In the days that followed, Denise called. She left long voicemails. Sent texts filled with regret and apologies.
We didn’t respond.
But while her betrayal was sharp, the deeper wound came from Adam’s hesitation. From the moment he hadn’t defended me. When the question of our child’s paternity was raised, he hadn’t said no.
He had paused.
We started therapy not long after. Every week, I sat beside him and spoke the words I hadn’t dared to before.
“It wasn’t just the test,” I said. “It was feeling like I was standing alone. You didn’t protect me.”
He looked at me, guilt in his eyes. “I know,” he said. “I was weak. But I want to earn you back.”
And he did.
He stopped making excuses for his mother. He listened, showed up, and held me through hard days. He didn’t just say he loved me—he proved it.
I forgave him. Not because I forgot what happened. But because he changed.
