My hand tightened around the purse strap.
If I stayed, I could put off the spare room and the fear of having nowhere to go when the six weeks ended.
“Stay while we sort it out,”
But I’d already seen how easily he broke a promise when keeping it became inconvenient.
“I hope you do change,” I said. “I’m still leaving.”
Gerald started to speak.
I walked out before I could be persuaded to sit down again.
Dana’s spare room barely held us. Two portable cribs squeezed between the bed and the window.
“I’m still leaving.”
My suitcase stood against the wall.
That first night, I settled Ava, then Mia, and lay down with my suitcase still unpacked.
Ryan’s dismissal was confirmed on Monday.
I returned to work that week and began arranging the separation.
Money and parenting arrangements remained unresolved. There was still no deposit for a place of our own.
