I wished that too.
After Mom left, I checked my phone.
Seth had sent six messages.
The first two contained apologies.
The third explained his financial pressure. The fourth complained that Heather had requested repayment for months.
The fifth proposed meeting Reverend Thomas to reconcile.
The sixth, received at 10:43 a.m., read:
If you could just help Heather for a week or two, I think everyone would calm down. We can deal with us after that.
I stared at the message.
Even now, Seth was making reconciliation conditional on my willingness to solve the problem he’d created.
I drafted a reply, erased it, and tried again.
Finally, I sent:
I will not be taking care of Heather’s children. Please contact me only about exchanging our belongings and handling the remaining wedding expenses. I need space.
He answered immediately.
I can’t believe you’re being this cold.
I placed my phone facedown.
