As we prepared to leave, Max approached us. His wedding smile had disappeared, and he glanced between Edward and me. “So, what happens now? Are you two actually together?” he asked. I almost laughed. Even then, he was trying to measure my happiness through another man’s interest in me. For thirteen years, I had allowed his opinion to influence how I saw myself. I wasn’t going to continue.
“That isn’t your concern, Max,” I replied calmly, taking my daughters’ hands. Edward smiled beside me but didn’t interrupt. I didn’t need him to answer for me or defend my worth. I had finally found my own voice. Max stood there without another clever remark as we walked away. My youngest daughter looked up at me and asked whether we could get ice cream on the way home. I laughed and told her absolutely. Suddenly, that sounded like a much better way to spend the rest of the afternoon than worrying about what Max thought.
THE STORY CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE… 👇👇👇
