I braced myself, but he only wanted to confirm that the repayment schedule would continue through the new year and that the routine household gifts were truly finished.

I said yes.

He told me he’d adjusted his business expenses, Claire had accepted an expanded role at work, and they were deciding whether to move the children to a more affordable school the following autumn.

I thanked him for updating me and didn’t offer advice he hadn’t requested.

That evening I looked at the calendar with Christmas Eve circled in red.

There was still a small part of me afraid of another slammed door.