“I have a daughter depending on me,” I said. “I don’t have enough energy left to protect you from the consequences of what you chose.”
Caleb lowered his eyes.
For once, he had nothing to say.
After he left, I checked my phone.
There was an email from the daycare.
A spot had opened for the exact month I was scheduled to return to work.
I accepted immediately.
It felt like more than childcare.
It felt like taking back one of the decisions Caleb had stolen from me.
I went upstairs.
My daughter was beginning to wake.
When I picked her up, she opened her eyes and settled against my chest.
My marriage was over.
Admitting that hurt more than I can explain.
I had loved Caleb.
Trusted him.
Built a life with him.
I truly believed we were bringing our daughter into a family that would last.
Part of me wanted to crawl into bed and stay there.
