“You knew?” I asked. Sophie lowered her eyes. She’d discovered the tumor around the same time I’d asked her to leave. I couldn’t understand why she’d faced something so terrifying alone. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Her answer was quiet but devastating. “Because we were already falling apart, Ethan. You had made your decision.” I wanted to argue, but I couldn’t. She was right.

Dr. Keller reminded us that Sophie needed to return to her room. She’d undergone a procedure that morning and desperately needed rest. “What procedure?” I asked, suddenly terrified of the answer. Sophie hesitated as tears slipped down her cheeks. For the first time, I saw how much suffering had existed beyond the version of our failed marriage I’d constructed for myself. As she reached toward the doctor for support, I whispered, “Please, let me stay.” Sophie stopped and looked back at me.