There went the first quiet week I had imagined as Elliott’s wife.

I could regret losing it without asking the boys to feel responsible for what I was doing with the money.

“Don’t make them live as though their place depends on your wedding,” Marjorie said.

“I won’t.”

“Don’t make yourself pretend you aren’t giving anything up either.”

I sat back.

That was harder.

I wanted to appear certain enough that nobody could accuse me of making a mistake.