“I know that.”
“I know.”
“Then talk.”
He began.
Not elegantly.
No excuses.
No polished speech.
He told her about the merger.
The job loss.
The severance.
The credit cards.
The fake mornings leaving for work.
The job applications.
The debt.
Vanessa did not interrupt until he said:
“I thought I could fix everything before you found out.”
Then she laughed once.
Coldly.
“Fix what?”
“Our finances.”
“No.”
“You were trying to preserve your reputation.”
Ethan looked at me.
I said nothing.
Vanessa continued:
“You watched me buy baby clothes.”
“I know.”
“You watched me order furniture.”
“I know.”
“You let me talk about taking unpaid leave.”
“I know.”
Her voice rose.
“Stop saying you know!”
A nurse passing outside glanced through the window.
Vanessa lowered her voice.
Then:
