Meanwhile, Vance was discovering that I would not return simply because he decided it was time.

He called from numbers I didn’t recognize.

Some messages apologized; others warned that I was destroying his career.

He insisted he’d been “misled” about how serious the labor was, though the recording of my emergency call and his own messages told a different story.

Ruth handled communication about our separation.

She urged me to preserve relevant evidence but avoid arguments that served no useful purpose.

Vance could have information about Oliver through appropriate channels.