Chapter 13 - THE FRIENDSHIP THAT HAD TO END
Natalie sent Ethan one final message.
It arrived on his birthday.
I miss my best friend. I hope someday you remember who was there first.
He showed it to me.
Not because I demanded access to his phone.
Because he wanted transparency.
I read it.
Then handed the phone back.
“What do you want to do?”
He looked at me.
“I don't think there's anything left to say.”
I nodded.
He didn't respond.
A few weeks later, Mark told us Natalie had started therapy.
She was working through patterns in her relationships.
Learning to build friendships without needing to be someone's first priority.
I was glad.
But I didn't feel responsible for her progress.
That was new.
At Thanksgiving, Ethan and I hosted dinner.
Rachel came.
Mia came.
Mark and his wife came.
The house filled with laughter.
At one point, Mark raised his glass.
“To second chances.”
Everyone smiled.
I looked at Ethan.
He looked at me.
Then he raised his glass.
“To learning how to deserve them.”
I smiled.
May you like
And for the first time, I didn't feel like the only woman at the table trying to protect my marriage.
I felt like I had a partner.
