I began to understand that being right about the finances did not automatically make me wise about everything else.

I needed to protect myself without making Tommy responsible for my anger.

I needed to respect boundaries even when it would be easier to bend them for temporary peace.

At work, I accepted a promotion that came with additional responsibility and a modest raise.

For the first time, I celebrated it without wondering whether Mark would dismiss the achievement as less important than his own.

My coworkers took me to lunch and signed a card.