Every time my brother-in-law drove me home, I would lose consciousness and wake up with unexplained aches and pains. My husband would only laugh and say, “You’re just out of shape, that’s all.” After the fourth ride, I secretly slipped a voice recorder into my purse and said nothing. That night, I listened to a phone conversation between the two of them that revealed my blackouts had never been accidental.

Now I was learning that relationships could survive honest needs.

One weekend, Priya suggested we visit the botanical garden.

At the entrance, I hesitated beside a parked black SUV that looked like Marcus’s.

My body reacted before my mind could place it.

Priya saw me freeze and asked whether I wanted to leave.

I said I wanted to wait a minute.

We stood beneath a tree while families passed us with strollers.

A child laughed at a fountain.