Chapter 11 - Ethan Chose Neither Side
Ethan stayed with Rebecca for three weeks.
Then he rented a small furnished apartment near his internship.
Rebecca offered to pay.
He refused.
“I need some distance from both of you.”
That hurt.
But she respected it.
Daniel did not.
He called Ethan repeatedly.
Asked him to testify that Rebecca had always been controlling.
Asked whether Rebecca talked about divorce before Chloe.
Asked whether his grandfather had disliked Daniel.
Ethan finally blocked him for a week.
Then he came to see Rebecca.
“Mom.”
“Yes?”
“Dad wants me to pick him.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
Rebecca thought carefully.
“No.”
“I want you to know the truth.”
“But you don’t have to hate your father for me.”
Ethan looked relieved.
Then guilty.
“I’m angry at him.”
“You’re allowed.”
“I’m angry at you too.”
Rebecca nodded.
“I know.”
“You knew for six months.”
“Yes.”
“You pretended everything was normal.”
“Yes.”
“You let me come home for Easter.”
“Yes.”
“You let Dad give that whole speech about family.”
Rebecca closed her eyes.
“I’m sorry.”
Ethan stared at her.
“Why?”
“Because I was afraid if I spoke before I had proof, he would convince everyone I was imagining it.”
Ethan looked down.
“That sounds like Dad.”
Rebecca said nothing.
Then Ethan asked.
“Did you ever love him?”
The question almost broke her.
“Yes.”
“Do you still?”
Rebecca stared toward the window.
“I love the person I spent twenty-three years believing he was.”
“I don’t know what to do with that yet.”
Ethan nodded slowly.
Neither did he.
That was the first honest conversation they had about the divorce.
No hero.
No villain simplified for comfort.
Just damage.
Choices.
May you like
Consequences.
And a family trying to figure out what could survive after the truth.
