Chapter 12 - Monica Finally Said What She Wanted
Monica agreed to attend one counseling session.
Caleb did not want her there.
The therapist asked him to consider it because the incident that pushed him out of the home involved her directly.
He agreed once.
Monica sat across from him.
“I’m sorry I threw your bag outside.”
Caleb stared at her.
“That’s not enough.”
“I know.”
“Why did you want me gone?”
Monica looked at Grant.
Then stopped herself.
For years, she had blamed Grant whenever she wanted to avoid admitting her own choices.
“I wanted a marriage that felt like mine.”
Caleb’s expression did not change.
“You were always angry at me. Every holiday, every photo, every disagreement—you made it obvious there was a version of Grant’s life I would never fully belong to.”
“So you thought I shouldn’t belong instead?”
Monica flinched.
“Yes.”
The honesty surprised him.
She continued.
“I kept telling myself you were disrespectful because Laura had ruined you somehow.”
Caleb’s jaw tightened.
“That’s what Dad told you.”
“Yes.”
“But you still threw the bag.”
“Yes.”
Grant interrupted.
“Monica was under a lot of pressure.”
She turned on him.
“No.”
Grant stopped.
Monica looked back at Caleb.
“That part is mine.”
For the first time, someone in the room refused Grant’s instinct to blur responsibility.
Monica did not ask Caleb to return.
She did not ask him to forgive her.
She told Grant afterward she wanted a temporary separation.
Grant stared at her.
“You’re leaving because of Caleb?”
“No.”
She picked up her purse.
“I’m leaving because I finally saw what happens in this family when everyone makes someone else responsible for the choices they’re afraid to own.”
May you like
Grant was left in the same foyer where Caleb’s bag had landed outside.
This time, nobody else was available to throw something for him.
