There it was.
No mystery.
No secret conspiracy.
Just a forgotten letter moved accidentally beside evidence of choices Mark had never intended Emily to see.
Sometimes life changed because of enormous events.
Other times, it changed because someone put the wrong papers in the right folder.
Margaret’s voice came through the speaker.
“Mark?”
“I’m here.”
“Your father regretted those months for the rest of his life.”
Mark stared at the letter.
“Why didn’t you leave him?”
Margaret was silent for a moment.
“I almost did.”
Emily looked toward the phone.
“But forgiveness and staying are not the same decision,” Margaret said. “I forgave him before I knew whether I wanted the marriage.”
Mark’s eyes met Emily’s.
Margaret continued.
“He changed. Slowly. I watched what he did, not what he promised. Eventually I chose him again.”
“Did you ever trust him the same way?”
“No.”
Mark flinched.
