Chapter 5

“Last Sunday,” Ruth said. “Daniel told me that even if the two of you needed some time apart, it wouldn’t affect our family traditions. He said you had agreed.”

“I never agreed to that.”

There was a brief pause on the other end.

“Hannah, he’s already going through a difficult time. You don’t have to shut out the entire family.”

I didn’t keep explaining. I told her to find someone else to host Thanksgiving and ended the call.

That evening, Daniel came to collect the rest of his clothes.

When the doorbell rang, Elise was standing behind him with a folder in her arms.

I didn’t let her inside.

“She’s only here to help me organize a few things,” Daniel said.

Elise removed a sheet of paper from the folder and held it out to me.

It listed the Thanksgiving shopping, guest confirmations, and the budget for Arthur’s retirement gift.

My name appeared beside every task.

“What is this?”

“The family plans,” Daniel said carefully. “Our problems shouldn’t affect our parents and relatives. You know how everything works, so just continue with the original arrangements.”

“And then what? You sit beside Elise at the head of the table while I cook and clean?”

Elise tightened her grip on the folder. “I’ve never wanted to take your family away from you. You’ve always handled those things.”

“You want my husband. You just don’t want the responsibilities that come with his life.”

“I only want Daniel to be honest about his feelings.”

“How convenient.”

Daniel frowned. “Don’t attack her. This list has nothing to do with Elise.”

“She’s standing on my doorstep holding it, telling me which parts of being your wife still belong to me.”

Daniel took the paper from her. “Hannah, you’re good at this. Everyone is used to you handling it. A separation doesn’t need to become a punishment for the entire family.”

“Refusing to keep serving you isn’t a punishment.”

“You canceled the brunch and announced our private problems in the group chat. Now you’re refusing to help with Thanksgiving. How many people do you plan to punish because you’re upset?”

I stared at him. “You told an entire room that you loved her, and somehow my reaction is the problem?”

Daniel lowered his voice. “I already told my family that you understood my relationship with Elise. Stop making this uglier than it needs to be.”

“When did I ever say I understood?”

“Before the dinner, we discussed including Elise in important family occasions. You said of course she should be included.”

“I agreed to invite her. I never agreed to give her my seat, and I certainly didn’t agree to cover for the two of you.”

Elise turned to Daniel. “You told me she agreed.”

“She’s angry right now,” he said quickly.

My phone chimed.

The restaurant coordinator had sent confirmation that the anniversary brunch was canceled.

Beneath it, she had forwarded an email she had found in the event records.

It was from Daniel, dated one week before our anniversary dinner.

Move Hannah to table twelve and seat Elise beside me. Don’t tell Hannah yet. I’ll explain during dinner. She’ll understand eventually.

I turned the screen toward them.

After Elise read it, she stopped looking at me.

Daniel reached for my phone. “Don’t send that. We can discuss this privately.”

I opened the Reed family group chat and attached the email. A row of family names filled the screen.

My thumb rested over Send.

“No,” I said. “You don’t get to use my silence as consent.”