Now I understood that being chosen under pressure wasn’t the same as being loved responsibly.

“I want a marriage where you don’t lie to me,” I said.

“You’ve given me no reason to believe that’s possible.”

“People make mistakes.”

“Yes.

And people decide what to do after mistakes.”

I walked to my car while he stood under the courthouse awning.

The sky was gray, and I had a pile of laundry waiting at home.