent:
I will not be taking care of Heather’s children. Please contact me only about exchanging our belongings and handling the remaining wedding expenses. I need space.
He answered immediately.
I can’t believe you’re being this cold.
I placed my phone facedown.
I wanted to remind him how deeply I’d loved him, how I’d imagined growing old together, and how I’d entered the church Saturday believing I was marrying my closest friend.
Nothing about those feelings was cold.
But I was exhausted from explaining my emotions to someone who used them to challenge my decisions.
Around noon, Heather called.
I hesitated before answering, thinking about her children.
“Hi,” I said.
“I’m sorry to bother you.”
