“I did. You called it my ‘little pennies’ and said you didn’t have time to hear about it.”

For once, Brian had nothing to say.

Then fear replaced his pride.

“We can fix this.”

“No.”

“We could remarry.”

I stared at him.

“You think I divorced you to frighten you?”

He stepped closer.

“We could run everything together again.”

“I left because I no longer wanted a life with you.”

Beatrice reached toward me.

“We can start fresh.”

I stepped back.

“You still don’t understand.”

I remembered all those mornings.

Five o’clock.

Cold floors.

Burned fingers.

Cracked skin from cleaning products.

Entire family meals prepared while other people celebrated.

I remembered rumors about Brian’s affairs.

Then the day I finally saw proof.

I had spent years shrinking myself because I thought sacrifice was the same thing as love.

It wasn’t.

Before Beatrice could say more, Charles entered the lobby.