Chapter 18 - Ethan’s Graduation
Two years after the divorce, Ethan graduated.
Rebecca and Daniel both attended.
Separate cars.
Separate hotel rooms.
Separate lives.
For weeks, Ethan worried they would make the ceremony uncomfortable.
They didn’t.
Rebecca sat on one side of him at dinner.
Daniel sat on the other.
They spoke politely.
No history lesson.
No financial argument.
No Chloe.
When Ethan crossed the stage, both stood.
Both cheered.
For one moment, Rebecca remembered the young Daniel holding newborn Ethan.
Terrified.
Proud.
Crying.
She looked at the older man beside her.
People could become people you no longer recognized without erasing who they once were.
After graduation, Ethan hugged them both.
Then he said.
“I have something to tell you.”
Rebecca smiled.
“What?”
“I got the Seattle job.”
Daniel looked surprised.
“Seattle?”
“Yes.”
“You’re moving?”
“Yes.”
Daniel immediately began.
“You know Mercer Global has openings—”
Ethan lifted one hand.
“Dad.”
“I want my own start.”
Daniel stopped.
Then nodded.
Rebecca smiled.
“Good.”
Ethan looked at her.
“You’re not sad?”
“Of course I’m sad.”
“That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go.”
Daniel looked at Rebecca.
Something passed between them.
Recognition.
May you like
Rebecca had spent most of her marriage being told love meant holding things together.
Now she knew sometimes love meant allowing departure.
