“You chose for me. I can’t live with that.”
“Seth…”
“It’s over. Whatever it was, it’s over.”
“Just let me…”
“You betrayed my trust.”
He knows I am right. He knows there’s nothing he can do about it.
“I did it for the kids.”
“You did it for yourself. You wanted to win this case no matter what.”
“You can’t think it’s all about the case.”
“That’s what you told me.”
“I don’t…”
“I can never forgive you.”
“Seth…”
“Don’t come back. We don’t want you to come home to us. Never… ever again.”
I can feel my heart breaking, but I ignore it.
“I’ll make sure you get all your belongings.”
“Please…”
“I’ll see you in court tomorrow for the judge’s decision, but after that… After that, I would appreciate it if you would disappear from my life forever.”
THAT SAME EVENING, at home, the kids and I sat on the sofa, huddled together. I didn’t want anyone with us. We just needed to feel Mark’s words on us, to share them in our private space, and to imagine his warm, reassuring embrace around us.
“I understand why you didn’t want Rowan to read Dad’s letter,” Mason says, causing more unstoppable tears. “And I think Rowan should have listened to you.”
I stroke his hair and place a kiss on his forehead.
“It was something of yours.”
“Aren’t you angry with me for not telling you?”
“No,” Mason answers again for everyone. “It was meant for you. Dad wrote it for you.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be. None of this is your fault,” Logan says.
Emily is dangerously silent.
“Honey, are you OK?” I ask her.
She hugs me tighter. “I miss Uncle Rowan.”
Oh my God! Who’s going to stop my crying now?
