Chapter 7 - THE DAY I STOPPED BEGGING
Ryan came to see the twins through a temporary parenting arrangement.
The visit took place at a family center.
A staff member was present.
I waited in the adjoining room.
Through the window, I watched Ryan hold Lily awkwardly.
She began crying.
He looked startled.
Then he tried rocking her.
Grace started crying too.
Ryan glanced toward the staff member.
“I don't know what they want.”
I closed my eyes.
For months, I'd imagined the moment he would finally hold our daughters.
I'd pictured tears.
Joy.
Love.
Instead, he looked overwhelmed.
And perhaps that was fair.
He didn't know them.
He hadn't been there.
But what hurt was realizing how little effort he'd made to change that.
After the visit, Ryan approached me.
“Claire.”
I looked at him.
“Yes?”
He hesitated.
“Can we talk?”
“About the girls?”
“About us.”
I shook my head.
“Not today.”
His jaw tightened.
“You're really doing this?”
I looked at him.
“Yes.”
“Divorce?”
“Yes.”
He stared.
“Over one mistake?”
I felt strangely calm.
“Ryan, you told me there were multiple women.”
He looked away.
“You know what I mean.”
“No.”
I stepped closer.
“I don't think you understand what happened.”
He frowned.
I continued.
“You didn't just cheat.”
My voice remained steady.
“You lied to me. You lied to other women. You lied about our daughters. You spent money we needed. And when I found out, you blamed me.”
Ryan said nothing.
I took a breath.
“I spent months begging you to be present in our marriage.”
My eyes filled.
“I'm done begging.”
May you like
Then I walked away.
And for the first time, I didn't look back.
