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I can hear the unspoken “for now” in his voice

“We’ll get you out of this I promise”

“Sweetheart, this is my mess, not yours,” he says in a firm voice “You need to worry about your future I’ll worry about my messes You have your own life, and that’s all I want for you”

I s “Pops…” I want to tell hi on it, that it’ll all be okay That a relaxing retireht around the corner and he won’t have to worry about anything

“It’s okay, Saet back to work I just wanted to check on you”

“Okay,” I say, tears stinging my eyes “I love you”

“Love you too Be good”

“Always,” I tell his up, and I sit there, looking at my phone

And I know I’ to stay out the inning just as much as I do A million dollars can buy both of us a fresh start, and it’s the least I can do for the things he’s sacrificed for me

I take a deep breath, then another I can do this I don’t have to be whole when it’s over I just have to h I can rebuild myself later, once I’m away fros

Suck it up, take what pleasure he can give me, and start over once the month is up I can do this

At least, that’s what I’ll keep telling myself

Dante

So’s up Samantha’s withdrawn and quiet, and there’s a distance in her eyes that feels like a punch to the gut every tiet her to talk to me She’s still as responsive as ever when I make love to her, still as sweet and hot and needy, if nother to open up to me at all is practically zero

I’ into a routine I’d let her knohen I’d be home, and either she or I would order delivery I ordinarily don’t cook, and I sure the hell don’t expect her to