He stood there speechless. Alyssa stared at him like she’d just realized she’d tied her future to a man who couldn’t keep his life together.

I turned and walked away.

Back at home, the kids were waiting for me.

I crouched down and hugged each one of them. Rose held on a little longer than the others.

“Is Daddy coming home?” she asked.

“No, baby,” I said gently. “Not today.”

She frowned. “Tomorrow?”

I took a slow breath.

“Maybe not for a while,” I said softly. “But I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere.”

For the first time, I was choosing myself—and my children.

He had made his decision.

And now, so had I.