Chapter 19 - THE SENTENCE THAT ENDED MY MARRIAGE
Our divorce mediation happened four months after the twins were born.
By then, both babies were thriving.
Caleb still had medical follow-ups.
But he smiled constantly.
Sophie had discovered that screaming made adults move faster.
I privately considered that a useful family lesson.
Travis looked older when I saw him at mediation.
He had moved into a small apartment.
He was attending therapy.
He had stopped contact with Deborah.
At least according to his attorney.
The criminal investigation was still unresolved.
Harold faced scrutiny over the lock.
Deborah faced potential charges related to attempted witness interference after the envelope incident.
Travis’s own legal situation depended on the prosecutor.
But none of that was why we were there.
We were there to end our marriage.
Travis asked for one private conversation.
Rebecca looked at me.
“It’s your choice.”
I agreed.
The mediator remained nearby.
Travis sat across from me.
For a long time, neither of us spoke.
Finally, he said.
“I keep replaying that morning.”
“I don’t.”
He looked surprised.
“I used to.”
I continued.
“Now I replay everything before it.”
His eyes lowered.
“All the moments I told myself weren’t serious.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I know.”
He looked at me.
That answer seemed to hurt him.
“You believe me?”
“I believe you’re sorry.”
His eyes filled with tears.
“Then is there any chance…”
“No.”
The word came easily.
He nodded.
“I figured.”
I leaned forward.
“You still think the worst thing you did was go to the mall.”
“Wasn’t it?”
“No.”
“The worst thing you did was teach me not to trust myself.”
He went completely still.
“By the time I was in labor, I was afraid to call an ambulance because I thought maybe you were right.”
“I thought maybe I was dramatic.”
“I thought maybe my pain wasn’t important.”
My voice shook.
“That took years.”
Travis began crying.
I did not.
“That is why this marriage cannot be repaired.”
He wiped his face.
“I understand.”
And for once, I believed him.
He signed the settlement.
May you like
So did I.
The marriage that began with two people promising to protect each other ended with two signatures separated by six feet of conference room table.
