“Tell me what’s going on,” he said.

I sighed. “You know how miserable I’ve been.”

He nodded.

“It just keeps getting worse and worse. I can’t take it anymore, Dad. I’ve tried over and over again, but I’ve reached my breaking point. If I stay with him any longer, I don’t know what will happen or what I’ll become.”

My father reached over and squeezed my shoulder. “And you don’t love him, not at all?”

I shook my head. “I don’t think so. I mean, I will always love him in a way, but I’m not in love with him. I haven’t been for such a long time. I can’t even remember what that kind of love feels like.”

“I knew this would happen,” he said after a moment.

“What do you mean?”

“You married him too young, Caley. You two had issues before then, issues that told me you wouldn’t last. People change. They grow apart. You two are a perfect example of people who loved each other but outgrew the other.”

“Why didn’t you say anything before now?” I asked, shocked.

“Because it’s not my life to live. It’s yours. You have to make your own choices even if they end up being the wrong ones.”

“Do you think leaving him is the wrong choice?” I asked, needing my dad’s advice now more than ever.

He shook his head. “No. I just wish Amelia weren’t a part of the equation. This is going to change her entire future.”

“I know, but I think it’ll change for the better. She’s so young now. She won’t remember the fighting and screaming. She won’t have to watch me cry over and over again.”

“It sounds as if you’ve really thought this through,” he said.

“I have. I’ve thought about it so many times, trying to find an answer that would work best for everyone. This is the best I can do.”

“What about Joey? How did he take it?”

“Not well at all. He kicked me out.” I sighed. “I was hoping I could stay with you for a while until I can find a place of my own. I have a little money saved up already. I just need a bit more.”

“You can stay with us for as long as you want, but I fear you might not want to. Your mother isn’t going to make this easy for you.”

“What do you think I should do?” I asked.

“I’ll give you money to rent a new place.” He grinned. “Just don’t tell your mother, okay?”

I frowned. “How on earth do you stand her? All these years, and I can’t remember one time when you fought with her or acted like you were anything but happy. How is that possible? We both know how she is.”

He chuckled. “Caley, when you love someone the way I love your mother, you look past the bad and focus on only the good.”

“I suppose,” I said. “I wouldn’t know what that kind of love feels like.”

“Maybe not, but I think you will one day. Joey wasn’t the right man for you, but I have no doubt that you’ll find someone who will love you the way I love your mother.”

“I hope so,” I said, my mind drifting to Ethan. “God, I hope so.”

I spent the rest of my Sunday at my parents’ house, trying to avoid my mother at all costs.

After returning to the house from my walk with my father, I had lugged my bags and Amelia’s into my room. I spent most of the afternoon unpacking our stuff and organizing it inside my old dresser and closet. Once that was done, I stripped my bedding and threw it into the washer. It had been years since I’d slept in here.

When evening rolled around, I had my bed made and the room sorted. Amelia was playing on her mat on the floor. I sat on the edge of my bed and watched her, smiling for the first time in what felt like days. She was good at that—making me smile. Even in the worst of times, simply watching her play would bring me more joy than I’d ever thought possible.

When my phone vibrated next to me on the bed, I picked it up to see a text from Ethan.

Everything okay?

I instantly felt guilty over not texting him earlier. I had been so preoccupied with my room and avoiding my mother that I’d forgotten to let him know I was okay.

Yeah, I’m good. I’m at my parents’ house now. I’ve moved back into my old room.

That’s good. I’m sure you’ll be happier, staying with them. Anyway, I won’t bother you. I just wanted to check on you.

I smiled. Ethan worried about me more than anyone else I knew.

Thanks for that. I’ll fill you in on everything tomorrow at work, okay?

Sure. I’ll talk to you then.

I tossed my phone back down onto the bed and turned my attention back to Amelia. It wasn’t long before my dad was knocking on my bedroom door, letting me know that dinner was ready.

Annoyed that I would have to deal with my mother again, I scooped Amelia up off the floor and followed him toward the kitchen.

Before we walked in, he stopped and turned to me. “I had a talk with her. Just don’t piss her off, and we’ll be fine.”

“Thanks?” I said, more of a question than an actual thanks.

He winked at me before heading into the kitchen. My mother was already at the table, waiting for us. A dish full of meatloaf sat in the center of the table.

I dragged Amelia’s high chair over to the table between my chair and my dad’s. He fastened her in as I grabbed two containers of baby food out of the cabinet.

“Chicken and peas, kiddo,” I said as I sat down and opened the jars. “Eat up.”

I tried not to wrinkle my nose at the smell as I started feeding her. Apparently, it tasted better than it smelled because she gave me no fuss over eating.

My mother put a piece of meatloaf on my plate without comment before turning her attention away from me. I nibbled on it as I fed Amelia. My baby, always unaware of tension, babbled and giggled as she ate.

The kitchen was almost completely silent with Amelia as the only source of sound. I intentionally kept my gaze away from my mother, hoping that she would, in turn, leave me alone as well.

When dinner was finished, I put my plate in the sink and grabbed a wet cloth to wipe Amelia’s face and hands. Satisfied with my work, I set her free from her high chair. She crawled across the kitchen floor and out into the hallway. My father followed behind her.

I started to go with them, but I heard my mother’s loud huff behind me. I stopped, wondering if it would be worth it to stop or if I should keep going. Either way, she was going to be pissed. If I delayed, it would be worse.

Decision made, I turned to face her. “Did you say something?”

She glared at me. “You’re not going to live here without helping out. I cooked dinner, so it’s your responsibility to do the dishes.”

“That’s fine. I can do them,” I said, not wanting to start an argument. Besides, I really didn’t mind helping out around the house.

“Good, and while we’re on the subject, you’re responsible for your and Amelia’s laundry. I’m not your maid.”

“Okay.” I walked past her to the sink.

My parents hadn’t moved into the twenty-first century yet, so they didn’t have a dishwasher. I turned the faucet on and started filling the sink with warm water and soap. I could feel my mother standing behind me, watching my every move. I ignored her as I started scrubbing plates.

After a few minutes, she finally gave up and walked away.

I had no doubt that my stay here would be pure hell.

I made it out of the house the next day without seeing my mother. My dad had beaten me to work, like normal. When I walked in, he was standing at the counter, staring off into space.