I stared at my phone, the ominous message from Michael blurring before my eyes. Exhaustion and confusion swirled within me as I tried to process the unexpected encounter in the hallway. My legs felt unsteady, the weight of the newborn in my arms grounding me to the reality that had just unfolded.
Michael’s words echoed in my mind, each syllable heavy with a mysterious foreboding. What did he mean by “You don’t know who that man really is”? My thoughts skittered like leaves caught in a gusty wind, each one a different shade of fear and doubt. I glanced at David, who was now gently coaxing our son to sleep, his expression tender and utterly focused. Could there really be something about him that I didn’t know?
Memories of my life with Michael bubbled up, uninvited. Our marriage had ended in a tumult of misunderstandings and unmet expectations. But this was something different. Michael’s reaction had been visceral, a raw blend of recognition and terror that left me reeling. I had never seen him look like that before. What kind of history could he possibly have with David?
