On my thirtieth birthday, my mother-in-law raised a toast with the words: «To our silly girl from a poor family who lives off our money», and my husband started laughing loudly at that. Then my father stood up from the table and did something that made my mother-in-law freeze in place…

I was silent, not knowing what to say. Part of me wanted to forgive him; another part screamed about betrayal. «Kyle,» I said finally, «let’s not talk about this now.

I need time. I understand; just know I’ve changed. What happened to your father made me reevaluate a lot.

People tend to change when thunder strikes. These aren’t just words, Paula; I’ve really changed, and I want to prove it to you.» I sighed.

«We’ll see.» At that moment, a nurse approached; Paula, your father is asking for you. «Coming,» I turned to Kyle, «I need to go.

Of course. I’ll wait.» When I entered the room, Dad was sitting on the bed, leaning on pillows.

He looked better, though still weak. «Dad, you wanted something?» «Yes,» he patted the bed next to him. «Sit; let’s talk.»

I sat, taking his hand. «How do you feel?» «Better,» he smiled weakly. Doctors say I’m on the mend.

«That’s true. They’ll discharge you soon.» Dad was silent, looking at me attentively.

«Paula, I want to talk to you about Kyle.» I looked at him in surprise. «You saw him?» «Yes,» he came by.

«While you were at the cafe; apologized for what happened at your birthday. And what did you tell him?» «That I accept his apology.» «But as for your marriage, that’s your business.»

I sighed. «I don’t know what to do, Dad.» Everything’s so tangled.

«I won’t give you advice, daughter. You’re an adult, smart woman, and you know what’s best for you. Just remember, life is too short to waste on people who don’t make you happy.»

I nodded, feeling tears in my eyes. «I know, Dad.» And one more thing; he squeezed my hand.

«Whatever you decide, Mom and I will always be on your side.» I hugged him, careful not to disturb the stitches on his chest. «Thanks, Dad; I love you.»

«I love you, daughter. Now go; your husband is waiting.» I left the room with a heavy heart.

Kyle was sitting in the corridor, flipping through a magazine. Seeing me, he stood. «How’s your father?» «Good.»

«He says you visited him.» «Yes.» Kyle looked embarrassed; wanted to apologize.

«And did it work?» «I think so.» «Your father is an amazing person.» He listened to me without interrupting, then said life is too short for grudges.

I smiled. That was so like Dad: wise, forgiving. «Paula,» Kyle took my hand; let’s take a walk.

I want to tell you something.» We left the hospital and walked along the path leading to a small park. «I’ve reevaluated a lot these days,» Kyle began.

«How I lived, how I treated you, your parents, how I let Mom say all those awful things.» I was silent, not interrupting. You know, I was always a mama’s boy,» he continued with a bitter smirk.

«Did what she wanted, said what she wanted to hear. Even married you partly because she didn’t object. What? I stopped, struck by his words.

No, not like that; he winced. I loved you, really loved, but Mom approved my choice, and that was important to me. She saw in you a girl who could be formatted to our lifestyle.

Formatted. I felt anger boiling inside. Yes, that’s how she put it.

She’ll make a good Harrington if raised properly. I didn’t pay attention to those words then, but I should have. We continued walking, now in silence.

I was digesting what I heard, trying to reconcile the image of Kyle I loved with the man standing next to me now. «Why are you telling me this now?» I asked finally. «Because I want to be honest, because I’m tired of living in the shell my mother created for me, because, because I still love you, and I don’t want to lose you.»

I looked at him in surprise. In his eyes was sincerity I hadn’t seen in a very long time. «Paula,» he stopped and turned to me; «I know I caused you pain, know I betrayed you by laughing with my mother, and I’m not asking for forgiveness; I don’t deserve it; I’m only asking for a chance to prove I can be different, that I’m already changing.»

I was silent, not knowing what to answer. There was too much hurt, too much pain. «I need time, Kyle,» I said finally.

«Time to understand what I really want.» He nodded. «I understand, and I’ll wait as long as needed.»

We returned to the hospital; Kyle said goodbye to Dad and Mom and left back to our city, and I stayed with my parents. In the following days, I thought a lot about our conversation, about my marriage. About what I really wanted from life, whether I was happy with Kyle, whether I still loved him, whether I could forgive the betrayal.

The answers didn’t come easily; part of me wanted to forget everything, return to the old life, give Kyle a chance to improve. Another part screamed about self-respect, that some things can’t be forgiven. Ten days after the surgery, Dad was discharged from the hospital; doctors were pleased with his condition, talked about quick recovery; he was prescribed medications, diet, light exercises.

We decided my parents would stay in New York for a while with Mom’s sister, and I’d return home to handle my affairs. At the airport, saying goodbye to my parents, I hugged Dad, careful not to hurt him. Take care of yourself, Dad, and follow the doctors.

Definitely, he smiled, and don’t forget what we talked about; life is too short. I nodded, feeling a lump in my throat, and Paula, he added quieter; whatever you decide, remember you deserve the best. I flew home with a heavy heart; I didn’t warn Kyle about my return.

Wanted to be alone, gather my thoughts before the inevitable conversation. The taxi dropped me off at our house late in the evening. I went up the elevator, opened the door with my key, and froze on the threshold.

The apartment looked different. Some paintings were gone from the walls, the vase Valerie loved so much, the chairs in the corner of the living room. In their place, new things appeared: simple but stylish.

Bookshelves I’d always wanted but Kyle considered too ordinary. Photos: mine with parents, with friends. I walked through the rooms, amazed at the changes.

In the bedroom on the bed lay a note. «Paula, if you’re reading this, you’ve returned. I’m living with my parents; didn’t want to bother you.

I changed the apartment a bit, removed Mom’s gifts you always said weren’t your taste. Hope you like it. Call when you’re ready to talk.

Kyle.» I sat on the bed, rereading the note. Kyle was really trying to change.

He remembered all my complaints about the tasteless but expensive things Valerie had filled our apartment with. Remembered and fixed. But was that enough? Could a remodel compensate for years of neglect, mockery, humiliation? I took a shower and went to bed, deciding to postpone all decisions until morning.

But sleep didn’t come. I tossed in bed, thinking about Kyle, our marriage, what Dad said. In the morning, I called Kyle.

«Hi,» he said, and I heard hope in his voice. «You’re back?» «Yes, last night. Thanks for the remodel; it looks different.

Do you like it?» «Yes, I do.» We were silent. The conversation wasn’t flowing, as if we were strangers.

«Kyle,» I said finally, «we need to talk.» «I know.» «When?» «Tonight.»..