She knew we were separating and that finances were difficult.

She did not know about Noah’s recording or the false letter.

I told myself I was protecting her.

In truth, I could not bear another person seeing what my marriage had become.

When she visited the new house, she brought a basket of homemade bread and a bag of oranges.

She walked through the rooms slowly, admiring the oak tree, the sunlight, the green paint.

After Noah went outside to play, she sat beside me and asked what I had been carrying alone.