Chương 5 - ROMAN LOST CLAIRE TOO
Claire ended things with Roman.
Not the other way around.
I found out because she sent one final message.
I told him I’m done. I won’t contact you again. I’m sorry.
I did not respond.
Later, Roman told me the rest during mediation.
Claire had asked:
“If Savannah forgave you tomorrow, would you come back to me?”
Roman could not answer.
That was her answer.
She left Carter Strategic Communications voluntarily.
Roman did not destroy her career.
Good.
Some old version of him might have.
He paid the company expenses determined to be legitimate business costs.
The personal expenses he reimbursed from his own share during the divorce.
All $187,420.
Dana enjoyed that number.
I did too, slightly.
Roman moved out of the estate.
That surprised everyone.
The house technically belonged to a marital property trust.
I could remain during proceedings.
Roman said:
“Noelle shouldn’t lose her nursery because I made a mess.”
Reasonable.
I stayed three months.
Then decided I did not want it either.
Too many gates.
Too many cameras.
Too much of my life designed around Roman’s fear.
I rented a townhouse in Lincoln Park.
Three bedrooms.
Small backyard.
No guardhouse.
Roman hated the security.
I chose the company anyway.
He survived.
Margaret came with me.
Not as staff.
She retired from Roman’s employment.
Then announced:
“I’m helping you because I want to.”
I said:
“You’re seventy.”
“Sixty-eight.”
“Sorry.”
“You should be.”
She became Noelle’s honorary grandmother almost immediately.
Roman visited according to the temporary parenting plan.
Three afternoons a week.
No overnight visits while Noelle was newborn.
Then gradually more.
I did not supervise.
He was not dangerous to our daughter.
Controlling husband did not automatically equal unsafe father.
I refused to turn nuance into revenge.
Roman learned diaper changes badly.
Noelle peed on a custom Italian shirt.
I laughed for almost five minutes.
He stared.
“You're enjoying this.”
“Immensely.”
For one second we felt married again.
Then the moment passed.
May you like
That hurt.
Healing often includes missing the person you still know you cannot live with.
