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assumed they were just going through a phase. She’d never considered the possibility he might walk away from her and their daughter.
    “Please don’t cry,” he said, holding her hands. “I don’t want to hold you back, honey. That’s what this marriage is doing. It’s preventing both of us from having the life we really want.”
    “Hannah…” What would his decision do to her daughter? She adored her daddy. How could they tell her mommy and daddy weren’t going to live together anymore?
    “I don’t believe staying together for her benefit is the best thing for her in the long run. She deserves to see her parents happy and thriving. I don’t believe we can find that kind of happiness in this marriage.”
    She looked at their hands, at the narrow gold bands they’d exchanged when they took their vows in a civil ceremony at the courthouse. A reminder of yet another failure. They hadn’t invited friends or family because the people they loved weren’t speaking to them. They were fresh out of rehab when they made the promise to always be there for each other. After five years of marriage, he was telling her their time was up. It wasn’t fair. She wasn’t ready to let him go. She didn’t know if she was strong enough to do this on her own.
    “I knew things weren’t great,” she said, trying to hold back the tears. “But I didn’t know they’d gotten this bad. How long have you been thinking about ending our marriage?”
    “A while,” he said, lifting a shoulder. “I kept waiting, hoping, praying that things would get better, but they haven’t. I can’t go on living this way. I don’t think you should have to either.”
    “So you’re thinking about me?” She didn’t want to sound bitter, but she did.
    “I’m thinking about what’s best for all three of us.” Her eyes drifted to the computer screen, mainly because looking into his eyes was too painful. He frowned at the screen. “What are you working on?”
    She might as well tell him the whole truth. She had nothing left to lose. “I’ll be finishing up my last two courses in the next few weeks. If I can pass my final exams, I’ll be able to start working.”
    “It doesn’t look like you’re looking for a job,” he said, getting to his feet. “It looks like you’re starting a business. I thought we’d agreed you’d stay home until Hannah started school in the fall?”
    She got angry. He’d just told her he was leaving her, and he thought he still had the right to dictate if and when she started working? “The plan is to start a pre-school for three- and four-year-olds. Hannah could still be with me all the time.”
    “So you’re starting a business? Have you thought about how you’re going to fund it? No offense, but I seriously doubt a bank will give you the money.”
    Katie saved her document and snapped her laptop closed. She’d lost her enthusiasm for the project anyway. “Chris offered me the money for an equity stake in the business.”
    “He did? When?”
    “He stopped by earlier to let me know you had to pass by Drake’s on the way home. I told him about the courses I’d been taking. We talked a little more, and I mentioned the space for lease up the street. He said he thought I should go for it.” Unlike her husband, or soon-to-be ex, Chris had made her feel as though it wasn’t just a silly fantasy.
    “Did he now?” Lee walked toward the back door.
    “Where are you going?”
    “I’m going to have a talk with my buddy about this little business venture of yours. Don’t wait up. I’ll probably just crash there tonight.”
    Katie couldn’t tell if he was angry that his friend had offered her the money. It didn’t matter anymore. If she was going to be a single parent, she definitely couldn’t consider starting a business. Taking on too many life changes at once could compromise her recovery, and that wasn’t a risk she was willing to take.
     
    ***
     
    Chris was watching re-runs of the Big Bang