Chapter 15 - Rebecca Finally Told Daniel Why She Laughed
The divorce mediation resumed eight months after the penthouse sale.
This time, Daniel looked different.
Less polished.
More tired.
He did not begin with accusations.
He said.
“Why did you laugh?”
Rebecca knew exactly what he meant.
That night.
“Take out the trash.”
Daniel pointing at her.
Chloe smiling.
Rebecca laughing once.
She had never explained it.
“Because I had spent six months terrified.”
Daniel stared.
“Of me?”
“Of losing everything.”
“My marriage.”
“My home.”
“My reputation.”
“My relationship with Ethan.”
“Then you pointed at me.”
“And suddenly I understood something.”
“What?”
Rebecca looked directly at him.
“You thought you had all the power.”
“You thought the home was yours.”
“You thought the company was yours.”
“You thought I was dependent.”
“You thought you could replace me and continue living inside a life I built with you.”
Daniel looked down.
“And I knew the penthouse had already sold.”
“So I laughed.”
“For one second, I saw the distance between the man you thought you were and the reality you had never bothered checking.”
Daniel’s face tightened.
“That sounds cruel.”
Rebecca nodded.
“Maybe it was.”
“I’m not proud of everything I felt.”
“But I am proud that I did not beg.”
Silence.
Then Daniel said.
“I did love you.”
Rebecca’s eyes filled with tears.
“I know.”
That surprised him.
“You believe me?”
“Yes.”
“I think you loved me.”
“But eventually, you loved what I allowed more.”
May you like
He closed his eyes.
For the first time, Daniel did not argue.
