I tried to be patient.
Tony insisted he wanted to give our future children the best possible life.
“I don’t want us struggling financially, Jennifer. When we become parents, I want us to be ready.”
One evening, I finally asked him:
“We have a house, good jobs, and savings. What else do we need?”
He smiled gently.
“A little more time.”
“You’ve been saying that for years.”
“Because I want to be a good father.”
I kissed him.
“That’s why I married you.”
I trusted him completely.
I had no idea that the real reason behind his hesitation had nothing to do with our finances.
—
About a month before everything changed, a new neighbor moved into the house across the street.
Her name was Dakota.
She was twenty-nine, cheerful, and seemed eager to make friends in the neighborhood.
One afternoon, she appeared at our front door holding a plate of homemade cookies.
