Chapter 8 - Milo Thought He Had Caused The Marriage To End
Children personalize adult consequences.
A week after Bianca moved out, Milo asked:
“Is she gone because I told?”
Adrian answered immediately.
“She’s gone because of what she did.”
“But if I didn’t tell?”
Adrian paused.
“She would still have done it.”
“But you wouldn’t know.”
“No.”
“So I made her leave.”
There it was.
The guilt.
Adrian sat beside him.
“No. You told the truth. Adults made decisions because of the truth.”
Milo hugged the teddy bear.
“She said families break when kids complain.”
Adrian felt anger rise again but kept his voice steady.
“That isn’t true.”
“She said you’d be alone.”
“I’d rather be alone than live with someone who makes you afraid.”
Milo looked at him.
“Forever?”
“If that’s what it takes.”
That answer seemed to matter.
Not because Milo wanted his father lonely.
Because he needed proof that his safety was not negotiable against adult companionship.
May you like
For months, Bianca had taught him the opposite.
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