“Thank you for acknowledging it,” I said.

“Can we start over?” he asked. “Differently this time?”

“It depends on your actions.”

I reminded him that my limitations would remain unchanged.

The visits had to be mutual.

The babysitting service had to be requested, not assigned.

My time could no longer be considered less important than anyone else’s.

Robert nodded.

“Lucy and I want to do better.”

We talked for almost an hour.

It was a cautious and sometimes uncomfortable, but honest approach.

When she left, I felt hopeful.

Not because I needed his return to complete my life.

Because rebuilding a relationship based on respect was possible if both people were willing to participate.

I didn’t know if Amanda would come back.

I didn’t know if our family would ever appear again.

But I understood something even more important.

My serenity did not depend on my children changing.