“I spent nine years trusting him,” I said. “I didn’t notice either.”
Tears filled her eyes.
“I don’t want to continue the relationship.”
I looked at her.
“Are you sure?”
“I can’t build a future with someone who lied to both of us.”
She rested a hand on her stomach.
“But he’s still the baby’s father. I’ll have to figure out how to handle that.”
I nodded.
“Our problems shouldn’t become your child’s burden.”
For the first time since the airport, I felt something unexpected.
Relief.
Not because the situation was fixed.
It wasn’t.
But because Emily and I were finally hearing the truth from each other instead of relying on Tucker’s carefully constructed stories.
Two weeks later, Tucker’s family gathered to celebrate his grandfather’s birthday.
His aunt Ruth invited me.
She said I’d been part of the family for years and shouldn’t feel excluded simply because Tucker and I were having difficulties.
