“Was it like that with my dad?” I feel a knot in my stomach. I don't want to lie to her, but I also don't want to fill her with words she's not ready to understand. “There was love with your dad too, once,” I reply sincerely. “But sometimes, even if two people love each other, they can't always make things work.” She frowns, confused. “So could the same thing happen with Dylan?” Her reasoning is spot-on, though it pains me to think that, in her mind, stability seems uncertain. “It could happen,” I admit honestly, “but the important thing is that I'm trying to be happy. And I want you to be happy too.” Candace doesn't say anything for a moment, but then she looks up and observes me intently. “Mom, if he makes you cry, will you leave him?” Her question is so direct that it takes me

