We both burst into laughter.

It was an unexpected moment.

Two women who had once been connected by betrayal were standing outside a restaurant, laughing together.

We weren’t suddenly best friends.

There was still pain between our histories.

But we had something important in common.

Two children who deserved better.

And a determination to stop making excuses for the same man.

***

When I returned home, Joel was sitting at the kitchen table.

He looked up as soon as I entered.

“Mom, can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“Why did Mrs. Ivy have Dad’s watch?”

I sat beside him.

“I found out.”

He hesitated.

“Does Dad know about us?”

My throat tightened.

“Yes, sweetheart. He knows.”

Joel looked at his hands.

“Then why doesn’t he come?”

For years, I’d responded to that question with excuses.

Maybe Dad was busy.

Maybe he’d forgotten.

Maybe something important had happened.