Mariana read it but did not reply immediately.

“Do you want me to say anything to her?” I asked.

“No.

This is between us.”

A month later Mariana wrote back.

She acknowledged Chloe’s apology and said she would not resume a close relationship until she saw consistent changes over time.

She also told Chloe that forgiveness, if it came, would not mean forgetting what happened.

I was relieved that my wife could choose her own distance without worrying how I would react.