Who Taught You That

“Your mother raised you badly. That’s true. But you were the one who picked up the chair,” I said. “You chose to obey her cruelty.”

He lowered his gaze.

“I can change.”

“Then do it for your own sake. Far away from me.”

He picked up the pen and signed.

PART 4

The divorce went through quickly. I got my down payment back, and I gave up any claim to the apartment. I had no interest in living inside walls I’d paid for if every corner was going to remind me of that night.