“Knowing that gives you a chance to do something different.”

He glanced at Tessa, who was carefully painting little stars along the edge of the birdhouse.

“That’s what I’m going to do.”

This time, I believed him—not because of the promise, but because I had watched him keep smaller promises every day.

PART 20

At the hearing, I did not have to sit within arm’s reach of Harold.

Our attorney helped arrange seating, and a victim advocate walked us through what to expect.

We did not bring Tessa.