Russell smiled.
“Because you know what security feels like when you’ve lived without it.”
I couldn’t speak.
He leaned back.
“And because the first thing I ever noticed
about you was that your feet hurt.”
I laughed through tears.
“That was real?”
“Every part of that moment was real.”
For years I had wondered whether anything between us had been untouched by manipulation.
Now I understood something simpler.
Relationships don’t become real because they begin perfectly.
Sometimes they become real because, eventually, **someone chooses to stop lying.**
I looked at Russell.
“There’s something I need to tell you.”
His expression changed.
“What?”
I took a breath.
“I filed for an annulment.”
Everyone went silent.
Claire whispered, “Oh.”
Russell stared at me.
I continued.
“Our marriage began under false pretenses. There were things neither of us understood.”
He nodded slowly.
“I understand.”
“But.”
He looked up.
“I don’t want you out of my life.”
His eyes filled.
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying I don’t know what we are.”
A sad smile.
“Fair.”“But I know I love you.”
Claire began crying harder.
“Oh, for God’s sake.”
Daniel handed her a tissue.
I looked at Russell.
“Not because of the house.”
He smiled.
“I know.”
“Not because of the money.”
