Then the hospital confirmed he had already asked about ending treatment. That was his second mistake. For the first time, he looked afraid.

“You should have stood by your wife.”

“I heard enough.”

We turned to see Elise—weak, pale, but awake.

“Don’t.”

“I want him out.”

By noon, Marcus was removed from the hospital. Within days, his life unraveled—legal trouble, job loss, reputation destroyed. Six months later, Elise stood beside me again, healing and free.

“He thought you were just my mom.”

“I am.”

And that was more than enough.