“Claire, please answer your phone right now.

Mom thought someone was trying to illegally evict us from the house.

I do not understand what is happening here.

These people keep talking about your aunt’s estate.

I know you are furious with me, but can you please just call me back?”

There was not a single word of apology in his message.

He did not apologize for grabbing my wrist, nor for the years of broken promises that dissolved as soon as they became inconvenient for him.

Strangely enough, I did not feel the familiar sting of emotional disappointment this time.