his explanation erased what he had done.
It couldn’t.
But because for months I had been trying to survive one version of my life.
Now someone had opened a door and shown me another.
And I didn’t know which one was true.
Maybe both were.
Maybe Ethan had lied because he thought he was protecting us.
Maybe he had also controlled me because that was who he had become.
Good intentions did not erase bad choices.
Secrets did not become harmless simply because they had reasons.
“Why did you let me believe you were having an affair?” I asked.
His answer was almost a whisper.
“Because I thought anger would make you leave.”
I lowered my hand.
“What?”
“I needed you away from the house.”
I could barely speak.
“So you destroyed our marriage to make me leave?”
“No.”
“Then what would you call it?”
“I thought we could fix
