Before that phone call, I might have interpreted his suggestion as kindness.
I might have believed he wanted me to enjoy more time with our daughter.
But now I heard something entirely different.
Dependence.
He was telling another woman he intended to divorce me while encouraging me to give up my income.
If I resigned and he left, I’d have to rebuild my career while caring for an infant.
I didn’t know whether he had deliberately calculated that.
But the possibility frightened me.
“I’ll think about it,” I said.
He smiled.
“That’s all I’m asking.”
Then he kissed my head and went downstairs.
I sat motionless for several minutes.
Finally, I opened my laptop.
My manager, Renee, had emailed to confirm my return date.
I’d delayed answering because Elon and I hadn’t finished discussing childcare.
Now I knew I couldn’t afford to keep postponing my decision.
