Chapter 14
Chapter 14:
Nathan’s parents arrived the next morning, their faces drawn with the particular shame of people who’ve raised a disappointment.
I met them in my parents’ living room, wearing clean clothes and what I hoped was a composed expression. His mother—Carolyn, who’d taught me how to make Nathan’s favorite pie, who’d cried at our wedding, who’d already started knitting booties for the grandchild she’d never meet—looked like she hadn’t slept in days.
“Vivian.” She reached for my hands, and I let her take them. “His father and I… we’ve watched you grow up. We love you like a daughter. Nathan made a terrible mistake, but—” She hesitated. “Is there any chance you might give him another chance p>
I looked at this woman who had been so good to me. Who had welcomed me into her family with open arms. Who was now standing in my parents’ home, asking me to forgive the unforgivable.
“Mrs. Calloway.” I kept my voice gentle. “This is between Nathan and me. But I want you to know—I’ll never forget your kindness. Never p>
She understood. I saw it in her eyes: the recognition that some things, once broken, can’t be mended. She squeezed my hands once, then released them.
“Take care of yourself, sweetheart,” she said, and the way her voice cracked on the last word almost broke me.
They left without asking again. Sometimes wisdom means knowing when not to fight.
Cⲟntent ⲟriginally frⲟm gⲁl𝓝𝑜ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⫸𝒸𝗈𝗺
The car ride to the hospital was quiet. My mother sat beside me in the back seat, our fingers intertwined, while Dad navigated traffic with the focused attention of a man trying very hard not to think about what was coming.
My phone buzzed. Unknown number. I almost ignored it, but something made me answer.
“Vivian?” Nathan’s voice was urgent, panicked. “Where are you? Did you go to the hospital? Is the baby okay p>
Now he cares about the baby. I almost laughed.
“Listen,” he barreled on, not waiting for a response, “I know you’re upset, but I haven’t done anything wrong. I was just helping an old classmate. You’re overreacting. I’ve already told Meredith to leave—she’s gone, the apartment is empty, I’ll pick you up tomorrow and we can p>
“Nathan.” I cut him off, and the steadiness in my voice surprised even me. “Did you see what I left for you p>
A pause. “The… you mean the papers? Vivian, that’s ridiculous. You don’t actually want p>
“I want a divorce. I want you to sign the papers. And then I want you to go back to your ex-girlfriend, since she’s apparently who you’ve wanted all along.” I looked out the window at the passing trees, the ordinary world going about its ordinary business. “Weren’t you the one who told me to be understanding? Well, I understand now. I understand perfectly p>
“Vivian, wait p>
I hung up.
My mother squeezed my hand. “Whatever you decide, your father and I support you. But I have to ask—are you sure you can let him go? Ten years is a long time p>
I thought about it. Really thought about it, for the first time.
“Mom,” I said, “sunk costs don’t count when you’re making new decisions. I learned that in an economics class he paid for. Funny how things work out p>
She didn’t respond, but I felt her relax slightly beside me.