Chapter 5 - THE PRICE OF FIVE MONTHS
Margaret Ellis's office smelled of coffee and polished wood.
She listened while I explained everything.
Then she asked questions.
“Do you want a divorce?”
I looked down.
“I don't know.”
She nodded.
“That's okay. You can understand your options before deciding.”
I exhaled.
For the first time in days, someone wasn't demanding that I react immediately.
Margaret explained the financial issues we needed to review.
The house.
Retirement accounts.
Debts.
Potential marital spending related to the affair.
She advised me not to hide assets, empty joint accounts, or make impulsive transfers.
I nodded.
Then she asked:
“Do you feel safe at home?”
I considered.
“Yes. Daniel has never been physically violent.”
“Good. Emotional safety matters too, but I want to understand whether there are immediate concerns.”
I shook my head.
“Mostly, I feel like I don't know him.”
Margaret's expression softened.
“That can be frightening in its own way.”
***
That afternoon, Daniel called.
I answered.
“Amelia, please come home.”
I stared out Rachel's kitchen window.
“I need time.”
“I ended it.”
My heart lurched.
“What?”
“Claire and I are done.”
I closed my eyes.
“When?”
“This morning.”
I laughed bitterly.
“After I found out?”
Silence.
Then he said:
“I know I hurt you.”
I swallowed.
“You lied to me every day for five months.”
“I know.”
“You made me think something was wrong with me.”
“Amelia—”
“You watched me try to fix our marriage while you were sleeping with someone else.”
He began crying.
I had heard Daniel cry only twice before.
Once when his father died.
Once when we lost a pregnancy four years earlier.
The sound still reached something tender inside me.
I hated that.
“I love you,” he whispered.
I looked toward the window.
“Maybe you do.”
He went silent.
Then I said:
“But love doesn't explain what you did.”
***
That evening, Rachel found me sitting on the porch.
“Do you want to forgive him?”
I considered.
“I want my life back.”
She sat beside me.
“Those aren't always the same thing.”
I nodded.
“I know.”
We watched the rain.
Then I whispered:
“I don't know who I am without him.”
May you like
Rachel took my hand.
“Then maybe it's time to find out.”
