Chapter 7
The judge sentenced Linda to prison.
Not forever.
But long enough that she could no longer hurt anyone in my family.
Afterward, she tried to speak to me.
Court officers were leading her away when she turned around.
“Emily,” she said. “I made a mistake.”
I looked at her.
For years, I had imagined this moment.
I thought I would scream.
I thought I would tell her every cruel thing she had done.
Instead, I felt calm.
“A mistake is forgetting someone’s birthday,” I said. “You made a choice.”
She stared at me.
Then the officers took her away.
Outside the courthouse, Ethan waited by his car.
He had attended every day of the trial.
We had been separated for months.
He looked tired, thinner, older.
“I understand if you never forgive me,” he said.
I nodded.
“I am trying to understand why I let her control me.”
“That is your work,” I said.
“I know.”
He gave me an envelope.
Inside were divorce papers he had already signed.
No argument.
No demand.
No attempt to keep me trapped.
“I won’t make this harder,” he said.
I looked at him for a long moment.
“You should have protected me.”
“I know.”
“And I hope someday you become the man who protects people instead of asking them to endure pain for you.”
He wiped his eyes.
“I’m trying.”
I believed he was.
But believing that did not mean I had to return.
I signed the papers one week later.
When the divorce became final, I sat in my apartment with Ava and opened a bottle of sparkling cider.
“To new beginnings,” she said.
May you like
I raised my glass.
“To peace,” I answered.
