The hope disappeared.
“I need space,” I added.
“Ashley…”
“No.” I held up my hand. “For once, I need to decide what happens next.”
He nodded once.
For the first time, Matthew let me leave without trying to shape where I was going.
“But you never believed I deserved ownership of my own life.”
***
The months that followed were awkward.
Painful.
Necessary.
We began seeing a therapist.
Matthew caught himself dozens of times.
He’d start researching solutions before I asked.
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Then stop.
He’d ask, “What do you think?”
Instead of, “I’ve already handled it.”
At first, I didn’t know how to answer.
“I’ve already handled it.”
Then one afternoon, I made a business decision Matthew quietly disagreed with.
I knew because I saw it flash across his face.
He smiled anyway.
“What do you need from me?” he asked.
I studied him carefully.
“Nothing.”
