“Yes.”

For the first time, she didn’t tell me how ungrateful I was for agreeing.

“I don’t know how to fix it,” she whispered.

“You can start by telling the truth without saying but afterward.

You can apologize to Mariana without demanding she accept it.

And you can respect our boundaries whether she forgives you or not.”

She looked down at her hands.

I did not leave the garden with a healed relationship.