David,” she said quietly, “I should have come to you sooner.

I should have told you what I saw.” And I shook my head, because I needed her to hear the truth of it.

“No, Teresa.

You did nothing wrong.

I should have paid enough attention that you felt safe enough to come to me.

That you didn’t is on me, not on you.

You protected me when I wasn’t protecting you, and you did it at a terrible cost, and I am more sorry than I know how to say.”

I told her that whatever she chose to do next, she would be fully supported.