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“You never have to take care of my happiness, Noah.”
Jessica stood behind him.
For once, she had nothing to say.
I looked at her.
“I understand that you love Matt.”
She looked down.
“But a child should never be used to hold a marriage together.”
She whispered, “I know.”
“Noah isn’t a solution to an adult problem.”
Matt nodded.
“You’re right.”
We sat down together.
For the first time, Noah told us everything.
Jessica had repeatedly told him that his father became sad whenever he returned to my house. She had said the house felt empty without him and suggested that staying permanently would make everyone happier.
She had even told him that changing schools would give him a fresh start.
Noah had believed every word.
Not because he was gullible.
Because he trusted the adults around him.
That was what hurt the most.
I looked at Matt.
“We need to fix this carefully.”
He nodded.
“I agree.”
There would be no dramatic argument.
No shouting.
No making Noah choose sides.
Instead, Matt told him something every child in a divided family deserves to hear.
“You’re allowed to love both homes.”
Noah looked at him.
“And you never have to choose between your parents.”
His lower lip trembled.
“Really?”
“Really.”
I reached for his hand.
“Your job is to be twelve. Go to school. Play games. Make friends. Worry about homework. Let adults handle adult problems.”
For the first time in days, Noah smiled.
Then he asked the question that had been frightening him.
“Can I still stay here sometimes?”
Matt smiled.
“Of course.”
“And can I go home with Mom?”
“Absolutely.”
Jessica quietly left the room….