I placed the two letters together in a new folder labeled For Emily.

It seemed fair that my life contain one document that did not need to be submitted to a lawyer.

Later I met Nathaniel outside the girls’ school after a parent event.

He asked why I looked thoughtful.

“I found something from our marriage,” I said.

“It reminded me that leaving took courage.”

He didn’t ask to read it.

“I wish I had understood sooner,” he said.