“Even if Daddy doesn’t have money?”

“Even if the roof falls into the soup.”

Lucy’s mouth trembled. Then she threw her arms around Rebecca’s neck. “Please stay, Mom.”

The word broke something open inside Rebecca. She held the child tightly, tears burning her eyes. Over Lucy’s shoulder, she saw Matthew standing near the front door.

He had returned without either of them hearing, his face filled with an emotion so raw that Rebecca looked away.

That evening, after Lucy fell asleep, Rebecca sat across from Matthew at the wooden table. “I’m not signing the annulment.”