The promise felt almost childish now.

I pressed send.

Subject: Sell immediately.

Then I turned off the lamp and slept better than I had in months….

By breakfast, I was calm enough to frighten myself.

Eric interpreted it as victory.

He kissed my forehead as though nothing had happened. “Good. You’re learning.”

I smiled.

So did Diane.

For the next twelve days, I made myself invisible.

I stopped objecting when Madison ordered furniture for the nursery. I stayed silent when Diane gave a locksmith permission to make herself a key. I even listened quietly when Eric announced that after the baby arrived, his mother might move in permanently “to help.”