Her voice trembled.
“You don’t decide alone that you’re protecting me by shutting me out.”
Ryan stood slowly.
“I understand.”
“No more pretending.”
“No more.”
“No more disappearing into coffee shops and fake workdays.”
“No more.”
“And never again use our daughter as an excuse to run from something you’re afraid to face.”
Ryan began crying again.
“I won’t.”
Melissa didn’t immediately forgive him.
And I was glad she didn’t.
Some wounds aren’t healed by one apology.
Some trust has to be rebuilt one honest day at a time.
But she didn’t ask him to leave either.
That was theirs to work through.
Part 7 — What Hope Gave Back to Us
I stood near the doorway and watched them.
Melissa was sitting with Hope against her chest.
Ryan had lowered himself beside her.
He wasn’t holding the baby yet.
He seemed almost afraid that he hadn’t earned the right.
