The Boundary I Drew That Day
In the hallway, I kept my voice low, but I didn’t soften it.
“You can’t ask our child to keep secrets from me,” I said. “That’s not coparenting. That’s manipulation.”
James stared at the wall.
“I wasn’t trying to manipulate anyone,” he said. “I was trying to control something that felt out of control.”
“That’s not an excuse,” I replied. “That’s a confession.”
He exhaled, shaky.
“He reached out,” James admitted. “Months ago. He’s been sick. He wanted to meet Lily. He wanted… a second chance.”
“And you decided I shouldn’t know,” I said.
“I decided you’d take her away,” he shot back. “I decided you’d turn this into a court fight.”
I held his gaze.
